State of North Dakota
North Dakota.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
12
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
0
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ North Dakota requires registered nurses to complete 12 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 North Dakota.
North Dakota has approximately 15,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 780,000. Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius are the major employers, with facilities in Fargo and Bismarck. North Dakota's rural communities face healthcare access challenges, particularly in western oil-producing regions.
North Dakota requires 12 contact hours of continuing education annually for RN license renewal. North Dakota accepts CE from providers accredited by national nursing organizations. The state does not mandate specific course topics.
Common practice settings
Sanford Health
The largest health system in the Dakotas operates facilities throughout North Dakota.
Oil Field Communities
Western North Dakota's energy industry creates demand for emergency and occupational health nursing.
Tribal Health
Several reservations have IHS and tribal health facilities serving Native American populations.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 12 contact hours annually.
02
Use nationally accredited providers.
03
Keep certificates for at least 4 years.
04
Consider telehealth CE for serving rural populations.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in North Dakota
North Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses in border areas near Minnesota, South Dakota, or Montana.
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
12
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
- Low CE requirement.
- Hours must relate to nursing practice.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
12
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
- Same requirements as RN.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
12
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
12
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
12
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
12
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
12
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. North Dakota requires 12 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Minnesota requires more (24 hours), while South Dakota has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, North Dakota allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Track your CEUs
Log courses, monitor progress toward North Dakota requirements.
Open tracker →
Compare states
See how North Dakota stacks up.
Compare →
Compact license guide
What the NLC means for North Dakota nurses.
Read guide →
Audit preparation
Be ready if North Dakota audits your CE compliance.
Read guide →
Verify with the source
North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Verify before relying on this