How many CE hours do nurses need in Connecticut?

Registered Nurses (RN) in Connecticut need 2 continuing education hours every 1 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in Connecticut?

Mandatory CE topics in Connecticut include: Mental Health Screening & Suicide Prevention, APRN Continuing Education, APRN Pharmacotherapeutics, APRN Veterans Mental Health, APRN Mandatory Sub-Topics.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Connecticut?

Nursing licenses in Connecticut must be renewed every 1 years. The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing oversees license renewals.

What license types does Connecticut regulate?

Connecticut regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN, CNA.

Connecticut RN License Renewal Requirements

Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing · 1-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-05

Quick Facts

Renewal Cycle	Every 1 years
Total CE Hours (RN)	2 contact hours
Renewal Fee (RN)	$110
Compact State (NLC)	Yes — NLC member
License Types	RN, APRN, LPN, CNA

Connecticut has one of the lightest CE requirements for RNs and LPNs in the country — just 2 contact hours once every 6 years on mental health screening and suicide prevention. However, licenses must be renewed annually by the last day of the nurse's birth month. APRNs have a more substantial requirement of 50 CE hours every 2 years. Connecticut joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) effective October 1, 2025, allowing eligible nurses to hold a multistate license. A 90-day grace period allows continued practice while completing a late renewal.

This data is verified against the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing — last checked 2026-02-05. If anything looks off, let me know.

Read the full Connecticut RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Connecticut Nursing License

1Log in to the Connecticut eLicense portal at elicense.ct.gov
2Select your nursing license and click Renew
3Attest that you have satisfied the continuing education requirements
4If applicable, confirm completion of the 2-hour mental health screening and suicide prevention CE
5Pay the renewal fee ($110 for RN, $70 for LPN, $130 for APRN)
6Submit the application before the last day of your birth month

Visit the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Hours by License Type

hours / 1 years

Renewal fee: $110

APRN

hours / 1 years

Renewal fee: $130

LPN

hours / 1 years

Renewal fee: $70

CNA

hours / 1 years

Renewal fee: $0

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
Mental Health Screening & Suicide Prevention	2	Required	RNLPNCNA	2 contact hours once every 6 years on screening for PTSD, risk of suicide, depression and grief, plus suicide prevention training. Required for actively practicing RNs and LPNs renewing after January 1, 2022.
APRN Continuing Education	50	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	50 contact hours of CE every 2 years for APRNs licensed after October 1, 2014. Must include mandatory sub-topics: 5 hours pharmacotherapeutics, 2 hours veterans mental health, and 1 hour each in HIV/AIDS, risk management, sexual assault, domestic violence, cultural competency, and substance abuse.
APRN Pharmacotherapeutics	5	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	5 hours of pharmacotherapeutics required for APRNs (included in the 50-hour APRN total).
APRN Veterans Mental Health	2	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	2 hours on mental health conditions common to veterans and military service members (included in the 50-hour APRN total).
APRN Mandatory Sub-Topics	6	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour each in HIV/AIDS, risk management, sexual assault, domestic violence, cultural competency, and substance abuse (6 hours total, all included in the 50-hour APRN total).

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Last day of your birth month each year (annual renewal)
Grace Period: 90-day grace period following license expiration. Nurses may continue to practice during this period while renewing. On the 91st day, the license becomes void and reinstatement is required ($180 for RN, $150 for LPN, $200 for APRN).
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 1-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 3 years in case of audit by the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing

Important Notes

• Connecticut RN and LPN licenses renew annually — one of the few states with annual renewal
• RN/LPN CE requirement is minimal: only 2 hours once every 6 years on specific topics
• APRN CE requirements are separate and more extensive at 50 hours every 2 years
• Licenses expire on the last day of the nurse's birth month each year
• A 90-day grace period allows continued practice after expiration while renewing
• Connecticut joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) effective October 1, 2025
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCState Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Late Renewal Fees

RN: $50
LPN: $50

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $150
LPN: $150

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees have a reduced CE requirement of 50% for initial renewal

CE Audit Information

State board may conduct random CE audits. Retain all CE certificates for at least 4 years.

Board Resources

Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing

https://portal.ct.gov/dph/public-health-hearing-office/board-of-examiners-for-nursing/

Sources

Last verified 2026-02-05·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

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How to Renew Your Connecticut Nursing License

1Log in to the Connecticut eLicense portal at elicense.ct.gov

2Select your nursing license and click Renew

3Attest that you have satisfied the continuing education requirements

4If applicable, confirm completion of the 2-hour mental health screening and suicide prevention CE

5Pay the renewal fee ($110 for RN, $70 for LPN, $130 for APRN)

6Submit the application before the last day of your birth month

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
Mental Health Screening & Suicide Prevention	2	Required	RNLPNCNA	2 contact hours once every 6 years on screening for PTSD, risk of suicide, depression and grief, plus suicide prevention training. Required for actively practicing RNs and LPNs renewing after January 1, 2022.
APRN Continuing Education	50	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	50 contact hours of CE every 2 years for APRNs licensed after October 1, 2014. Must include mandatory sub-topics: 5 hours pharmacotherapeutics, 2 hours veterans mental health, and 1 hour each in HIV/AIDS, risk management, sexual assault, domestic violence, cultural competency, and substance abuse.
APRN Pharmacotherapeutics	5	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	5 hours of pharmacotherapeutics required for APRNs (included in the 50-hour APRN total).
APRN Veterans Mental Health	2	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	2 hours on mental health conditions common to veterans and military service members (included in the 50-hour APRN total).
APRN Mandatory Sub-Topics	6	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour each in HIV/AIDS, risk management, sexual assault, domestic violence, cultural competency, and substance abuse (6 hours total, all included in the 50-hour APRN total).

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Last day of your birth month each year (annual renewal)
Grace Period: 90-day grace period following license expiration. Nurses may continue to practice during this period while renewing. On the 91st day, the license becomes void and reinstatement is required ($180 for RN, $150 for LPN, $200 for APRN).
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 1-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 3 years in case of audit by the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing

Important Notes

• Connecticut RN and LPN licenses renew annually — one of the few states with annual renewal

• RN/LPN CE requirement is minimal: only 2 hours once every 6 years on specific topics

• APRN CE requirements are separate and more extensive at 50 hours every 2 years

• Licenses expire on the last day of the nurse's birth month each year

• A 90-day grace period allows continued practice after expiration while renewing

• Connecticut joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) effective October 1, 2025

• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing.