State of New Hampshire
New Hampshire.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
30
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
0
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ New Hampshire requires registered nurses to complete 30 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.
Nursing in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire has approximately 20,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 1.4 million. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon is the state's only academic medical center and largest employer. New Hampshire's aging population and growing southern region create ongoing demand for nursing professionals.
New Hampshire requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. New Hampshire does not mandate specific course topics, allowing nurses to choose education relevant to their practice areas. The state accepts CE from nationally accredited providers.
Common practice settings
Dartmouth-Hitchcock
The academic medical center serves as a regional referral center for northern New England.
Southern NH Hospitals
The growing southern region near Boston has multiple hospitals serving commuter communities.
Long-term Care
New Hampshire's older population creates demand for skilled nursing and home health services.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 30 contact hours before your biennial renewal deadline.
02
Use nationally accredited CE providers.
03
Keep certificates for at least 5 years.
04
Consider geriatric CE given New Hampshire's aging population.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This allows nurses to practice in other compact states, valuable for those who may work in Maine or provide telehealth services.
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
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for RN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- All hours must relate to nursing practice.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for LPN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- All hours must relate to nursing practice.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for APRN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for NP renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CNS renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CNM renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CRNA renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
In context. New Hampshire requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Maine has no general CE requirement, while Massachusetts requires fewer (15 hours). As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, New Hampshire allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Track your CEUs
Log courses, monitor progress toward New Hampshire requirements.
Open tracker →
Compare states
See how New Hampshire stacks up.
Compare →
Compact license guide
What the NLC means for New Hampshire nurses.
Read guide →
Audit preparation
Be ready if New Hampshire audits your CE compliance.
Read guide →
Verify with the source
New Hampshire Board of Nursing.
Verify before relying on this