Every CE requirement verified against official state nursing board sources. How RenewRN verifies the data →
Every CE requirement verified against official state nursing board sources. How RenewRN verifies the data →
Kentucky Board of Nursing · 1-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-05
| Renewal Cycle | Every 1 years |
| Total CE Hours (RN) | 14 contact hours |
| Renewal Fee (RN) | $65 |
| Compact State (NLC) | Yes — NLC member |
| License Types | RN, APRN, LPN, CNA |
Kentucky requires 14 contact hours of continuing education annually for all nurses, with a renewal period running from November 1 through October 31. Nurses may alternatively complete 7 CE hours plus a satisfactory nursing employment evaluation. APRNs must additionally complete 5 hours of pharmacology CE each year. Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing nurses with a multistate license to practice across all compact states at no additional cost.
This data is verified against the Kentucky Board of Nursing — last checked 2026-02-05. If anything looks off, let me know.
Read the full Kentucky RN License Renewal Guide
Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal
Visit the Kentucky Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.
RN
14
hours / 1 years
Renewal fee: $65
APRN
14
hours / 1 years
Renewal fee: $55
LPN
14
hours / 1 years
Renewal fee: $65
CNA
0
hours / 1 years
Renewal fee: $0
| Category | Hours | Required | License Types | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General CE | 14 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA | 14 approved contact hours of CE per annual renewal period (November 1 through October 31). Alternatively, 7 contact hours plus a satisfactory nursing employment evaluation may be submitted. |
| Alternative: 7 CE + Employment Evaluation | 7 | Optional | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA | 7 approved contact hours of CE plus a satisfactory nursing employment evaluation completed during the renewal period may be used in place of the full 14 contact hours |
| APRN Pharmacology | 5 | Required | APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | APRNs must complete at least 5 contact hours in pharmacology annually (November 1 through October 31) |
| APRN Pain Management/Addiction (DEA holders) | 3 | Required | APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | APRNs registered with the DEA must complete at least 3 of the 5 pharmacology hours in pain management or addiction disorders |
| Suicide Prevention (One-Time) | 2 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA | 2 contact hours of suicide prevention required one time for nurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky or who completed a Kentucky program prior to August 2025 |
| Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (One-Time) | 1.5 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA | 1.5 contact hours on pediatric abusive head trauma required one time for nurses who care for pediatric patients (included in CE total for the year completed) |
| Domestic Violence (One-Time) | 3 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA | 3 contact hours in domestic violence required within 3 years of initial licensure for nurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky or prior to May 1988 |
Approved CE Providers
Late Renewal Fees
Reinstatement Fees
First-Time Licensee Exemption
New licensees are exempt from CE for the first renewal cycle
CE Audit Information
State board may conduct random CE audits. Retain all CE certificates for at least 4 years.
Always confirm requirements directly with the Kentucky Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.
CE hours, mandatory topics, renewal reminders — everything you need to stay compliant in Kentucky. Setup takes 60 seconds.