New York
Non-CompactNursing Continuing Education Requirements
New York Nursing CEU Overview
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.
The New York Board of Nursing requires specific mandatory topics, including Infection Control, Child Abuse. 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 New York State Education Department Office of the Professions before enrolling.
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 in New York
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.
New York License Renewal Tips
Complete infection control training as required.
Employers typically require additional ongoing education.
Maintain specialty certifications with their CE requirements.
Child abuse recognition training may be required based on your practice setting.
Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
4
Renewal Cycle
3 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Infection Control NYSED-approved course with 7 core elements required every 4 years (no specific hour requirement) | 0 | Every undefined years |
Child Abuse One-time requirement - NEW: Updated training required by November 17, 2026 per Chapter 25 of Laws of 2024 | 2 | One-time |
Notes
- 3-year (triennial) renewal cycle - renews every 3 years on birth month.
- 4 contact hours required per 3-year period for RNs.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
3
Renewal Cycle
3 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Infection Control NYSED-approved course with 7 core elements required every 4 years | 0 | Every undefined years |
Child Abuse One-time requirement - NEW: Updated training required by November 17, 2026 | 2 | One-time |
Notes
- 3-year (triennial) renewal cycle.
- 3 contact hours required per 3-year period for LPNs.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
4
Renewal Cycle
3 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Infection Control NYSED-approved course required every 4 years | 0 | Every undefined years |
Child Abuse One-time - updated training required by November 17, 2026 | 2 | One-time |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers with DEA registration | 3 | Each renewal |
Notes
- 3-year (triennial) renewal cycle.
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each renewal.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
4
Renewal Cycle
3 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Infection Control NYSED-approved course required every 4 years | 0 | Every undefined years |
Child Abuse One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers | 3 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each 4-year period.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
3
Renewal Cycle
4 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Infection Control One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Child Abuse One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers | 3 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each 4-year period.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
3
Renewal Cycle
4 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Infection Control One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Child Abuse One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers | 3 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each 4-year period.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
3
Renewal Cycle
4 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Infection Control One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Child Abuse One-time requirement | 2 | One-time |
Pain Management and Opioids For prescribers | 3 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Prescribers need pain/opioid CE each 4-year period.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
New York requires 4 contact hours every 3 years for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, 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.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward New York requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how New York compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the New York Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.