Kentucky
Compact StateNursing Continuing Education Requirements
Kentucky Nursing CEU Overview
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.
The Kentucky Board of Nursing requires specific mandatory topics, including Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse, Suicide Prevention, and more. 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 Kentucky Board of Nursing before enrolling.
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 in Kentucky
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.
Kentucky License Renewal Tips
Complete at least 14 contact hours annually, with 3+ being live education.
Track your mandatory topic completions including abuse recognition training.
Consider opioid-related CE given Kentucky's ongoing substance use challenges.
Keep certificates for at least 5 years for audit purposes.
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.
Learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact →Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
14
Renewal Cycle
1 year
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement for initial licensure | 1.5 | One-time |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3 | One-time |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial licensure
Notes
- Annual renewal cycle.
- Lower hours but annual requirement.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
14
Renewal Cycle
1 year
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement for initial licensure | 1.5 | One-time |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3 | One-time |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial licensure
Notes
- Annual renewal cycle.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
14
Renewal Cycle
1 year
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3 | One-time |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
14
Renewal Cycle
1 year
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3 | One-time |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
14
Renewal Cycle
1 year
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3 | One-time |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
14
Renewal Cycle
1 year
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3 | One-time |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
14
Renewal Cycle
1 year
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse One-time requirement | 3 | One-time |
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Implicit Bias One-time requirement | 1.5 | One-time |
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care One-time requirement | 1 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Multiple one-time mandatory topics required.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
Kentucky requires 14 contact hours every 1 year for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, 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.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward Kentucky requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how Kentucky compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →Kentucky Board of Nursing
(502) 429-3300
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Kentucky Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.