State of Rhode Island
Rhode Island.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
10
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
2
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Rhode Island requires registered nurses to complete 10 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 Rhode Island.
Rhode Island has approximately 16,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 1.1 million. Lifespan, based in Providence, is the largest employer and operates Rhode Island Hospital, which is affiliated with Brown University. Rhode Island's small size means many nurses can easily access major medical centers regardless of where they live.
Rhode Island requires 10 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. Rhode Island does not mandate specific course topics, allowing nurses flexibility in choosing education relevant to their practice areas. The state accepts CE from nationally accredited providers.
Common practice settings
Lifespan
The largest health system operates Rhode Island Hospital and other facilities throughout the state.
Brown University Affiliates
Teaching affiliations with Brown provide access to academic medicine.
Community Health Centers
FQHCs serve Rhode Island's diverse urban populations.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 10 contact hours before your biennial renewal.
02
Use nationally accredited providers.
03
Keep certificates for at least 4 years.
04
Consider cultural competency CE given Rhode Island's diverse population.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This allows Rhode Island nurses to practice in other compact states, valuable for those who may work in nearby Massachusetts or Connecticut after those states implement compact membership.
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
10
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Substance Abuse Required each renewal | 2h |
Alzheimer's Disease One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Low CE requirement.
- Hours must relate to nursing practice.
- 2 hours substance abuse required each renewal.
- 1 hour Alzheimer's disease required one-time.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
10
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Substance Abuse Required each renewal | 2h |
Alzheimer's Disease One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
10
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Substance Abuse Required each renewal | 2h |
Alzheimer's Disease One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
10
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Substance Abuse Required each renewal | 2h |
Alzheimer's Disease One-time requirement | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
10
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
10
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
10
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. Rhode Island requires 10 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Massachusetts requires more (15 hours), while Connecticut has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Rhode Island allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Track your CEUs
Log courses, monitor progress toward Rhode Island requirements.
Open tracker →
Compare states
See how Rhode Island stacks up.
Compare →
Compact license guide
What the NLC means for Rhode Island nurses.
Read guide →
Audit preparation
Be ready if Rhode Island audits your CE compliance.
Read guide →
Verify with the source
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education.
Verify before relying on this