Nurses · Pennsylvania · Continuing education
Pennsylvania Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- RN30 hours every 2 years, including 2 h child abuse recognition & reporting, 2 h organ & tissue donation (once); renewal on the date shown on your license.
- Pennsylvania does not require CE hours for LPN license renewal; renewal by June 30 in even-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Pennsylvania RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Board-approved continuing education (programs/courses, accredited academic courses, publications, research; school nurses via Dept. of Education certification)
- Renewal fee
- $122
- Carryover
- Not allowed.
- New licensees
- First renewal after initial licensure is exempt from the 30 hours, but not from the 2-hour child abuse training.
- Audits & records
- Board may audit; keep CE documentation at least 5 years. Shortfalls must be made up within 6 months of notice; civil penalties apply.
- Renew online
- www.pals.pa.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Child abuse recognition & reportingDHS-approved Act 31 course; the provider reports completion to the Board | 2 | every renewal |
| Organ & tissue donationfrom May 1, 2026; once within 5 years of renewal (licensed before May 1, 2026), of initial licensure or of reactivation; part of the 30 hours | 2 | once |
Good to know. Biennial renewal; RN licenses expire on one of four Board-set dates (April 30 or Oct 31, even or odd years). Hardship waiver on request.
Source: www.pacodeandbulletin.gov · 49 Pa. Code § 21.131 · checked Oct 28, 2026
Pennsylvania LPN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- Noneno hours set
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Jun 30, even yrs
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- By June 30 in even-numbered years
- Renewal fee
- $76
- Renew online
- www.pals.pa.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Child abuse recognition & reportingDHS-approved Act 31 course; the provider reports completion to the Board | 2 | every renewal |
Good to know. No general CE for LPNs; the only renewal education is 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting each biennium. Licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years. Fee shown is for a single-state license.
Source: www.pa.gov · 49 Pa. Code § 21.156(b.1) · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Pennsylvania
05 Questions
How do I verify a nurse license in Pennsylvania?
Use the license lookup of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do nurses need in Pennsylvania?
RN: 30 hours every 2 years. LPN: No set number of hours.
Which CE courses count for nurses in Pennsylvania?
RN: Board-approved continuing education (programs/courses, accredited academic courses, publications, research; school nurses via Dept. of Education certification).
How much does a nurse license renewal cost in Pennsylvania?
RN: $122 per renewal, as listed by the board. LPN: $76 per renewal, as listed by the board.
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in Pennsylvania?
RN: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle). LPN: Licenses renew by June 30 in even-numbered years (2 years cycle).
How do nurses report CE in Pennsylvania?
RN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.