State of Utah
Utah.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
30
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topic
1
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Utah 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.
Nursing in Utah.
Utah has approximately 40,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 3.4 million. Intermountain Healthcare is the dominant health system, operating hospitals throughout the state. University of Utah Health provides academic medicine in Salt Lake City. Utah's growing population and young demographics create diverse nursing opportunities.
Utah requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years or 400 hours of nursing practice during the renewal period. Utah mandates opioid education as part of CE requirements. This flexible approach allows nurses to demonstrate competency through either education or practice.
Common practice settings
Intermountain Healthcare
The largest Utah-based health system operates facilities throughout the state and is known for healthcare quality initiatives.
University of Utah Health
The academic medical center provides specialty care and research opportunities.
Rural Utah
Rural areas of southern and eastern Utah face healthcare access challenges.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 30 contact hours OR 400 practice hours.
02
Include opioid education in your CE activities.
03
Use nationally accredited providers.
04
Track your practice hours if using that option for renewal.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Utah
Utah is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work in border areas near Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, or Nevada.
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
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention Required each renewal | 0.5h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Hours must relate to nursing practice.
- 0.5 hours suicide prevention required each renewal.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention Required each renewal | 0.5h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
- 0.5 hours suicide prevention required each renewal.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
40
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention Required each renewal | 0.5h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15h |
Controlled Substances Prescribing For prescribers | 3.5h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
40
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15h |
Controlled Substances Prescribing For prescribers | 3.5h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
40
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15h |
Controlled Substances Prescribing For prescribers | 3.5h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
40
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15h |
Controlled Substances Prescribing For prescribers | 3.5h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
40
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15h |
Controlled Substances Prescribing For prescribers | 3.5h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional requirements
In context. Utah requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Idaho has no general CE requirement, while Wyoming has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Utah allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Verify before relying on this