Nursing is one of the most trusted and fast-moving professions in the world. With healthcare rules changing often and new treatments being introduced, nurses cannot rely only on what they learned in medical school. They must keep learning throughout their careers, and that’s where continuing education for nurses comes in.

According to the American Association of College of Nursing, there are over 4.7 million registered nurses in the country today. Many of them are required to complete continuing education each year to maintain their licenses. In fact, nearly half of the U.S. states require between 20 to 30 hours of education every two years. But the rules aren’t the same for everyone. They vary based on location, license type, specialty, and even employer policies. So, how often do nurses really need to complete continuing education? And what exactly does it involve? Let’s break it down.

Continuing education, often called CE, means any type of learning nurses take on after earning their license. These are not full-time courses or college degrees. Instead, they are short programs focused on current medical topics, safety updates, clinical skills, or ethical issues.

Some examples include infection control, medication safety, wound care, mental health support, and even workplace violence prevention. These courses help nurses stay informed, sharpen their skills, and provide better care to patients.

The answer depends on where you work and what kind of license you hold. Most states in the U.S. require registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to complete continuing education every two years to renew their license. However, the number of hours required can vary by state, which is summarized in the following table:

Some states go a step further by asking for topic-specific training. For example, New York requires nurses to complete infection control and child abuse identification courses every four years. In states like Arizona or Colorado, there may be no CE requirement at all, but nurses must prove they have stayed active in the field through work experience or skill refreshers.

Some nurses work in pediatrics, others in trauma care. Some are school nurses, while others work in surgical units or nursing homes. The right courses should match their area of practice, career goals, and licensing board requirements.

For example, a nurse working with older adults may choose CE in fall prevention, wound care, or dementia care. A nurse in an emergency room might receive training in triage, trauma response, or drug overdose management. Nurses in leadership roles may take courses in communication, delegation, or ethical decision-making.

Many state boards require nurses to complete a portion of their hours in specific topics like ethics, pain management, or cultural sensitivity. The rest can often be chosen based on personal or professional interests.

Not quite. Continuing education for nurses focuses on short-term learning and license renewal. Specialty certification, on the other hand, means passing a national exam to show advanced knowledge in a certain field, like oncology, pediatrics, or critical care.

That said, CE courses often help nurses prepare for those specialty exams. And in some cases, maintaining a specialty certification also requires regular CE. So while they are not the same thing, they work hand in hand for nurses looking to build a strong and lasting career.

Yes. One of the best things about continuing education today is flexibility. Nurses can take approved CE courses in person or online. Many prefer online learning because it fits better into long shifts, family duties, or odd working hours. As long as the provider is approved by the state nursing board or by a national accrediting body like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the hours count toward license renewal. Some online courses are free, while others charge a fee depending on the content, topic, or provider.

Continuing education for nurses isn’t just a rule on paper. It’s a way to grow, stay sharp, and deliver better care every day. Most nurses need to complete their CE hours every two years, though the exact rules depend on the state and license.

Whether taken online or in person, these courses help nurses stay updated with the latest advances in healthcare while also building confidence, career paths, and patient trust. For a profession built on care, learning never really ends. And that’s exactly what makes enrolling in a recognized online continuing education course for nurses deeply rewarding.