North Carolina Nursing CE & License Renewal Requirements (2026)
To renew, North Carolina registered nurses need one of 8 options, for example 30 contact hours. Renewal: Biennial. CE reporting: No upload: you attest at renewal and keep your certificates in case of audit. Verified against the North Carolina board of nursing on 2026-10-16.
Hours
One of 8 options, e.g. 30 contact hrs; or 15 hrs + 640 practice hrs; or national cert
Cycle & deadline
Biennial; by last day of birth month
LPN / LVN
Same continuing-competence options as RN
Reporting
No - attest at renewal, keep records for audit (evidence only if audited)
Last verified 2026-10-16 · Source: North Carolina board of nursing · Checked against the full official board page
North Carolina CE requirements by license type
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| RN | One of 8 options, e.g. 30 contact hrs; or 15 hrs + 640 practice hrs; or national cert |
| LPN / LVN | Same continuing-competence options as RN |
Required (mandatory) topics in North Carolina
None specified by the board.
North Carolina license renewal deadline & cycle
Biennial; by last day of birth month
How to renew your North Carolina nursing license
- Check your expiration date on your board portal or Nursys.com.
- Complete your CE: One of 8 options, e.g. 30 contact hrs; or 15 hrs + 640 practice hrs; or national cert.
- Report or record CE: No - attest at renewal, keep records for audit (evidence only if audited).
- Submit the renewal application and fee on the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
No - attest at renewal, keep records for audit (evidence only if audited)
Is North Carolina a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. North Carolina is a full Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so a multistate license from another compact home state lets you practice here.
Where to take North Carolina-approved CE
Use providers accredited by ANCC or approved by your board, and check that courses cover the required topics above.
North Carolina nursing CE FAQ
How many CE hours does a North Carolina RN need?
One of 8 options, e.g. 30 contact hrs; or 15 hrs + 640 practice hrs; or national cert.
When does a North Carolina nursing license expire?
Biennial; by last day of birth month.
What mandatory CE topics does North Carolina require?
No specific mandatory topics are listed by the board.
Does North Carolina use CE Broker or require CE reporting?
No - attest at renewal, keep records for audit (evidence only if audited).
Do North Carolina LPNs/LVNs need CE?
Same continuing-competence options as RN.
Is North Carolina a compact (NLC) state?
Yes. North Carolina 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://www.ncbon.com/licensure-listing-continuing-competence
Last verified: 2026-10-16. Re-fetched official page Oct 16, 2026; key figures present.