June 21, 2022
It's that time again — time to renew your registered nursing license.
You've been working hard providing great care to your patients and continuing to grow in your career. To keep your nursing license active, you just need to complete a few tasks when the year to renew it rolls around.
Being licensed is important for RNs and other healthcare providers because it ensures that these caregivers have met the set standards for providing care. The last thing you want is for your license to lapse — if it does, it could cost you more money for fees or training.
Luckily, registered nurse license renewal doesn't have to be complicated. Let's take a look at the four main steps to getting it checked off your to-do list.
1. Do Your Research on How to Renew a Nurse's License in Your State
In the United States, each state has its own unique requirements on how to renew a nursing license. Therefore, the first thing you'll need to do is go to your state's Board of Nursing (BON) website to research the requirements for nursing renewal.
You can find your state's BON website by doing a web search for [state] + Board of Nursing. Again, renewal requirements will vary by state, but could include submitting continuing education units (CEUs), a list of renewal fees, or required hours worked.
2. Complete Any Required CEUs
Many, but not all, states require registered nurses to submit continuing education hours in order to renew their licenses. You can find CEUs on a wide variety of topics relevant to the field of nursing that might count towards license renewal. CEUs could be in the form of online classes or in person, for instance at a local college or even the healthcare facility where you work.
Once you complete CEUs, you'll receive some sort of certificate or documentation to show that you've finished it. The number of necessary CEU hours can vary greatly by state, so again, review your state's BON website for specifics.
3. Submit Your Nursing License Renewal Application
Once you know you've met all the requirements, it's time for the vital step of submitting your renewal application. You can usually do this either online or by mail. When you renew your license you'll also ensure that all of your contact information is up-to-date.
4. Pay Your State's Nursing License Renewal Fee
Regardless of what state you live in, you'll have to pay a fee with your renewal application to keep your license current. Each state requires a different amount, and it's usually due every two to four years.
Nursing Renewal Considerations by State
Each state has its own renewal rules, but some requirements are also similar. For instance, in Alabama, the District of Columbia, Minnesota, and Ohio, 24 contact hours of CEs are required to qualify for license renewal. Many other states ask for various amounts of contact hours. In many states, you must renew an RN license every two years. But Washington requires renewal every year, while in Arizona it's every four years.
Some states may include hours worked as a nurse as part of their requirements. In Alaska, nurses must either meet 30 hours of continuing education, 60 hours of participation in uncompensated professional activities or meet 320 hours of employment as a nurse.
In Arizona, within the past five years, RNs need to have worked as a nurse at least 960 hours, graduated from an accredited nursing program, completed an approved refresher course, or have obtained an advanced practice degree to be eligible for renewal. North Dakota https://www.ndbon.org/FAQ/RenewalRequirements.asphttps://www.ndbon.org/FAQ/RenewalRequirements.asphttps://www.ndbon.org/FAQ/RenewalRequirements.aspnurses must have 400 hours of practicing in the last four years, and twelve contact hours of CEUs in the past two years. Louisiana nurses may need to complete varying numbers of contact hours to renew their Louisiana license, depending on employment status.
In some states, like California and http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing/Hawaii, nurses may have to provide fingerprints or undergo a background check in order to renew their licenses.
Some states have more specific CEU requirements that nurses need to complete. Registered nurses in Florida must complete CEUs in several subject areas — general hours, prevention of medical errors, human trafficking, Florida laws, and rules, recognizing impairment in the workplace, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS.
Nevada not only requires 30 hours of nursing-related continuing education within 24 months, but has a brand new requirement for nurses to complete one or more courses of instruction that provide at least two hours of CEUs relating to cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Some states have more complex options for nursing license renewal, such as Virginia, which includes completion of a nursing-related, evidence-based practice project or research study as one of its several potential renewal requirements.
In New York, Nurses must renew http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nursingrn.htmlicensure every three years, and initially complete training in child abuse reporting and infection control. Other states, such as Wisconsin, Connecticut, Colorado, Indiana, Maine, South Dakota, and https://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asphttps://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asphttps://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asphttps://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asphttps://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asphttps://pr.mo.gov/nursing.aspMissouri may not even require any CEUs.
Every state is quite different, and it's best to research the state's BON website to get all the information you need from the best source.
https://kbn.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Continuing-Education-Competency.aspx
https://www.idfpr.com/profs/Nursing.asphttps://www.idfpr.com/profs/Nursing.asphttps://www.idfpr.com/profs/Nursing.asphttps://www.idfpr.com/profs/Nursing.asphttps://www.idfpr.com/profs/Nursing.asphttps://www.idfpr.com/profs/Nursing.asp
How to Renew a CNA License
What about certified nursing assistants? CNAs must meet similar requirements for CNA license renewal. Once again, each state has its own specific regulations when it comes to CNA licenses. If you're a CNA, you may need to provide proof of employment or hours worked, CEUs relevant to your field, pass a background check, and pay a CNA renewal fee. Visit your state's professional regulatory agency website to find out the requirements in your state.
Whether you're a nurse or a CNA, you may be able to complete the whole license renewal process online, making it more simple and more straightforward than ever before. Nurses can often find accredited continuing education courses online as well.
By keeping your licensing and education current, you can continue to provide the compassionate care your patients need the most.
References:
- "RN License Renewal Requirements By State." Nursing CE. https://www.nursingce.com/blog/rn-license-renewal-requirements-by-state/
