District of Columbia
Non-CompactNursing Continuing Education Requirements
District of Columbia Nursing CEU Overview
District of Columbia requires registered nurses to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
The District of Columbia Board of Nursing requires specific mandatory topics, including HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ/Cultural Awareness. These topics must be completed according to the frequency specified by the board.
All continuing education hours may be completed online through approved providers. Always verify course accreditation with the District of Columbia Board of Nursing before enrolling.
Nursing in District of Columbia
The District of Columbia has approximately 25,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 700,000, though the workforce serves the much larger metropolitan region. DC is home to prominent academic medical centers including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in nearby Bethesda.
The District of Columbia requires 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. DC mandates specific training in recognizing and reporting human trafficking and child abuse. The diverse patient population in the nation's capital requires nurses to maintain broad competencies in cultural awareness and specialized care.
Common Practice Settings in District of Columbia
Academic Medical Centers
Georgetown and GW hospitals provide teaching opportunities and access to specialized care programs.
Federal Facilities
NIH, military hospitals, and federal agencies employ nurses in research and clinical roles with unique requirements.
Community Health Centers
Unity Health Care and other FQHCs serve DC's diverse population, including many uninsured residents.
District of Columbia License Renewal Tips
Complete mandatory human trafficking and child abuse reporting training.
Federal employers may have additional CE requirements beyond DC licensure.
Many DC employers provide CE opportunities that count toward renewal.
Consider courses addressing health disparities given DC's diverse population.
Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
24
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
HIV/AIDS Required for each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
LGBTQ/Cultural Awareness Cultural competence training required each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Must complete 2 hours HIV/AIDS education each renewal period.
- Must complete 2 hours LGBTQ/cultural awareness each renewal.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
18
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
HIV/AIDS Required for each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
LGBTQ/Cultural Awareness Cultural competence training required each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Must complete 2 hours HIV/AIDS education each renewal period.
- LPNs require 18 contact hours per renewal cycle.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
24
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
HIV/AIDS Required for each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
LGBTQ/Cultural Awareness Cultural competence training required each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
24
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
HIV/AIDS Required for each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
24
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
HIV/AIDS Required for each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
24
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
HIV/AIDS Required for each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
24
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
HIV/AIDS Required for each renewal | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
District of Columbia requires 24 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, Maryland has no general CE requirement, while Virginia has no general CE requirement. District of Columbia is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses need a separate license to practice here.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward District of Columbia requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how District of Columbia compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →District of Columbia Board of Nursing
(202) 724-4900
899 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the District of Columbia Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.