NurseCETracker

Several states require nurses to complete implicit bias, cultural competency or health equity training. Michigan requires one hour for each year of the license cycle, Illinois one hour each renewal, Nevada four hours of cultural competency each cycle, and Washington two health equity hours. Maryland added a one-time requirement for renewals after April 1, 2026.

Last verified 2026-10-17 against the official sources linked in each row · Spot an error?

Key facts

  • Michigan 1 hour per year of the license cycle, every renewal
  • Illinois 1 hour implicit bias each renewal, plus 1 hour cultural competency every 6 years
  • California 1 hour in the first 2 years after initial licensure
  • Maryland one-time implicit bias and structural racism training, first renewal after April 1, 2026
  • Nevada, Washington, Oregon, DC cultural competency or health equity hours

Which states require implicit bias training for nurses?

As of our last check, Michigan, Illinois, California, Maryland, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and the District of Columbia require some form of implicit bias, cultural competency or health equity CE for nurses. The rules differ a lot: some apply every renewal, some only once, and California's applies only in your first two years.

StateRequirement (board's name)WhoHoursHow oftenCounts toward total?Rule + source
CaliforniaImplicit bias (direct participation, BRN-approved provider)RNs within their first 2 years after initial licensure1 hourWithin the first 2 years after initial licensure (since Jan. 1, 2023)Not stated on the board pageBus. & Prof. Code §2811.5 · official source
District of ColumbiaLGBTQ cultural competencyRNs2 hoursEach renewalYes, part of the 24 hoursDC Health 2026 RN/APRN renewal notice; D.C. Law 21-95 · official source
IllinoisImplicit bias awareness trainingRNs1 hourEvery renewalYes, may count toward the 20 hoursIDFPR RN CE FAQ (Public Act 102-0004) · official source
IllinoisCultural competency courseLicensed nurses1 hourOnce every 6 years (from Jan. 1, 2025)Yes, may count toward the 20 hoursIDFPR RN CE FAQ (Public Act 103-0531) · official source
MarylandImplicit bias and structural racism training (state-approved program)All renewal applicantsAttest to approved trainingOne-time, at the first renewal after April 1, 2026Not stated on the board pageMd. Health Occ. §1-225; MBON notice (updated 3/25/2026) · official source
MichiganImplicit bias trainingAll nursing licensees1 hour for each year of the license cycle (new applicants: 2 hours within the 5 years before licensure)Every renewal, not one-time (since June 1, 2022)Not stated on the board pageLARA Nursing Licensing Guide; Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7001-338.7005 · official source
NevadaCultural competencyNurses renewing a license4 hoursEach renewal cycle (since Jan. 1, 2024)Yes, part of the 30 hoursNRS 632.343 · official source
OregonCultural competencyLPN, RN and APRN renewal applicants2 hoursWithin the past 48 monthsNot stated on the board pageOSBN competency requirements · official source
WashingtonHealth equity CERNs and LPNs2 hoursEvery renewal period; first 2 hours due by the 2026 renewalYes, part of the 8 hoursNursing Commission continuing competency page · official source

How many implicit bias hours do Michigan nurses need?

Michigan nurses need one hour of implicit bias training for each year of their license cycle, so two hours for a standard two-year renewal. It's required every renewal, not just once. New applicants need two hours completed within the five years before their license is issued. The rule took effect June 1, 2022.

Training standards are in Michigan's administrative rules, R 338.7001 to 338.7005. See the Michigan page.

Does California's implicit bias rule apply to every RN?

No. California's one-hour implicit bias requirement applies to RNs who are still within their first two years after initial licensure. It must be direct participation in a course from a BRN-approved provider. New grads renewing for the first time are exempt from other CE but not from this hour.

See the California page.

What changed in Maryland in 2026?

Since April 1, 2026, Maryland nurses must attest at their first renewal after that date that they completed approved implicit bias and structural racism training. It's a one-time requirement. If you already completed implicit bias training for an earlier renewal, you only need the structural racism course.

Logged in the 2026 changes log. See the Maryland page.

Is cultural competency the same as implicit bias CE?

Not always. States name and define these requirements differently: Nevada and Oregon require cultural competency, Washington requires health equity, and Illinois requires both implicit bias awareness and a separate cultural competency course. Take a course whose title and certificate match your state's exact requirement, and keep the certificate.

Does implicit bias CE count toward my total hours?

Usually yes, where the state has a total-hours requirement. Illinois counts the hour toward its 20, Nevada's four hours are part of its 30, and Washington's two health equity hours are part of its eight. Check your own state: a few topic rules are separate attestations rather than hours.

States without a requirement

Most other states we track list no requirement on this topic for RN renewal. Check your state page or the printable CE chart for every state's mandatory topics.

How to pick a course that counts

Use a provider your board accepts. California requires a BRN-approved provider. Maryland's training must be approved through the state program under Health-General §20-1306 and be recognized by the board or accredited by ACCME or ACPE (Maryland implicit bias resources). Make sure the certificate names the topic your state uses.

For verified free courses, see free CE for mandatory nursing topics. We don't repeat that list here.

FAQ

Which states require implicit bias training for nurses?

Michigan, Illinois, California, Maryland, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and the District of Columbia require implicit bias, cultural competency or health equity CE in some form. Hours, frequency and who must take it differ by state.

Is Michigan implicit bias training required every renewal?

Yes. Michigan requires one hour of implicit bias training for each year of the license cycle at every renewal. It is not a one-time training.

Do new grads in California need implicit bias CE?

Yes. RNs in their first two years after initial licensure must complete one hour of direct-participation implicit bias training from a BRN-approved provider, even though other CE is waived for the first renewal.

Is Maryland's implicit bias training a one-time requirement?

Yes. Nurses attest to approved implicit bias and structural racism training at their first renewal after April 1, 2026. Those who already completed implicit bias training for a prior renewal need only the structural racism training.

Does Washington's health equity CE count toward the 8 hours?

Yes. Washington's 2 hours of health equity CE count toward the 8 hours RNs and LPNs need each renewal period. The first 2 hours are due by the 2026 renewal.

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