State of Ohio
Ohio.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
24
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topic
1
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Ohio requires registered nurses to complete 24 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 Ohio.
Ohio has approximately 205,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 11.8 million. Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and UC Health are among the major employers. Ohio's healthcare industry is a significant economic driver, with Cleveland Clinic alone employing over 70,000 people.
Ohio requires 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. Ohio mandates at least 1 hour in specific topics including Category A courses (law and rules). The state accepts CE from nationally accredited providers approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Common practice settings
Cleveland Clinic
World-renowned for cardiac care, Cleveland Clinic offers nurses access to specialty practice and innovation.
Academic Medical Centers
OSU, University of Cincinnati, and Case Western hospitals provide teaching opportunities.
Rural Appalachia
Southeastern Ohio faces healthcare shortages and high rates of chronic disease and opioid use.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 24 contact hours, including at least 1 hour of Category A content.
02
Use Ohio Board-approved or nationally accredited providers.
03
Keep certificates for at least 6 years.
04
Consider opioid-related CE given Ohio's substance use challenges.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Ohio
Ohio is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work in border areas near Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, or Michigan.
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
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Category A Ohio law, rules, nursing or related field | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Must include 1 hour Category A education each renewal.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Category A Ohio law, rules, nursing or related field | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Category A Ohio law, rules, nursing or related field | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Category A Ohio law, rules, nursing or related field | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Category A Ohio law, rules, nursing or related field | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Category A Ohio law, rules, nursing or related field | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Category A Ohio law, rules, nursing or related field | 1h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
In context. Ohio requires 24 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Michigan requires more (25 hours), while Indiana has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Ohio allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Ohio Board of Nursing.
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