State of Texas
Texas.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
20
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
3
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Texas requires registered nurses to complete 20 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 Texas.
Texas has approximately 360,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 30 million, making it the second-largest nursing workforce in the nation. Major medical centers include Texas Medical Center in Houston (the largest medical complex in the world), UT Southwestern in Dallas, and numerous health systems across the state. Texas's rapid population growth creates ongoing demand for nursing professionals.
Texas requires 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. Texas requires nurses who treat patients under 18 to complete 2 hours of CE related to pediatric human trafficking. The state accepts CE from providers approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and national accrediting bodies.
Common practice settings
Texas Medical Center
Houston's massive medical complex includes MD Anderson, Texas Children's, and numerous other facilities.
Metro Health Systems
Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and other metros have multiple competing health systems.
Border Communities
South Texas communities along the border serve diverse populations including many Spanish speakers.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 20 contact hours before your biennial renewal.
02
If you treat patients under 18, complete pediatric human trafficking training.
03
Use Texas Board-approved or nationally accredited providers.
04
Keep certificates for at least 4 years.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Texas
Texas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Given Texas's size, this primarily benefits nurses in border areas near Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, or New Mexico.
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
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Nursing Jurisprudence Texas nursing laws - one time exam | 2h |
Human Trafficking Prevention Required each renewal | 1h |
Geriatric Care Care of elderly patients | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Must pass jurisprudence exam one time.
- Hours must be from approved providers.
- Human trafficking prevention required each renewal.
- 2 hours geriatric care required each renewal.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Nursing Jurisprudence Texas nursing laws - one time exam | 2h |
Human Trafficking Prevention Required each renewal | 1h |
Geriatric Care Care of elderly patients | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Nursing Jurisprudence Texas nursing laws - one time exam | 2h |
Human Trafficking Prevention Required each renewal | 1h |
Geriatric Care Care of elderly patients | 2h |
Opioid/Controlled Substances For prescribers | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Nursing Jurisprudence Texas nursing laws - one time exam | 2h |
Opioid/Controlled Substances For prescribers | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Nursing Jurisprudence Texas nursing laws - one time exam | 2h |
Opioid/Controlled Substances For prescribers | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Nursing Jurisprudence Texas nursing laws - one time exam | 2h |
Opioid/Controlled Substances For prescribers | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Nursing Jurisprudence Texas nursing laws - one time exam | 2h |
Opioid/Controlled Substances For prescribers | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
In context. Texas requires 20 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, New Mexico requires more (30 hours), while Oklahoma requires more (24 hours). As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Texas allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Texas Board of Nursing.
Verify before relying on this