How many CE hours do nurses need in Vermont?

Registered Nurses (RN) in Vermont need 20 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in Vermont?

Mandatory CE topics in Vermont include: Continuing Competency, APRN National Certification.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Vermont?

Nursing licenses in Vermont must be renewed every 2 years. The Vermont Board of Nursing — Office of Professional Regulation oversees license renewals.

What license types does Vermont regulate?

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

Vermont RN License Renewal Requirements

Vermont Board of Nursing — Office of Professional Regulation · 2-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-04

Quick Facts

Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE Hours (RN)	20 contact hours
Renewal Fee (RN)	$220
Compact State (NLC)	Yes — NLC member
License Types	RN, APRN, LPN, CNA

Vermont requires nurses to demonstrate continuing competency every two years through one of three pathways: completing 400 hours of active practice in the last 2 years (or 960 hours in 5 years), completing 20 hours of approved CE, or holding current national nursing certification. RN licenses expire on March 31 of odd-numbered years, while LPN licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years. Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state. Renewal fees are $220 for RNs, $200 for LPNs, and $145 for APRNs.

This data is verified against the Vermont Board of Nursing — Office of Professional Regulation — last checked 2026-02-04. If anything looks off, let me know.

Read the full Vermont RN License Renewal Guide

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

How to Renew Your Vermont Nursing License

1Log in to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation online portal at sos.vermont.gov/nursing
2Select your license type and begin the renewal application
3Confirm you meet the continuing competency requirement (practice hours, 20 CE hours, or national certification)
4If dispensing controlled substances, confirm completion of the 2-hour controlled substances CE
5APRNs: renew your RN license first, then submit APRN renewal with proof of national certification
6Answer all attestation and disclosure questions
7Pay the renewal fee ($220 for RN, $200 for LPN, $145 for APRN)
8Submit the renewal before the expiration deadline

Visit the Vermont Board of Nursing — Office of Professional Regulation website for the official renewal portal.

CE Hours by License Type

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $220

APRN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $145

LPN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $200

CNA

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $50

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
Continuing Competency	20	Required	RNLPNCNA	Complete one of the following: (1) 400 hours (50 days) of active nursing practice in the last 2 years or 960 hours (120 days) in the last 5 years, or (2) 20 contact hours of approved continuing education within the last 2 years, or (3) hold a current nationally recognized nursing certification.
Controlled Substances CE	2	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	Nurses who dispense controlled substances must complete 2 hours of CE on abuse and diversion, safe use, appropriate storage and disposal of controlled substances, and the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (included in total CE hours).
APRN National Certification	0	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs must first renew their RN license, then maintain current certification by a national APRN certifying organization to renew their APRN license.

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: March 31 of odd-numbered years (RN); January 31 of even-numbered years (LPN)
Grace Period: License expires at midnight on the expiration date. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited. Late renewal may be available with additional fees.
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 Vermont Board of Nursing — Office of Professional Regulation

Important Notes

• Vermont offers three pathways: practice hours, 20 CE hours, or current national certification
• RN licenses expire on March 31 of odd-numbered years
• LPN licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years
• APRNs must renew their RN license first, then renew their APRN license separately
• Nurses dispensing controlled substances have a 2-hour topic-specific CE requirement
• Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state
• Retain CE certificates for at least 4 years for potential audit
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Vermont Board of 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

CE Audit Information

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

Board Resources

Vermont Board of Nursing — Office of Professional Regulation

https://sos.vermont.gov/nursing/

Sources

Last verified 2026-02-04·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Vermont Board of Nursing — Office of Professional Regulation before making decisions about your license renewal.

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How to Renew Your Vermont Nursing License

1Log in to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation online portal at sos.vermont.gov/nursing

2Select your license type and begin the renewal application

3Confirm you meet the continuing competency requirement (practice hours, 20 CE hours, or national certification)

4If dispensing controlled substances, confirm completion of the 2-hour controlled substances CE

5APRNs: renew your RN license first, then submit APRN renewal with proof of national certification

6Answer all attestation and disclosure questions

7Pay the renewal fee ($220 for RN, $200 for LPN, $145 for APRN)

8Submit the renewal before the expiration deadline

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
Continuing Competency	20	Required	RNLPNCNA	Complete one of the following: (1) 400 hours (50 days) of active nursing practice in the last 2 years or 960 hours (120 days) in the last 5 years, or (2) 20 contact hours of approved continuing education within the last 2 years, or (3) hold a current nationally recognized nursing certification.
Controlled Substances CE	2	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	Nurses who dispense controlled substances must complete 2 hours of CE on abuse and diversion, safe use, appropriate storage and disposal of controlled substances, and the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (included in total CE hours).
APRN National Certification	0	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs must first renew their RN license, then maintain current certification by a national APRN certifying organization to renew their APRN license.

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: March 31 of odd-numbered years (RN); January 31 of even-numbered years (LPN)
Grace Period: License expires at midnight on the expiration date. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited. Late renewal may be available with additional fees.
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 Vermont Board of Nursing — Office of Professional Regulation

Important Notes

• Vermont offers three pathways: practice hours, 20 CE hours, or current national certification

• RN licenses expire on March 31 of odd-numbered years

• LPN licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years

• APRNs must renew their RN license first, then renew their APRN license separately

• Nurses dispensing controlled substances have a 2-hour topic-specific CE requirement

• Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state

• Retain CE certificates for at least 4 years for potential audit

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