State of New Jersey
New Jersey.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
30
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topic
1
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ New Jersey 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 Jersey.
New Jersey has approximately 125,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 9.3 million. The state has numerous hospitals and health systems including RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Atlantic Health System. New Jersey's proximity to New York City and Philadelphia creates competitive labor markets for nursing talent.
New Jersey requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. New Jersey mandates at least one hour of training in the pharmacy law section of prescriptive authority for APRNs. The state accepts CE from nationally accredited providers.
Common practice settings
Large Health Systems
RWJBarnabas and Hackensack Meridian operate numerous hospitals throughout the state.
Pharmaceutical Industry
New Jersey's pharmaceutical companies employ nurses in research, education, and clinical trial roles.
Shore Communities
Coastal areas see seasonal population increases requiring flexible healthcare staffing.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 30 contact hours before your biennial renewal.
02
APRNs must complete pharmacy law training.
03
Use nationally accredited CE providers.
04
Keep certificates for at least 4 years.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in New Jersey
New Jersey is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This is particularly valuable for nurses who may work across state lines in nearby Pennsylvania or Delaware.
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
Opioid Prescribing Opioid education required each renewal | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Must complete opioid education each renewal.
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
Opioid Prescribing Opioid education required each renewal | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
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
Opioid Prescribing Opioid education required each renewal | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 6h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need additional pharmacology CE.
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
Opioid Prescribing Opioid education required each renewal | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 6h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need additional pharmacology CE.
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
Opioid Prescribing Opioid education required each renewal | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 6h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need additional pharmacology CE.
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
Opioid Prescribing Opioid education required each renewal | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 6h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need additional pharmacology CE.
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
Opioid Prescribing Opioid education required each renewal | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 6h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need additional pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
In context. New Jersey requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, New York requires fewer (4 hours), while Pennsylvania has similar requirements (30 hours). As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, New Jersey allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Verify before relying on this