Kentucky is one of the few states with an annual nursing license renewal cycle, requiring 14 CE contact hours each year — or 7 hours plus a satisfactory employment evaluation. With additional requirements for APRNs and one-time topic mandates, here's your complete guide to staying current.
Kentucky RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The Kentucky Board of Nursing requires all Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses to complete 14 approved contact hours of continuing education each annual renewal period (November 1 through October 31). Alternatively, nurses may complete 7 CE hours plus a satisfactory employment evaluation.
Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so nurses with a multistate license can practice across all compact states at no additional cost.
What Is Required for Renewal?
For RNs and LPNs:
- 14 contact hours of CE per annual renewal cycle (November 1 through October 31)
- Alternative option: 7 contact hours of CE plus a satisfactory nursing employment evaluation
- 7 hours must be from approved providers — KBN, another state board, or a national nursing organization
- One-time: 2 hours suicide prevention — required for nurses who completed a program outside Kentucky or before August 2025
- One-time: 3 hours domestic violence — required within 3 years of initial licensure for nurses who completed a program outside Kentucky or before May 1988
For APRNs (additional requirements):
- 5 contact hours of pharmacology annually (November 1 through October 31)
- DEA-registered APRNs: at least 3 of the 5 pharmacology hours must be in pain management or addiction disorders
- APRN certification may satisfy the 14-hour RN CE requirement if obtained or renewed during the licensure period
Important Renewal Dates
- Renewal period: September 15 through October 31 annually
- CE earning period: November 1 through October 31
- Deadline: October 31 (midnight EDT)
- Fees: $65 for RN/LPN; $55 per APRN designation
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Kentucky Nursing License
- Complete your CE hours. Finish 14 approved contact hours (or 7 hours plus an employment evaluation) between November 1 and October 31.
- Verify one-time requirements. Ensure suicide prevention and domestic violence CE have been completed if applicable to your situation.
- Log in to the KBN online portal. Visit kbn.ky.gov during the September 15 through October 31 renewal window.
- Complete the renewal application. Answer all required questions and attest to meeting CE requirements.
- Pay the renewal fee. $65 for RN/LPN or $55 per APRN designation.
- Retain CE documentation. Keep all certificates for five years in case of audit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting it's an annual renewal. Unlike most states that use a 2-year cycle, Kentucky requires renewal every year. Don't assume you have two years to accumulate CE hours.
- Missing the one-time requirements. Suicide prevention (2 hours) and domestic violence (3 hours) are easy to overlook since they're only required once. Check whether they apply to you based on where and when you completed your nursing program.
- Not using approved providers for 7 required hours. At least 7 of your contact hours must come from a CE provider approved by KBN, another state board, or a national nursing organization.
- APRNs skipping pharmacology hours. The 5 hours of pharmacology CE are separate from and in addition to the general RN CE requirement. DEA-registered APRNs have further topic restrictions.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Start early in the CE earning period. With an annual cycle, it's easy to fall behind. Begin accumulating hours shortly after November 1.
- Consider the 7+evaluation option. If you have a current employer who can provide a satisfactory evaluation, you only need 7 CE hours instead of 14.
- Track your hours year-round. RenewRN monitors your CE progress and sends reminders so you never miss Kentucky's annual October 31 deadline.
- Leverage your NLC multistate license. As a compact state, Kentucky's multistate license lets you practice in other NLC states without additional applications.
Track Your Kentucky CE Requirements with RenewRN
Kentucky's annual renewal cycle means staying on top of your CE every year. RenewRN tracks your hours, monitors APRN pharmacology requirements, and sends deadline reminders so you never miss a renewal.