LPN and LVN continuing education requirements, by state
Last verified 2026-10-17 against official board sources · Spot an error?
Most states give LPNs and LVNs the same CE rule as RNs, but 10 states in our data require no general CE hours for LPNs. Pennsylvania still requires 2 child abuse hours. California, Louisiana and West Virginia license practical nurses through a separate board, so check that board's rules, not the RN board's.
Which states require no CE for LPNs?
In our data: Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Wisconsin. Some still set a topic or practice rule (Pennsylvania's child abuse hours, South Dakota's practice hours), so read the row. Louisiana isn't counted: its LPN board's renewal page doesn't state a CE rule.
LPN and LVN CE requirements by state
One row per state from our state data, with the board source. Separate LPN boards are linked where we've confirmed them: California BVNPT, Louisiana LSBPNE and West Virginia LPN Board. All roles in one chart: printable CE chart.
| State | LPN/LVN rule (our state data) | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 24 (same rule) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Alaska | same as RN | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Arizona | same as RN | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Arkansas | 15 contact hrs OR cert OR academic course (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| California | LVN (BVNPT board): 30 hrs / 2 yrs; first renewal exempt; attest, keep 4 yrs | LPN board | 2026-10-17 |
| Colorado | None required | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Connecticut | same (LPN included) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Delaware | 24 contact hrs per renewal period | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| District of Columbia | 18 contact hrs / 2 yrs incl 2 hrs LGBTQ/cultural + public-health topics | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Florida | LPN same per board page (first-renewal rules apply to LPN & RN) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Georgia | 20 hrs or RN academic program, biennial | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Hawaii | same as RN (one learning activity option) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Idaho | None (per same rules) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Illinois | 20 hrs / 2 yrs; LPN expires Jan 31 odd years; first renewal exempt | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Indiana | None | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Iowa | 36 contact hrs per renewal period (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Kansas | 30 contact hrs (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Kentucky | 14 contact hrs per Nov 1–Oct 31 period (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Louisiana | Separate LPN board (LSBPNE). Its renewal page lists annual renewal Nov 1 to Jan 31; we haven't confirmed a CE rule on its site. See board. | LPN board | 2026-10-17 |
| Maine | None; biennial, on or before birthday | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Maryland | Same options as RN (1,000 hrs/5 yrs, program, or 30 CEUs/2 yrs) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Massachusetts | 15 contact hrs | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Michigan | 25 hrs | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Minnesota | 12 contact hrs / 24 months | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Mississippi | None routine (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Missouri | None; LPN expires May 31 even years | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Montana | None; biennial by Dec 31 (assigned odd/even year) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Nebraska | Same as RN: 20 CE hrs/2 yrs + 500 practice hrs/5 yrs (or alternatives); LPN expires Oct 31 odd years | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Nevada | 30 hrs / 2 yrs incl 4 hrs cultural competency (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| New Hampshire | 30 contact hrs + 400 practice hrs (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| New Jersey | 30 hrs incl 1 hr opioids (rule text via law.cornell.edu); up to 15 hrs carry over | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| New Mexico | 30 contact hrs | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| New York | Infection control every 4 yrs (no child abuse req) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| North Carolina | Same continuing-competence options as RN | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| North Dakota | 12 contact hrs / 2 yrs (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Ohio | 24 contact hrs incl 1 Category A (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Oklahoma | same options as RN | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Oregon | same as RN (pain mgmt + cultural competency) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Pennsylvania | No general CE hours; 2 hrs approved child abuse recognition & reporting each renewal; LPN expires Jun 30 even years | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Rhode Island | 10 hrs / 2 yrs incl 2 hrs substance abuse; LPN expires Mar 1 every other year | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| South Carolina | Same options as RN (30 contact hrs / cert / academic / employer competency) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| South Dakota | No CE; same practice-hours rule as RN | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Tennessee | same as RN | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Texas | 20 contact hours (LVN same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Utah | Same options as RN; LPN expires Jan 31 even years | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Vermont | same as RN | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Virginia | One option: 30 CE hrs, or 15 CE + 640 practice hrs, or alternatives (cert, coursework, etc.) | board source | 2026-10-16 |
| Washington | 8 CE hrs (incl 2 health equity) + 96 practice hrs yearly (same as RN) | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| West Virginia | LPN board: 24 contact hrs / 2 yrs, reported by June 30 of even years, incl 3 hrs substance abuse/drug diversion + 2 hrs veterans' mental health; new to WV: one-time 2 hrs end-of-life care; renew every year Mar 1–Jun 30 | LPN board | 2026-10-17 |
| Wisconsin | None; LPN renews Apr 30 odd years | board source | 2026-10-17 |
| Wyoming | same as RN | board source | 2026-10-16 |
How many CE hours do Ohio LPNs need?
Ohio LPNs need 24 contact hours each renewal, the same as RNs, and at least one must be a Category A hour on Ohio nursing law and rules. Your first renewal after licensure by exam needs no CE. An LPN who also holds an active Ohio RN license doesn't need separate LPN CE.
More: Ohio Category A · Ohio page.
Source: OAC 4723-14-03
What CE do Florida LPNs need?
Florida LPNs follow the same 24-hour rule as RNs, with the same mandatory courses: medical errors, Florida laws and rules, human trafficking, recognizing impairment every other renewal and domestic violence every third biennium. LPNs newly licensed by exam are exempt from the general hours at the first renewal but still take the mandatory courses.
More: Florida domestic violence hours · Florida page.
Source: Florida BON: LPN renewal
What are West Virginia's LPN CE requirements?
West Virginia LPNs are licensed by a separate LPN board. It requires 24 contact hours every two years, reported by June 30 of even years, including 3 hours on substance abuse or drug diversion and 2 hours on veterans' mental health. New LPNs and LPNs new to West Virginia also take a one-time 2-hour end-of-life care course.
The LPN board says to keep certificates for 4 years and to send audit documents within 30 days of a request. A contact hour is 50 minutes.
Source: WV LPN Board: CE requirements
How many CE hours do Michigan LPNs need?
Michigan LPNs need 25 hours each renewal cycle, the same total as RNs, including 2 hours in pain and symptom management, implicit bias training each year of the cycle and the one-time human trafficking training. LARA mails a renewal notice about 90 business days before your license expires. Check LARA's nursing guide before you renew.
See the Michigan page.
What are Virginia's LPN continuing competency options?
Virginia LPNs choose one continuing competency option each renewal, such as 30 contact hours of CE, or 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours, or an alternative like a national certification or academic coursework. The options are the same as for RNs and are listed on the Virginia Board of Nursing's continued competency page.
See the Virginia page.
How many CE hours do Massachusetts LPNs need?
Massachusetts LPNs need 15 contact hours every two years, the same as RNs, and they renew on their birthday in odd-numbered years. The first renewal needs no CE. Keep certificates for two renewal periods, or four years, because the board can ask for them at any time. The Chapter 260 training applies too.
More: Chapter 260 training · Massachusetts page.
Do LVNs in Texas and California need CE?
Yes. Texas LVNs need the same 20 contact hours as RNs, or a Board-approved national nursing certification, plus targeted topics like jurisprudence and ethics every third period. California LVNs are licensed by the BVNPT, not the Board of Registered Nursing, which requires 30 hours every two years after the first renewal and certificates kept for four years.
More: Texas jurisprudence · Texas page · California page.
Source: Texas BON: continuing competency · BVNPT: post-licensure (LVN)
FAQ
Do LPNs need continuing education in every state?
No. In our data, 10 states require no general CE hours for LPNs, although some still require specific topics, such as Pennsylvania's 2 hours of child abuse training.
Is LPN CE the same as RN CE?
In most states, yes. Exceptions include states that license practical nurses through a separate board, such as California, Louisiana and West Virginia.
How many CE hours do Ohio LPNs need?
24 contact hours each renewal, including at least one Category A hour on Ohio nursing law and rules.