North Carolina RN CE Courses (2026)
To renew your RN 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 RN renewal
| CE hours required | No single fixed hour count — see details |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | North Carolina Board of Nursing |
North Carolina uses a continuing-competence requirement (21 NCAC 36 .0232) rather than one fixed CE-hour mandate — you complete one of eight learning options each cycle. The most common is 15 contact hours of CE plus 640 hours of active practice in the prior two years; others include national certification/recertification, 30 contact hours of CE, a board-approved refresher course, or two semester hours of post-licensure academic nursing study.
Full RN renewal guide for North Carolina (deadlines, fees & CE) →
North Carolina RN CE course providers
- Nurse.com CE
Large catalog of accredited nursing CE, including state-mandated topic courses.
- Elite Learning — Nursing CE
State-specific RN CE packages bundled around each state's renewal requirements.
- CEUfast
ANCC-accredited unlimited-CE subscription accepted in most states.
- Wild Iris Medical Education
Individual accredited nursing CE courses, including pharmacology and ethics.
- Western Schools
RN CE course bundles organized by state renewal rules.
North Carolina RN CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my RN license in North Carolina?
North Carolina does not set a single fixed CE-hour count for RN renewal. North Carolina uses a continuing-competence requirement (21 NCAC 36 .0232) rather than one fixed CE-hour mandate — you complete one of eight learning options each cycle. The most common is 15 contact hours of CE plus 640 hours of active practice in the prior two years; others include national certification/recertification, 30 contact hours of CE, a board-approved refresher course, or two semester hours of post-licensure academic nursing study.
Do online RN 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 RN 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 →
RN CE courses in another state
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