Nursing jurisprudence and laws-and-rules CE requirements, by state
Three states in our data require a state-law course for nurses. Texas requires 2 hours of nursing jurisprudence and ethics every third licensing period. Florida requires 2 hours of Florida Laws and Rules every renewal. Ohio requires at least one Category A hour on Ohio nursing law every renewal, within its 24 hours.
Last verified 2026-10-17 against the official sources linked in each row · Spot an error?
Key facts
- Texas 2 contact hours of jurisprudence and ethics, every third 2-year licensing period
- Florida 2 hours of Florida Laws and Rules, every renewal
- Ohio at least 1 Category A hour each renewal; 2 hours for endorsement
Which states require jurisprudence or laws-and-rules CE?
Texas, Florida and Ohio are the three states in our data with a required course on their own nursing law. Texas calls it nursing jurisprudence and ethics, Florida calls it Laws and Rules, and Ohio calls it Category A. Hours and timing differ, so check the row for your state and its official source.
| State | Requirement (board's name) | Who | Hours | How often | Counts toward total? | Rule + source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Florida Laws and Rules (board-approved course) | RNs and LPNs | 2 hours | Every renewal (biennium), including the first renewal | Listed among the courses in the board's 24-hour renewal requirement | Florida Board of Nursing RN and LPN renewal pages · official source |
| Ohio | Category A CE (Ohio nursing law and rules) | RNs and LPNs | At least 1 hour (2 hours to qualify for licensure by endorsement) | Every renewal; no CE is required at the first renewal after licensure by exam | Yes, within the 24 contact hours | OAC 4723-14-03(A), (C); 4723-14-01(E) · official source |
| Texas | Nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics | All nurses (LVNs, RNs and APRNs) | At least 2 contact hours of CNE (certification can't substitute; APRNs can't use CME) | Before the end of every third 2-year licensing period (periods beginning on or after Jan 1, 2014) | Yes, part of the 20 contact hours | Board Rule 216.3(g) · official source |
When do Texas nurses need jurisprudence and ethics CE?
Texas nurses need at least two contact hours of nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics before the end of every third two-year licensing period. It applies to LVNs, RNs and APRNs. The hours count toward the regular 20, but a national certification can't replace them, and APRNs must use nursing CNE, not CME.
The rule applies to licensing periods that began on or after January 1, 2014. To record the course at renewal, see the Texas CE Module guide. More Texas rules: Texas page.
What must a Texas jurisprudence course cover?
The course must cover the Texas Nursing Practice Act, the Board of Nursing's rules including the Standards of Nursing Practice in rule 217.11, the Board's position statements, principles of nursing ethics and professional boundaries. Keep the certificate with your other CE records for three licensing periods, or six years, in case you're audited.
Source: Texas BON: continuing competency (Board Rules 216.3, 216.7)
Where can Texas nurses find a jurisprudence course?
The Texas Board of Nursing links a CNE Course Catalog of courses it hosts. Other providers work too, as long as the course covers the required topics and its contact hours come from a provider or credentialing agency the Board recognizes, such as ANCC. Check the topic list before you pay for a course.
Source: Texas BON: BON CNE offerings
How many Florida Laws and Rules hours do nurses need?
Florida RNs and LPNs need two hours of Florida Laws and Rules from a board-approved provider every renewal. The board lists it among the courses in its 24-hour renewal requirement, and it still applies at the first renewal, when nurses newly licensed by exam are exempt from the general hours. Approved courses are listed in CE Broker.
See the Florida page for every Florida mandatory course.
What is Category A CE in Ohio?
Category A is continuing education directly related to Ohio's nurse practice law, Chapter 4723 of the Revised Code, and the Board's rules. Ohio RNs and LPNs need at least one Category A hour within their 24 contact hours each renewal, and endorsement applicants need two Category A hours to qualify. The Board lists approved online courses.
See the Ohio page.
Source: OAC 4723-14-03 · OAC 4723-14-01(E) · Ohio Board of Nursing: approved Category A courses
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.
Free options
For verified free courses, see free CE for mandatory nursing topics. We don't repeat that list here.
FAQ
How often do Texas nurses need jurisprudence CE?
At least 2 contact hours of nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics before the end of every third two-year licensing period, for all LVNs, RNs and APRNs.
Can APRNs use CME for Texas jurisprudence CE?
No. The Texas Board of Nursing says APRNs must complete CNE, not CME, for the jurisprudence and ethics requirement, and certification can't be used.
How many Category A hours do Ohio nurses need?
At least one hour of Category A CE within the 24 contact hours each renewal. Nurses applying for Ohio licensure by endorsement need two Category A hours.
Sources & last verified
- Florida: Florida Board of Nursing RN and LPN renewal pages
- Ohio: OAC 4723-14-03(A), (C); 4723-14-01(E)
- Texas: Board Rule 216.3(g)
- Ohio Board of Nursing: approved Category A courses
- OAC 4723-14-01: Category A definition
Last verified 2026-10-17. Sources: Texas Board of Nursing, Florida Board of Nursing, Ohio Administrative Code and Ohio Board of Nursing.
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