North Carolina LPN CE Courses (2026)

To renew your LPN license in North Carolina you need to satisfy the North Carolina Board of Nursing's continuing education (CE) requirement . Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.

What North Carolina requires for LPN renewal

CE hours requiredNo single fixed hour count — see details
Renewal cycle24 months
Governing bodyNorth Carolina Board of Nursing

North Carolina uses a continuing-competence framework rather than a single fixed CE-hours mandate. At renewal, every licensee attests to completing a self-assessment, developing a learning plan, and completing one of several approved learning activity options during the cycle. Options include a practice-hours-plus-CE pathway (15 contact hours plus 640 hours of active practice within the prior 2 years), a CE-only pathway (30 contact hours of continuing education related to the nurse's practice), national certification/re-certification by a Board-recognized body, and other options (e.g., academic coursework, board-approved refresher, nursing project/publication). Employer-sponsored CE may count for no more than 50% of contact hours; activities must be at least 30 minutes with a learning objective. Evidence is submitted only if specifically requested/audited by the Board. No specific mandatory topics are required.

Full LPN renewal guide for North Carolina (deadlines, fees & CE) →

North Carolina LPN CE course providers

Heads-up: These are independent, third-party CE providers — we are not affiliated with them and don't guarantee approval. Always confirm a course is accepted by the North Carolina Board of Nursing before purchasing.

North Carolina LPN CE courses: frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do I need to renew my LPN license in North Carolina?

North Carolina does not set a single fixed CE-hour count for LPN renewal. North Carolina uses a continuing-competence framework rather than a single fixed CE-hours mandate. At renewal, every licensee attests to completing a self-assessment, developing a learning plan, and completing one of several approved learning activity options during the cycle. Options include a practice-hours-plus-CE pathway (15 contact hours plus 640 hours of active practice within the prior 2 years), a CE-only pathway (30 contact hours of continuing education related to the nurse's practice), national certification/re-certification by a Board-recognized body, and other options (e.g., academic coursework, board-approved refresher, nursing project/publication). Employer-sponsored CE may count for no more than 50% of contact hours; activities must be at least 30 minutes with a learning objective. Evidence is submitted only if specifically requested/audited by the Board. No specific mandatory topics are required.

Do online LPN CE courses count in North Carolina?

Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.

Where do I report my North Carolina LPN CE?

North Carolina generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.

Official North Carolina Board of Nursing site →

LPN CE courses in another state

Other CE course guides in North Carolina