Arizona Nursing CE & License Renewal Requirements (2026)
Arizona does not require general CE hours to renew an RN license; instead, you need 960 practice hours in 5 years (or a recent nursing degree or refresher course). Renewal: Every 4 years by April 1. CE reporting: No upload: you attest at renewal and keep your certificates in case of audit. Verified against the Arizona board of nursing on 2026-10-16.
Hours
No CE; practice req: 960 hrs in 5 yrs (or degree/refresher)
Cycle & deadline
Every 4 years by April 1; late fee if you worked after May 2 without renewing
LPN / LVN
same as RN
Reporting
No
Last verified 2026-10-16 · Source: Arizona board of nursing (A.R.S. §32-3248.02 (APRN opioid CE)) · Excerpt-based: confirm with board
Arizona CE requirements by license type
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| RN | No CE; practice req: 960 hrs in 5 yrs (or degree/refresher) |
| LPN / LVN | same as RN |
| APRN | APRNs: 960 practice hrs in 5 yrs and active national certification; APRNs with a DEA registration need 3 hrs opioid/SUD CE |
Required (mandatory) topics in Arizona
| Required topic |
|---|
| APRNs w/ DEA: 3 hrs opioid/SUD CE |
Arizona license renewal deadline & cycle
Every 4 years by April 1; late fee if you worked after May 2 without renewing
How to renew your Arizona nursing license
- Check your expiration date on your board portal or Nursys.com.
- Complete your CE: No CE; practice req: 960 hrs in 5 yrs (or degree/refresher).
- Report or record CE: No.
- Submit the renewal application and fee on the Arizona board site ($160 (every 4 years)).
- Keep certificates in case of audit.
Renewal fees & late renewal
RN renewal fee: $160 (every 4 years)
Late renewal: $50 per month (max $200) if you worked after May 2 of your renewal year without renewing
Is Arizona a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Arizona is a full Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so a multistate license from another compact home state lets you practice here.
Where to take Arizona-approved CE
Use providers accredited by ANCC or approved by your board, and check that courses cover the required topics above.
Arizona nursing CE FAQ
How many CE hours does a Arizona RN need?
No CE; practice req: 960 hrs in 5 yrs (or degree/refresher).
When does a Arizona nursing license expire?
Every 4 years by April 1; late fee if you worked after May 2 without renewing.
What mandatory CE topics does Arizona require?
Required topics: APRNs w/ DEA: 3 hrs opioid/SUD CE.
Does Arizona use CE Broker or require CE reporting?
No.
Do Arizona LPNs/LVNs need CE?
same as RN.
What CE do Arizona APRNs need?
APRNs: 960 practice hrs in 5 yrs and active national certification; APRNs with a DEA registration need 3 hrs opioid/SUD CE.
How much does it cost to renew a Arizona RN license?
$160 (every 4 years).
Is Arizona a compact (NLC) state?
Yes. Arizona is a full Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so a multistate license from another compact home state lets you practice here.
Sources & verification
Official source: https://azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/renew-your-license
Rule: A.R.S. §32-3248.02 (APRN opioid CE)
Last verified: 2026-10-16. Re-read official page Oct 16, 2026; values match.
Change log: 2026-10-16: added verified $160 fee, late fee, APRN rules; late-fee date corrected to May 2
This page is based on an excerpt of the official source. Confirm with the board.