State of Oregon
Oregon.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, none required
0
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
2
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Oregon does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal, one of the few states without mandatory CE for registered nurses.
Nursing in Oregon.
Oregon has approximately 55,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 4.2 million. Portland is home to Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health, and Legacy Health. Oregon has expanded nurse practitioner scope of practice, making it a favorable state for advanced practice nursing.
Oregon requires evidence of continued competency, which can be met through various methods including completing 7 hours of pain management education and at least one additional way to demonstrate competency. Options include CE courses, practice hours, teaching, or certification. This flexible approach allows nurses to demonstrate competency through various professional activities.
Common practice settings
OHSU
The academic medical center provides specialty care and nursing education opportunities.
Portland Health Systems
Providence and Legacy health systems operate numerous facilities in the Portland metro.
Rural Oregon
Eastern and coastal Oregon face healthcare access challenges and nursing shortages.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 7 hours of pain management education as required.
02
Choose at least one additional competency method from available options.
03
Document your competency activities thoroughly.
04
Consider rural health topics if practicing outside the Portland area.
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
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Pain Management One-time requirement for DEA holders | 7h |
Cultural Competency Required each renewal | 2h |
Notes
- Oregon does not require general CE for RN renewal.
- One-time pain management for DEA holders only.
- 2 hours cultural competency required each renewal.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Cultural Competency Required each renewal | 2h |
Notes
- Oregon does not require general continuing education for LPN renewal.
- 2 hours cultural competency required each renewal.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Pain Management One-time requirement for DEA holders | 7h |
Cultural Competency Required each renewal | 2h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- 2 hours cultural competency required each renewal.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Pain Management One-time requirement for DEA holders | 7h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Pain Management One-time requirement for DEA holders | 7h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Pain Management One-time requirement for DEA holders | 7h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Pain Management One-time requirement for DEA holders | 7h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional requirements
In context. Oregon does not require general CE for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Washington requires 8 hours, while Idaho also has no general CE requirement. Oregon is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses need a separate license to practice here.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Oregon State Board of Nursing.
Verify before relying on this