State of New York
New York.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 3 years
4
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
2
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ New York requires registered nurses to complete 4 contact hours of continuing education every 3 years to maintain an active license. CE requirements apply to all renewal periods, including the first renewal after initial licensure.
Nursing in New York.
New York has approximately 320,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 19.5 million. New York City is home to world-renowned academic medical centers including NYU Langone, NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. The state faces nursing distribution challenges, with upstate rural areas experiencing shortages while NYC remains competitive.
New York requires at least one hour of continuing education in infection control every four years. There is no general CE requirement for most nurses, but specific trainings are mandated for certain populations including child abuse recognition. This minimal requirement reflects New York's reliance on employer-based education.
Common practice settings
NYC Academic Centers
World-class teaching hospitals offer nurses access to specialty practice and research opportunities.
Upstate Systems
Health systems in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse serve regional populations.
Public Health
New York City's Department of Health employs nurses in public health roles.
Renewal tips
01
Complete infection control training as required.
02
Employers typically require additional ongoing education.
03
Maintain specialty certifications with their CE requirements.
04
Child abuse recognition training may be required based on your practice setting.
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
4
every 3 years
Renewal cycle
3
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Infection Control NYSED-approved course with 7 core elements required every 4 years (no specific hour requirement) | 0h |
Child Abuse One-time requirement - NEW: Updated training required by November 17, 2026 per Chapter 25 of Laws of 2024 | 2h |
Notes
- 3-year (triennial) renewal cycle - renews every 3 years on birth month.
- 4 contact hours required per 3-year period for RNs.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
3
every 3 years
Renewal cycle
3
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Infection Control NYSED-approved course with 7 core elements required every 4 years | 0h |
Child Abuse One-time requirement - NEW: Updated training required by November 17, 2026 | 2h |
Notes
- 3-year (triennial) renewal cycle.
- 3 contact hours required per 3-year period for LPNs.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
4
every 3 years
Renewal cycle
3
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Infection Control NYSED-approved course required every 4 years | 0h |
Child Abuse One-time - updated training required by November 17, 2026 | 2h |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers with DEA registration | 3h |
Notes
- 3-year (triennial) renewal cycle.
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each renewal.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
4
every 3 years
Renewal cycle
3
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Infection Control NYSED-approved course required every 4 years | 0h |
Child Abuse One-time requirement | 2h |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers | 3h |
Notes
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each 4-year period.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
3
every 4 years
Renewal cycle
4
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Infection Control One-time requirement | 2h |
Child Abuse One-time requirement | 2h |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers | 3h |
Notes
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each 4-year period.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
3
every 4 years
Renewal cycle
4
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Infection Control One-time requirement | 2h |
Child Abuse One-time requirement | 2h |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers | 3h |
Notes
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each 4-year period.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
3
every 4 years
Renewal cycle
4
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Infection Control One-time requirement | 2h |
Child Abuse One-time requirement | 2h |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers | 3h |
Notes
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each 4-year period.
Additional requirements
In context. New York requires 4 contact hours every 3 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Pennsylvania requires more (30 hours), while New Jersey requires more (30 hours). New York is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses need a separate license to practice here.
Continue.
Verify with the source
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
Verify before relying on this