Pennsylvania
Compact StateNursing Continuing Education Requirements
Pennsylvania Nursing CEU Overview
Pennsylvania requires registered nurses to complete 30 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.
The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing requires specific mandatory topics, including Child Abuse Recognition, Opioid Education. 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing before enrolling.
Nursing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has approximately 215,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 13 million. Philadelphia is home to major academic centers including Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, and Temple University Hospital, while Pittsburgh has UPMC and Allegheny Health Network. Pennsylvania's strong nursing education infrastructure produces thousands of new graduates annually.
Pennsylvania requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. Pennsylvania mandates specific training including at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting, and 2 hours of patient safety and quality. The state accepts CE from nationally accredited providers.
Common Practice Settings in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Academic Centers
Penn Medicine, Jefferson, and Temple offer nurses access to specialty practice and research.
Pittsburgh Health Systems
UPMC is one of the largest integrated health systems in the nation.
Rural PA
Central and northern Pennsylvania face nursing shortages and hospital closures.
Pennsylvania License Renewal Tips
Complete 30 contact hours, including child abuse and patient safety training.
Use nationally accredited CE providers.
Keep certificates for at least 5 years.
Consider opioid-related CE given Pennsylvania's substance use challenges.
Nurse Licensure Compact in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work in border areas near New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, or New York.
Learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact →Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Child Abuse Recognition Required for patient contact RNs | 2 | Each renewal |
Opioid Education For prescribers with DEA number | 2 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Child abuse education (2 hours) required for patient contact nurses each renewal.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Child Abuse Recognition Required for patient contact LPNs | 2 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Child abuse education (2 hours) required for patient contact nurses each renewal.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Child Abuse Recognition Required for patient contact APRNs | 2 | Each renewal |
Opioid Education For prescribers with DEA number | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 16 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers have additional pharmacology requirement.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Child Abuse Recognition Required for patient contact APRNs | 2 | Each renewal |
Opioid Education For prescribers with DEA number | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 16 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers have additional pharmacology requirement.
- Child abuse education (2 hours) required each renewal.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Child Abuse Recognition Required for patient contact APRNs | 2 | Each renewal |
Opioid Education For prescribers with DEA number | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 16 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers have additional pharmacology requirement.
- Child abuse education (2 hours) required each renewal.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Child Abuse Recognition Required for patient contact APRNs | 2 | Each renewal |
Opioid Education For prescribers with DEA number | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 16 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers have additional pharmacology requirement.
- Child abuse education (2 hours) required each renewal.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Child Abuse Recognition Required for patient contact APRNs | 2 | Each renewal |
Opioid Education For prescribers with DEA number | 2 | Each renewal |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 16 | Each renewal |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers have additional pharmacology requirement.
- Child abuse education (2 hours) required each renewal.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
Pennsylvania requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, New York requires fewer (4 hours), while New Jersey has similar requirements (30 hours). As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Pennsylvania allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward Pennsylvania requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how Pennsylvania compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →Compact License Guide
Learn how the Nurse Licensure Compact works for Pennsylvania nurses.
Read Guide →Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.