North Carolina
Compact StateNursing Continuing Education Requirements
North Carolina Nursing CEU Overview
North Carolina requires registered nurses to complete 15 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. CE requirements apply to all renewal periods, including the first renewal after initial licensure.
North Carolina does not require specific mandatory topics. Nurses have flexibility to choose CE courses that align with their practice area and professional development goals.
All continuing education hours may be completed online through approved providers. Always verify course accreditation with the North Carolina Board of Nursing before enrolling.
Nursing in North Carolina
North Carolina has approximately 145,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 10.7 million. The Research Triangle area is home to Duke University Hospital, UNC Hospitals, and WakeMed, while Charlotte has Atrium Health and Novant Health. North Carolina's rapidly growing population creates ongoing demand for nursing professionals.
North Carolina does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal. The state relies on initial education standards and employer-based competency requirements. Specialty certifications and advanced practice designations have their own CE requirements.
Common Practice Settings in North Carolina
Research Triangle
Duke and UNC hospitals offer nurses access to academic medicine and pharmaceutical research.
Charlotte Health Systems
Atrium Health and Novant Health operate numerous facilities in the growing Charlotte metro.
Rural Eastern NC
Eastern North Carolina faces nursing shortages and health disparities.
North Carolina License Renewal Tips
Although CE is not state-mandated, employers typically require ongoing education.
Maintain specialty certifications and their CE requirements.
Document continuing education for your professional portfolio.
Consider rural health topics if practicing in underserved areas.
Nurse Licensure Compact in North Carolina
North Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits the many travel nurses who work in the state and those in border communities near Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, or Georgia.
Learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact →Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
15
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- NC requires continuing competence - must complete self-assessment, learning plan, and ONE of these options:.
- Option 1 (most common): 15 contact hours CE + 640 hours active practice (within past 2 years).
- Option 2: 30 contact hours of CE.
- Option 3: National certification or recertification.
- Option 4: 2 semester hours post-licensure academic education.
- Failure to comply results in inactive license status.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
15
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- NC requires continuing competence - must complete self-assessment, learning plan, and ONE of these options:.
- Option 1 (most common): 15 contact hours CE + 640 hours active practice (within past 2 years).
- Option 2: 30 contact hours of CE.
- Option 3: National certification or recertification.
- Option 4: 2 semester hours post-licensure academic education.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
North Carolina requires 15 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, Virginia has no general CE requirement, while Tennessee has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, North Carolina allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward North Carolina requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how North Carolina compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →Compact License Guide
Learn how the Nurse Licensure Compact works for North Carolina nurses.
Read Guide →North Carolina Board of Nursing
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the North Carolina Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.