North Dakota requires 12 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for RN license renewal — one of the lower CE requirements in the country. As a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, a North Dakota multistate license lets you practice across all compact states. Here's your complete guide.
North Dakota RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON) requires all RNs, LPNs, and APRNs to complete 12 contact hours of continuing education within the 2 years preceding their renewal date. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 15 hours of pharmacology CE, which can simultaneously count toward the 12 general CE hours.
North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so nurses with a multistate license can practice across all compact states without obtaining additional licenses.
What Is Required for Renewal?
For RNs and LPNs:
- 12 CE contact hours every 2-year renewal cycle
- CE activities must be approved by the NDBON or accredited organizations such as ANCC
- Renewal fee: $140 for RN, $130 for LPN
For APRNs (15 hours minimum):
- 15 pharmacology hours for APRNs with prescriptive authority (these can simultaneously satisfy the 12 general CE hours)
- Renewal fee: $80 for APRN
Important Renewal Dates
- Deadline: December 31, every 2 years
- Renewal opens: October 1 of the renewal year
- Late penalty: $50 per contact hour not completed, up to $600 total
- Late renewal fee: An additional $140 late fee for RNs
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your North Dakota Nursing License
- Log in to the NDBON Nurse Portal. Visit ndbon.org and access the nurse portal to begin your renewal.
- Select your license and choose Renew. Verify that all personal and contact information is current.
- Complete your 12 CE hours. Ensure all hours are from NDBON-approved or ANCC-accredited providers.
- Attest to CE completion. Confirm that you have completed the required continuing education hours.
- Answer disclosure questions. Respond to questions about professional conduct and criminal history.
- Pay the renewal fee. $140 for RN, $130 for LPN, or $80 for APRN.
- Retain your CE records. Keep certificates for at least 4 years in case of a random audit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not completing CE before December 31. The NDBON assesses a $50 penalty per contact hour not completed by the deadline, up to $600. Plan ahead and finish early.
- Using non-approved CE providers. Only courses from NDBON-approved or ANCC-accredited providers count toward your requirement. Verify provider accreditation before enrolling.
- Discarding CE certificates too soon. The NDBON conducts random audits and requires documentation going back 4 years. Keep digital and physical copies.
- APRNs overlooking pharmacology hours. The 15 pharmacology hours can overlap with the general 12 CE hours, so the effective minimum is 15 hours. Make sure all 15 are in pharmacology.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Spread your CE throughout the cycle. With only 12 hours required over 2 years, completing just 1 hour per quarter keeps you on track without any last-minute stress.
- Renew as soon as the portal opens October 1. Don't wait until December — the portal can experience high traffic near the deadline.
- Take advantage of NLC benefits. As a compact state, your North Dakota multistate license lets you practice in other NLC states without extra licenses — ideal for travel nursing.
- Track your CE and deadlines with RenewRN. RenewRN tracks your CE hours and sends reminders so you never miss a deadline or fall behind on requirements.
Track Your North Dakota License with RenewRN
With the NDBON's random audit system and per-hour penalties for incomplete CE, staying organized is critical. RenewRN tracks your CE progress, sends reminders at 90, 60, 30, 7, and 1 day before your license expires, and keeps your certificates organized for audit readiness.