How many CE hours do nurses need in North Dakota?

Registered Nurses (RN) in North Dakota need 12 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in North Dakota?

Mandatory CE topics in North Dakota include: General CE, APRN Pharmacology.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in North Dakota?

Nursing licenses in North Dakota must be renewed every 2 years. The North Dakota Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.

What license types does North Dakota regulate?

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

North Dakota RN License Renewal Requirements

North Dakota Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-05

Quick Facts

Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE Hours (RN)	12 contact hours
Renewal Fee (RN)	$140
Compact State (NLC)	Yes — NLC member
License Types	RN, APRN, LPN, CNA

North Dakota requires all RNs, LPNs, and APRNs to complete 12 contact hours of continuing education every 2-year renewal cycle. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 15 hours in pharmacology, which can overlap with the general CE hours. Licenses expire on December 31, and the NDBON conducts random audits to verify CE compliance. North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so nurses with a multistate license can practice across all compact states.

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

Read the full North Dakota RN License Renewal Guide

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

How to Renew Your North Dakota Nursing License

1Log in to the North Dakota Board of Nursing Nurse Portal at ndbon.org
2Select your license and choose the Renew option
3Verify and update your personal and contact information
4Attest to completing the required 12 CE contact hours (15 pharmacology hours for APRNs with prescriptive authority)
5Answer all disclosure and regulatory questions
6Pay the renewal fee ($140 for RN, $130 for LPN, $80 for APRN) online
7Retain CE documentation for at least 4 years in case of audit

Visit the North Dakota Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Hours by License Type

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $140

APRN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $80

LPN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $130

CNA

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $0

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
General CE	12	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	12 contact hours of continuing education applicable to nursing practice every 2-year renewal cycle
APRN Pharmacology	15	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 15 contact hours in pharmacology per renewal cycle. These hours can simultaneously count toward the 12 general CE hours, so the effective total is 15 hours (not 27).

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: December 31, every 2 years
Grace Period: Late renewal available with additional $140 late fee for RN; practicing on an expired license is prohibited
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the North Dakota Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• All licensees must complete 12 CE contact hours within the 2 years preceding renewal
• APRNs authorized to prescribe must complete 15 hours of pharmacology CE (these can overlap with the 12 general CE hours)
• CE activities must be approved by the NDBON or accredited organizations such as ANCC
• The NDBON performs random audits — retain CE certificates for at least 4 years
• Failure to complete CE by December 31 may result in a $50 fee per contact hour not completed, up to $600
• North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the North Dakota Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCState Board of Nursing

CBCE Broker reporting is required in North Dakota

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Late Renewal Fees

RN: $50
LPN: $50

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $150
LPN: $150

CE Audit Information

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

Board Resources

North Dakota Board of Nursing

https://www.ndbon.org/

Sources

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

Always confirm requirements directly with the North Dakota Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

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How to Renew Your North Dakota Nursing License

1Log in to the North Dakota Board of Nursing Nurse Portal at ndbon.org

2Select your license and choose the Renew option

3Verify and update your personal and contact information

4Attest to completing the required 12 CE contact hours (15 pharmacology hours for APRNs with prescriptive authority)

5Answer all disclosure and regulatory questions

6Pay the renewal fee ($140 for RN, $130 for LPN, $80 for APRN) online

7Retain CE documentation for at least 4 years in case of audit

Visit the North Dakota Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
General CE	12	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	12 contact hours of continuing education applicable to nursing practice every 2-year renewal cycle
APRN Pharmacology	15	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 15 contact hours in pharmacology per renewal cycle. These hours can simultaneously count toward the 12 general CE hours, so the effective total is 15 hours (not 27).

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: December 31, every 2 years
Grace Period: Late renewal available with additional $140 late fee for RN; practicing on an expired license is prohibited
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the North Dakota Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• All licensees must complete 12 CE contact hours within the 2 years preceding renewal

• APRNs authorized to prescribe must complete 15 hours of pharmacology CE (these can overlap with the 12 general CE hours)

• CE activities must be approved by the NDBON or accredited organizations such as ANCC

• The NDBON performs random audits — retain CE certificates for at least 4 years

• Failure to complete CE by December 31 may result in a $50 fee per contact hour not completed, up to $600

• North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state

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