District of Columbia Nursing CE & License Renewal Requirements (2026)
To renew, District of Columbia registered nurses need 24 contact hrs / 2 yrs. The board also requires 2 mandatory topics (listed below). Renewal: RN: mid-April–June 30, even years. CE reporting: Upload proof with renewal application (or attest will complete by expiration). Verified against the District of Columbia board of nursing on 2026-10-16.
Hours
24 contact hrs / 2 yrs
Cycle & deadline
RN: mid-April–June 30, even years; LPN: odd years; first renewal exempt
LPN / LVN
18 contact hrs / 2 yrs incl 2 hrs LGBTQ/cultural + public-health topics
Reporting
Upload proof with renewal application (or attest will complete by expiration)
Last verified 2026-10-16 · Source: District of Columbia board of nursing · Excerpt-based: confirm with board
District of Columbia CE requirements by license type
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| RN | 24 contact hrs / 2 yrs |
| LPN / LVN | 18 contact hrs / 2 yrs incl 2 hrs LGBTQ/cultural + public-health topics |
Required (mandatory) topics in District of Columbia
| Required topic |
|---|
| 2 hrs LGBTQ cultural competency |
| 10% on DC public-health priority topics |
District of Columbia license renewal deadline & cycle
RN: mid-April–June 30, even years; LPN: odd years; first renewal exempt
How to renew your District of Columbia nursing license
- Check your expiration date on your board portal or Nursys.com.
- Complete your CE: 24 contact hrs / 2 yrs.
- Report or record CE: Upload proof with renewal application (or attest will complete by expiration).
- Submit the renewal application and fee on the District of Columbia board site.
- Keep certificates in case of audit.
Renewal fees & late renewal
RN renewal fee: not yet verified by us. Check your board's renewal page for the current fee.
Late renewal: late fees and lapse rules vary; check your board's renewal page. Don't practice on an expired license.
CE Broker / reporting in District of Columbia
Upload proof with renewal application (or attest will complete by expiration)
Is District of Columbia a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No. District of Columbia is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact; you need a District of Columbia license to practice there.
Where to take District of Columbia-approved CE
Use providers accredited by ANCC or approved by your board, and check that courses cover the required topics above.
District of Columbia nursing CE FAQ
How many CE hours does a District of Columbia RN need?
24 contact hrs / 2 yrs.
When does a District of Columbia nursing license expire?
RN: mid-April–June 30, even years; LPN: odd years; first renewal exempt.
What mandatory CE topics does District of Columbia require?
Required topics: 2 hrs LGBTQ cultural competency; 10% on DC public-health priority topics.
Does District of Columbia use CE Broker or require CE reporting?
Upload proof with renewal application (or attest will complete by expiration).
Do District of Columbia LPNs/LVNs need CE?
18 contact hrs / 2 yrs incl 2 hrs LGBTQ/cultural + public-health topics.
Is District of Columbia a compact (NLC) state?
No. District of Columbia is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact; you need a District of Columbia license to practice there.
Sources & verification
Official source: https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/education-resources-nurses
Last verified: 2026-10-16. Re-fetched official page Oct 16, 2026; hour figures not on this page (kept).
This page is based on an excerpt of the official source. Confirm with the board.