Nursing CE audits: what happens, what to keep and for how long

How do boards choose nurses for a CE audit?

Most boards pick a random sample of renewing nurses. Texas selects nurses 90 days before each renewal month and notifies them by mail and email. California, Delaware and Nevada also run random audits. If you didn't pass a Texas audit, you're automatically audited again in the next licensing period.

What counts as proof in a nursing CE audit?

Keep the certificate of completion for each course. In Texas, valid proof shows the provider's name, the program title, date and location, the contact hours, the provider number and the accrediting agency. Academic courses need an official transcript, and certification cards such as ACLS or PALS aren't accepted as CE proof.

How long should nurses keep CE certificates?

It depends on the state. Texas sets three licensing periods or six years, Kentucky five years after the current licensure period and Pennsylvania five years for RNs. California RNs and LVNs, Massachusetts nurses and West Virginia LPNs keep four years, and Nevada's board recommends four. Connecticut sets three years after the year you completed the course.

Only periods we re-read on the board's own page on Oct 17, 2026 are listed. For any other state, check the records section of your state page.

Our advice, not a board rule: if your state doesn't set a period, keep certificates for at least four years, and keep one folder per license if you hold several. See the travel nurse checklist.

Do I upload CE certificates if I'm not audited?

Usually not. In attest-only states, you confirm completion on the renewal application and send certificates only if the board selects you. Delaware tells nurses not to upload CE certificates into DELPROS unless they're notified of an audit. CE Broker states work differently: Florida checks nursing CE through CE Broker, so report each course there.

See the CE Broker states guide and, for Texas, the Texas CE Module guide.

What happens if you fail a nursing CE audit?

Consequences vary, but they're serious. Texas won't renew your license until the audit is approved and treats failing an audit or falsifying records as grounds for discipline. Kentucky gives ten business days to fix a shortfall and requires a consent decree. In Ohio, a license lapses if requested proof isn't provided by the end of the renewal period.

If your license has already lapsed, see what to do about a lapsed nursing license.

How do I respond to a CE audit notice?

Read the notice for the deadline and the period being audited, then gather certificates for that period. Upload them where the board asks: Texas uses an online audit portal, Kentucky its nurse portal or CE Broker, and Delaware its DELPROS system. Allow processing time, which Texas says can be up to 10 business days, and keep copies.

Kentucky asks for records within 20 days of the request, and West Virginia's LPN board within 30 days.