Renew LPN License: CE Courses to Gain New Skills

• Nurses can renew LPN licenses and learn new workplace skills at the same time. 

• While there are mandatory CEUs in some states, the general credit hour requirement can be fulfilled with courses of your choosing.

• This article reviews CEUs you can use to gain new LPN skills and also goes over the CE requirements to renew LPN licenses for each state.

An LPN’s duties vary from one workplace to another, but whether these nurses provide care at a hospital or a nursing home, specific skills will make them more well-rounded healthcare workers. One way to attain more professional expertise is to take specific CE courses to renew LPN licenses.

In this article, we’ll review courses that nurses can use to fulfill the general CEU requirements for LPN license renewal.

General Courses for LPN License Renewal

Ventilator Management

If a nurse isn’t familiar with ventilator technology, then managing one can be intimidating. The good news is that the manufacturers of these devices have made them user-friendly.

In this online course, you’ll learn about:

• the basic modes of mechanical ventilation
• and the mechanism of action of invasive and noninvasive ventilation.

Visit our Ventilator Management course page to begin CE to renew LPN licenses.

Blood Transfusion

Nurses are responsible for administering blood products. Every time blood is transfused, there is potential for harm, and many preventable errors occur during this procedure. One of the best ways to decrease transfusion mistakes is to stay current on this topic.

In this online course, you’ll learn about:

• the components of blood
• the basic principles of administering it
• the components of blood
• and the importance of assessing and reassessing a patient.

Visit our Blood Transfusion course page to begin CE to renew LPN licenses.

Patient Confidentiality

Relationships with patients are built on trust, and providing patient confidentiality is one to strengthen it. Patients can get the best care when they can rely on nurses to maintain their privacy. If there is any doubt in this area, the patient-provider relationship is at risk.

Healthcare workers must keep medical conditions, results, and treatments private as these records may contain sensitive information. With the advent of social media and technological advancements, the line of strict patient confidentially has been blurred. However, patients still rely on nurses to keep their personal information private.

In this course, you’ll learn about:

• the various aspects of patient confidentiality
• how to de-identify patients
• and the basics of professional statements and disclosures.

Visit our patient confidentiality course page to begin CE to renew LPN licenses.

Chest Tube Care

While the placement of a chest tube may be a standard procedure, caring for one can be overwhelming for a nurse. If the chest tube malfunctions, a patient can die in just minutes. Hospitals consider these occurrences a common error, so nurses must understand how chest tubes work and how to care for them.

In this course, you’ll learn about:

• chest tube placement
• types of chest tubes, basics of procedures
• and how to troubleshoot problems.

Visit our Chest Tube Care course page to begin CE to renew LPN licenses.

Managing Surgical Sites

Of all possible healthcare-associated infections, surgical site ones have the highest mortality rates and are financially costly to facilities. Using evidence-based practice strategies is one way to reduce the number of these severe infections.

Patients who contract a surgical site infection are twice as likely to die, are 60% more likely to need ICU care, and are five times as likely to be readmitted to the hospital.

In this course, you’ll learn about:

• surgical site infections
• the risk factors involved
• and how to prevent them.

Visit our Managing Surgical Sites course page to begin CE to renew LPN licenses.

LPN License Renewal CE Requirements by State

The CE requirement to renew LPN licenses varies by state. While certain general continuing education hours are needed, specific courses are required in some parts of the country to renew a license. Please find your state below to find out the CEUs to complete. You may or may not be able to take all of the courses mentioned in this article.

Alabama

LPNs are required to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years:

• 4 of the 24 contact hours must be on The Nurse Practice Act. (one-time requirement)
• This is provided by the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Learn more about our Alabama CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Alaska

LPNs must complete 2 out of the four following methods below every two years:

• 320 hours of nursing employment
• 30 hours of continuing education
• 30 hours of professional nursing activities
• Alternative Methods (nursing refresher course, degree or certificate in nursing or NCLEX)

Learn more about our Alaska CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Arizona

Arizona Board of Nursing does not require continuing education for LPNs or RNs at this time.

Arkansas

LPNs are required to complete one of the following methods to renew their license every two years:

• 15 contact hours of continuing education
• Certification or recertification by a national certifying body
• Completion of a recognized academic course in nursing or a related field

Learn more about our Arkansas CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

California

LVNs are required to complete:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
• Active Licensure: If you desire an “active” license, you must complete thirty (30) hours of CE. The course(s) must have been completed within two (2) years prior to the date of renewal of your license.”
• First Renewal: If this is your first renewal following the issuance of your license, you are not required to complete thirty (30) hours of CE.

Learn more about our California CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Colorado

Colorado Board of Nursing does not require continuing education for LPNs or RNs at this time.

Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Public Health requires all licensed practical nurses actively practicing in Connecticut to complete the following CE:

• two contact hours on screening for PTSD, risk of suicide, depression, and grief, and suicide prevention training every six years.

Delaware

LPNs are required to complete:

• 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
  • 3 of the 24 contact hours must be on substance abuse

Learn more about our Delaware CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Florida

LPNs can choose to complete:

• 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years OR achieve, renew, or maintain national certification in their area of specialty.

There are, however, mandatory requirements they must complete:

• Two contact hours must be on the prevention of medical errors
• Two contact hours must be on Florida laws & regulations
• Two contact hours must be on recognizing impairment in the workplace – required every four years (2 renewals)
• Two contact hours must be on human trafficking
• Two contact hours must be on domestic violence every six years (3 renewals)

Learn more about our Florida CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Georgia

LPNs have two options for their biennial renewal:

• Complete 20 contact hours
• Completion of an accredited academic program of study in registered professional nursing, as recognized by the board.

Learn more about our Georgia CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Hawaii

LPNs are required to complete:

• 1 of 10 learning options every two years.
• One option is 30 contact hours of continuing education.
• The other options can be found under HRS 457-9.3 or Page 18 of The Continuing Competency Guidance and Information Booklet.

Learn more about our Hawaii CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Idaho

LPNs and RN’s are not required to complete any hours of continuing education for renewal.

Illinois

LPNs are required to complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

• 1 of the 20 contact hours must be on sexual harassment
• 1 of the 20 contact hours must be an evidence-based implicit bias in healthcare training
• 1 of the 20 contact hours must be in diagnosis, treatment, and care of Alzheimer’s disease, along with other dementia types (for LPNs that care for patients aged 26 or older).
• LPNs working with children must complete mandated reporter training every six years.

Learn more about our Illinois CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Indiana

Indiana Board of Nursing does not require continuing education for LPNs at this time.

Iowa

LPNs are required to complete 36 contact hours of continuing education every three years.

• 2 of the 36 contact hours must be on Identification and Reporting of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse if you regularly examine, attend, counsel, or treat children or dependent adults.
  • This Mandatory Reporter course is offered by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Learn more about our Iowa CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Kansas

LPNs are required to complete:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

Learn more about our Kansas CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Kentucky

LPNs are required to complete:

• 14 contact hours of continuing education every year.
• 3 of the 14 contact hours must be on Domestic Violence (one-time requirement)
• 1.5 of the 14 contact hours must be on Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (one-time requirement)
• Two of the 14 contact hours must be on Suicide Prevention (one-time requirement)
• One contact hour in suicide prevention generally and

• One contact hour that addresses:
  • Chronic toxic stress and secondary traumatic stress potentially increasing the incidence of suicide amongst nurses;
  • A confidential and standardized pathway to care for nurses that addresses screening, assessing, safety planning, referrals, and follow-up for nurses at risk for suicide;
  • Systems of care, evidence-informed approaches, and best practices to reduce suicide rates; and
  • Ethical legal considerations for caring for patients and nurses who are suicidal.
• 1.5 of the 14 contact hours must be on Implicit Bias (one-time requirement) that addresses:
  • The impact of historical racism and other forms of insidious discrimination on the provision of healthcare;
  • Methods of evaluating the presence and extent of implicit bias and
  • Measures that may be taken to reduce implicit bias.

Learn more about our Kentucky CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Louisiana

Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners does not require continuing education for LPNs at this time.

Maine

Maine Board of Nursing does not require continuing education for LPNs at this time.

Maryland

LPNs can satisfy renewal requirements by demonstrating either of the items below:

• 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within the five years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application;(b) Satisfactory completion of all requirements for a diploma or degree from a Board-approved nursing education program within the five years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application;
• Or (c) Completion of 30 continuing education units (CEUs) within the two years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application.

Learn more about our Maryland CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Massachusetts

LPNs are required to complete 15 contact hours of continuing education every two years. Additionally, there are mandated one-time requirements:

• Domestic and Sexual Violence Training.

Learn more about our Massachusetts CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Michigan

LPNs are required to complete 25 contact hours of continuing education every two years:

• Two of the 25 contact hours must be on pain and symptom management
• One of the 25 contact hours must be on human trafficking (one-time requirement)
• Beginning June 1, 2022, nurses must complete one additional contact hour of implicit bias training for each year of their license or registration cycle; for every two-year renewal, nurses will need two contact hours of implicit bias training.
• No more than 12 credit hours may be earned during a 24-hour period.

Learn more about our Michigan CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Minnesota

LPNs are required to complete:

• 12 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

Learn more about our Minnesota CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Mississippi

LPNs are only required to complete:

• 20 contact hours of continuing education if they have been out of practice for five years or more.

Learn more about our Mississippi CEU Bundle and the courses to Renew LPN licenses.

Missouri

Missouri Board of Nursing does not require continuing education for LPNs, RNs, nor APRNs at this time.

Montana

The Montana BON announced on 11/17/2023 that they will no longer require CE hours for renewal for LPNS, RNs or APRNs.

Nebraska

LPNs have the option to complete:

• 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years. This is one of the continued competency requirements.
• There are other approved requirements for license renewal.
• No more than four of the 20 contact hours may be from CPR or BLS certifications.

Learn more about our Nebraska CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Nevada

LPNs are required to complete:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
• 4 of the 30 contact hours must be a Nevada BON-approved cultural competency training.
• 4 of the 30 contact hours must be on bioterrorism (one-time requirement)

Learn more about our Nevada CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

New Hampshire

LPNs are required to complete:

•  30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

Learn more about our New Hampshire CEU Bundle and the courses to Renew LPN licenses.

New Jersey

LPNs are required to complete:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
• 1 of the 30 contact hours must be on prescription opioid drugs

Learn more about our New Jersey CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

New Mexico

LPNs are required to complete:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

Learn more about our New Mexico CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

New York

LPNs are required to complete:

• three contact hours of continuing education every four years.
• These three contact hours must be on infection control and barrier precautions and the course must be NYSED approved.
• LPNs are required to complete two contact hours on the identification and reporting of child abuse (one-time requirement).

Learn more about our New York Renewal Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

North Carolina

LPNs are required to complete one of the following methods to renew their license every two years:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education
• 15 contact hours of continuing education AND one of the following
• 640 hours of practice within the last two years (prior to renewal)
• Completion of a nursing project
• Authoring or co-authoring a nursing-related article, paper, book, or book chapter
• Developing and conducting a nursing CE project that is at least 5 hours
• Certification or recertification by a national certifying body recognized by the NCBON
• There are more license renewal methods.

Learn more about our North Carolina CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

North Dakota

LPNs are required to complete:

• 12 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

Learn more about our North Dakota CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Ohio

LPNs are required to complete:

• 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
• Newly Licensed LPNs do not need to complete contact hours for their FIRST renewal.
• One of the 24 contact hours must be related to the Ohio Nurse Practice Act (Category A)
• · Out-of-state LPNs seeking licensure by endorsement are required to complete 2 hours related to the Ohio Nurse Practice Act

Learn more about our Ohio CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Oklahoma

LPNs have the option to complete:

• 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years to comply with their competency requirements.
• There are also four other options to satisfy this license renewal requirement.

Learn more about our Oklahoma CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Oregon

LPNs are required to complete:

• One hour of pain management continuing education every renewal period.
• The Oregon Pain Management Commission (OPMC) offers a pain module that meets this requirement. It can be found here.
• LPNs are also required to complete a two-hour cultural competency module each renewal cycle.

Learn more about our Oregon CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Pennsylvania

LPNs are required to complete:

• two hours of child abuse recognition and reporting continuing education every two years.

Learn more about our Pennsylvania CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Rhode Island

LPNs are required to complete:

• Ten contact hours of continuing education every two years.
• Two of the ten contact hours must be on substance abuse
• One additional contact hour must be on Alzheimer’s disease (one-time requirement)

Learn more about our Rhode Island CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

South Carolina

LPNs have the option to complete:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to comply with their continued competency requirements.
• This is one of four license renewal options.

Learn more about our South Carolina CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

South Dakota

South Dakota Board of Nursing does not require continuing education for LPNs, RNs, or APRNs at this time.

Tennessee

LPNs are required to complete:

• 2 of 15 learning options every two years.
• One option is five contact hours of continuing education
• If not currently practicing, LPNs must complete 10 hours of continuing education
• There are other license renewal options.

Learn more about our Tennessee CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Texas

LVNs have the option to complete:

• 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years
• OR achieve, maintain, or renew a board-approved national nursing certification in the nurse’s area of practice.

Mandatory Continuing Education Requirements:

• Two contact hours on geriatric care for those working with the geriatric population
• Two contact hours on medical forensics for those working in the ER setting (one-time requirement)
• Two contact hours on nursing jurisprudence and ethics – required every six years (3 renewals)
• LVNs are required to complete a course on human trafficking prevention every two years.
  • There is no specified contact hour requirement for this course
  • This course must be approved by The Health and Human Services Commission.

Learn more about our Texas CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Utah

LPNs must complete 1 out of the three following methods every 2 years:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education
• 15 contact hours of continuing education and 200 hours of licensed practice
• 400 hours of licensed practice
• LPNs must also complete at least one of the following online suicide prevention trainings.

Learn more about our Utah CE Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Vermont

LPNs have the option to complete:

• 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years
• OR achieve, maintain or renew a board-approved national nursing certification in the nurse’s area of practice.
• Demonstrate they practiced for a minimum of 50 days (400 hours) in the two years preceding application or 120 days (960 hours) in the five years preceding application.

Learn more about our Vermont CE Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Virginia

LPNs are required to complete:

• 1 of 9 learning options every two years.
• One option is 15 contact hours of continuing education AND 640 hours of active practice as a nurse.
• One option is 30 contact hours of continuing education.
• The other are other learning options.

Learn more about our Virginia CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Washington

LPNs are required to complete

• 8 contact hours of continuing education annually.
• Two of the contact hours must be on health equity
• Six additional contact hours must be on Suicide Prevention Training (one-time requirement)
• LPNs that provide telehealth services must complete telehealth training (one-time requirement).

Learn more about out our Washington CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

Washington DC

LVN/LPNs are required to complete:

• 18 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
• Two of the 18 contact hours must be on LGBTQ topics or cultural awareness

Learn more about our Washington DC CEU bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

West Virginia

LPNs are required to complete:

• 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
• Two of the 24 contact hours must be on mental health conditions common to veterans and their families
• Three of the 24 contact hours must be on substance abuse
• Two of the 24 contact hours must be on end-of-life care (one-time requirement)

Learn more about our West Virginia CEU Bundle and the courses to Renew LPN licenses.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Board of Nursing does not require continuing education for LPNs at this time.

Wyoming

LPNs have the option to complete:

• 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years
• OR one of 3 other options listed here.

Learn more about our Wyoming CEU Bundle and the courses to renew LPN licenses.

The Bottom Line

LPNs bring comfort and security to their patients in many ways. Taking CE to renew LPN licenses is one way to continue building the skills. You’ll find that as your knowledge increases, so will your confidence at work. Staying up-to-date on new nursing information also helps provide better patient care and allows new solutions to be brought to the workplace.

Disclaimer: Nursing CE Central makes no claims of absolute accuracy to any of these  lpn license renewal requirements. State requirements are nuanced and vary for each individual. Nursing CE Central is not liable for any information or the consequences thereof on this page.

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