State of Kentucky
Kentucky.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 1 year
14
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
5
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Kentucky requires registered nurses to complete 14 contact hours of continuing education every 1 year to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in Kentucky.
Kentucky has approximately 70,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 4.5 million. Louisville is the healthcare hub, home to Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health, while the University of Kentucky in Lexington provides academic medical services. Kentucky faces significant health challenges including high rates of chronic disease and opioid use disorders.
Kentucky requires a minimum of 14 contact hours of continuing education annually, with at least 3 hours being face-to-face (live) education. Kentucky has specific CE requirements related to pediatric abusive head trauma recognition, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS. The state's opioid crisis has led to additional training requirements for pain management and controlled substances.
Common practice settings
Appalachian Coalfields
Eastern Kentucky communities face significant health disparities and nursing shortages, with many residents lacking healthcare access.
Louisville Health Systems
Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health are major employers offering diverse specialty nursing opportunities.
Rural Health Clinics
Many Kentucky counties rely on rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers for primary care.
Renewal tips
01
Complete at least 14 contact hours annually, with 3+ being live education.
02
Track your mandatory topic completions including abuse recognition training.
03
Consider opioid-related CE given Kentucky's ongoing substance use challenges.
04
Keep certificates for at least 5 years for audit purposes.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Kentucky
Kentucky is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This is valuable for nurses in border cities like Covington (near Cincinnati), Louisville (near Indiana), and those serving communities near Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
14
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement for initial licensure | 1.5h |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3h |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2h |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial licensure
Notes
- Annual renewal cycle.
- Lower hours but annual requirement.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
14
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement for initial licensure | 1.5h |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3h |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2h |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial licensure
Notes
- Annual renewal cycle.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
14
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3h |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2h |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
14
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3h |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2h |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
14
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3h |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2h |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
14
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3h |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2h |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
14
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3h |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2h |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5h |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
Additional requirements
In context. Kentucky requires 14 contact hours every 1 year for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Indiana has no general CE requirement, while Ohio requires more (24 hours). As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Kentucky allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Kentucky Board of Nursing.
(502) 429-3300
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222
Verify before relying on this