Pennsylvania Nursing CE & License Renewal Requirements (2026)
To renew, Pennsylvania registered nurses need 30 hrs / 2 yrs. The board also requires 1 mandatory topic (listed below). Renewal: Biennial. CE reporting: No upload; keep records 5 years. Verified against the Pennsylvania board of nursing on 2026-10-16.
Hours
30 hrs / 2 yrs
Cycle & deadline
Biennial
LPN / LVN
No general CE hours; 2 hrs approved child abuse recognition & reporting each renewal; LPN expires Jun 30 even years
Reporting
Keep 5 yrs; audit
Last verified 2026-10-16 · Source: Pennsylvania board of nursing (49 Pa. Code §21.131) · Checked against the full official board page
Pennsylvania CE requirements by license type
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| RN | 30 hrs / 2 yrs |
| LPN / LVN | No general CE hours; 2 hrs approved child abuse recognition & reporting each renewal; LPN expires Jun 30 even years |
Required (mandatory) topics in Pennsylvania
| Required topic |
|---|
| 2 hrs child abuse recognition & reporting |
Pennsylvania license renewal deadline & cycle
Biennial
How to renew your Pennsylvania nursing license
- Check your expiration date on your board portal or Nursys.com.
- Complete your CE: 30 hrs / 2 yrs.
- Report or record CE: Keep 5 yrs; audit.
- Submit the renewal application and fee on the Pennsylvania 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.
Is Pennsylvania a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Pennsylvania is a full Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so a multistate license from another compact home state lets you practice here.
Where to take Pennsylvania-approved CE
Use providers accredited by ANCC or approved by your board, and check that courses cover the required topics above.
Pennsylvania nursing CE FAQ
How many CE hours does a Pennsylvania RN need?
30 hrs / 2 yrs.
When does a Pennsylvania nursing license expire?
Biennial.
What mandatory CE topics does Pennsylvania require?
Required topics: 2 hrs child abuse recognition & reporting.
Does Pennsylvania use CE Broker or require CE reporting?
Keep 5 yrs; audit.
Do Pennsylvania LPNs/LVNs need CE?
No general CE hours; 2 hrs approved child abuse recognition & reporting each renewal; LPN expires Jun 30 even years.
Is Pennsylvania a compact (NLC) state?
Yes. Pennsylvania 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.pacodeandbulletin.gov/secure/pacode/data/049/chapter21/s21.131.html
Rule: 49 Pa. Code §21.131
Last verified: 2026-10-16. Re-fetched official page Oct 16, 2026; key figures present.