How many CE hours do nurses need in District of Columbia?

Registered Nurses (RN) in District of Columbia need 24 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in District of Columbia?

Mandatory CE topics in District of Columbia include: General Continuing Education, Public Health, LGBTQ Cultural Competency.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in District of Columbia?

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

What license types does District of Columbia regulate?

District of Columbia regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LVN, CNA.

District of Columbia RN License Renewal Requirements

District of Columbia Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-05

Quick Facts

Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE Hours (RN)	24 contact hours
Renewal Fee (RN)	$195
Compact State (NLC)	No
License Types	RN, APRN, LVN, CNA

The District of Columbia requires RNs and APRNs to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle, while LPNs need 18 hours. Within those hours, at least 3 must cover public health topics and 2 must address LGBTQ cultural competency. DC is not a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member, so nurses must hold a DC-specific license to practice in the district. RN and APRN licenses expire on June 30 of even-numbered years, with a 60-day grace period available for late renewal with an additional $85 fee.

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

Read the full District of Columbia RN License Renewal Guide

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

How to Renew Your District of Columbia Nursing License

1Log in to the DC Health online renewal portal at doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals
2Select your license type (RN, LPN, or APRN) and begin the renewal application
3Attest to completing CE hours (24 for RN/APRN, 18 for LPN) including 3 hours of public health and 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency
4Answer all disclosure questions regarding professional conduct and criminal history
5Pay the renewal fee ($195 for RN/LPN) by Visa or Mastercard
6Retain CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit

Visit the District of Columbia Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Hours by License Type

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $195

APRN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $375

LVN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $195

CNA

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $12

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
General Continuing Education	24	Required	RNLVNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	24 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle for RNs and APRNs; 18 contact hours for LPNs.
Public Health	3	Required	RNLVNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	3 hours in public health topics (included in the 24-hour total).
LGBTQ Cultural Competency	2	Required	RNLVNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competency (included in the 24-hour total).

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: June 30 of even-numbered years (RN/APRN); June 30 of odd-numbered years (LPN)
Grace Period: 60-day grace period after the June 30 deadline with an $85 late fee; licensees may not practice after August 29 without an active license
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 District of Columbia Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• DC requires 24 CE hours per 2-year renewal cycle for RNs and APRNs; LPNs need 18 CE hours
• Mandatory topics include 3 hours of public health and 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency
• RN and APRN licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years; LPN licenses expire June 30 of odd-numbered years
• District of Columbia is NOT a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member
• A 60-day grace period is available after the June 30 deadline with an $85 late fee
• CE certificates should be retained for at least 4 years for audit purposes
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the DC Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCDC Board of NursingCE Broker Approved

CBCE Broker reporting is required in District of Columbia

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Late Renewal Fees

RN: $100
LVN: $100

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $150
LVN: $150

CE Audit Information

DC Board of Nursing may conduct random CE audits and uses CE Broker for tracking.

Board Resources

District of Columbia Board of Nursing

https://dchealth.dc.gov/bon

Sources

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

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

Track your District of Columbia license — free

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How to Renew Your District of Columbia Nursing License

1Log in to the DC Health online renewal portal at doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals

2Select your license type (RN, LPN, or APRN) and begin the renewal application

3Attest to completing CE hours (24 for RN/APRN, 18 for LPN) including 3 hours of public health and 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency

4Answer all disclosure questions regarding professional conduct and criminal history

5Pay the renewal fee ($195 for RN/LPN) by Visa or Mastercard

6Retain CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
General Continuing Education	24	Required	RNLVNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	24 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle for RNs and APRNs; 18 contact hours for LPNs.
Public Health	3	Required	RNLVNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	3 hours in public health topics (included in the 24-hour total).
LGBTQ Cultural Competency	2	Required	RNLVNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competency (included in the 24-hour total).

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: June 30 of even-numbered years (RN/APRN); June 30 of odd-numbered years (LPN)
Grace Period: 60-day grace period after the June 30 deadline with an $85 late fee; licensees may not practice after August 29 without an active license
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 District of Columbia Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• DC requires 24 CE hours per 2-year renewal cycle for RNs and APRNs; LPNs need 18 CE hours

• Mandatory topics include 3 hours of public health and 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency

• RN and APRN licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years; LPN licenses expire June 30 of odd-numbered years

• District of Columbia is NOT a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member

• A 60-day grace period is available after the June 30 deadline with an $85 late fee

• CE certificates should be retained for at least 4 years for audit purposes

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