How many CE hours do nurses need in North Carolina?

Registered Nurses (RN) in North Carolina need 30 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in North Carolina?

North Carolina does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.

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

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

What is the RN renewal fee in North Carolina?

The RN renewal fee in North Carolina is $100. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the North Carolina Board of Nursing portal before submitting.

When are nursing licenses due for renewal in North Carolina?

North Carolina nursing licenses are due last day of birth month, every 2 years.

Is North Carolina part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes. North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.

Does North Carolina require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?

No. North Carolina does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.

What license types does North Carolina regulate?

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

How many CE hours do LPNs need in North Carolina?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in North Carolina need 30 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $100.

What does APRN renewal require in North Carolina?

APRNs in North Carolina complete 50 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $100 (+$50/collaborating physician). Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

North Carolina RN License Renewal Requirements

Name: North Carolina Nursing License Renewal
Creator: RenewRN

Verified 2026-05-13

North Carolina Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified by the North Carolina Board of Nursing · Last reviewed May 13, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, North Carolina RNs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $100.

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We watch the North Carolinaboard so you don't have to. One email, only when a CE or license rule actually changes. Not a newsletter, rare by nature, unsubscribe anytime.

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Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE hours (RN)	30 contact hours
Renewal fee (RN)	$100
Compact state (NLC)	Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility
License types	RN, LPN, APRN
Typical pay	See nurse salary by state

North Carolina requires Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2-year renewal cycle, or 15 hours plus a qualifying alternative such as 640 hours of active practice or national certification. Unlike many states, North Carolina does not mandate specific CE topics for RN/LPN renewal. APRNs/NPs face a higher 50-hour requirement with specific provider approval standards. North Carolina is one of the original Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member states and enforces a strict no-grace-period policy.

Verified against the North Carolina Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-05-13. Found something off? Let me know.

North Carolina CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full North Carolina RN License Renewal Guide

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

How to Renew Your North Carolina Nursing License

1Go to the NCBON Nurse Portal at portal.ncbon.com and log in
2Complete the online renewal application
3Affirm that all continuing competence requirements have been met
4Pay the $100 renewal fee online
5Do not submit CE documentation unless specifically notified by the Board (random audits are conducted)
6Retain CE documentation for audit purposes

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

Free PDF

Get the North Carolina RN renewal checklist

A one-page, board-verified checklist: every CE requirement, mandatory topic, fee, deadline, and renewal step for North Carolina. Enter your email and it downloads instantly. No account needed.

Free-CE picks every Friday + monthly digest. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

Want it tracked against your own license with reminders before each deadline? Create a free account

CE Hours by License Type

North Carolina ranks #22 of 51 for RN renewal burden, in the middle in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	30 / 2 yrs	$100
LPN	30 / 2 yrs	$100
APRN	50 / 2 yrs	$100 (+$50/collaborating physician)

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts

APRN renewal in North Carolina. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full North Carolina APRN renewal guide

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
General CE	30	Required	RNLPN	Total continuing education contact hours required for renewal (or 15 hours plus a qualifying alternative such as 640 practice hours, research, publication, or national certification)
APRN/NP CE	50	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	50 total CE hours for NP approval renewal: at least 20 hours from ANCC/ACCME-approved providers, with remaining hours at the advanced practice level
Controlled Substance Prescribing	1	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour on controlled substance prescribing required for NPs who prescribe controlled substances (included in total hours)
Nursing Practice	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	All CE must be relevant to nursing practice. North Carolina does not mandate specific topics for RN/LPN renewal.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): North Carolina CNA renewal is handled by the state nurse-aide registry, not the Board of Nursing, and follows a work-hours / in-service model rather than the CE above. Check your state nurse-aide registry for CNA requirements.

Find free North Carolina CE. Verified ANCC-accredited and state-approved courses. No affiliate links, no upsells. Browse free courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Last day of birth month, every 2 years
Grace Period: Not specified; confirm with your board
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 5 years in case of audit by the North Carolina Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month every 2 years
• RN/LPNs may complete 15 CE hours plus a qualifying alternative instead of the full 30 hours
• Qualifying alternatives include: 640 hours of active practice, nursing research, authoring nursing publications, developing CE programs, or maintaining national certification
• North Carolina does not mandate specific CE topics for RN/LPN renewal. All CE must be relevant to nursing practice
• APRNs/NPs need 50 hours with at least 20 from ANCC/ACCME-approved or national credentialing body CE providers
• There is NO grace period. Licenses expire at midnight on the last day of your birth month with no exceptions
• CE documentation is only required if notified by the Board through a random audit
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCNorth Carolina Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $180
LPN: $180

Already lapsed? The North Carolina re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees are exempt from CE for the initial renewal period

CE Audit Information

North Carolina Board of Nursing conducts random CE audits. Keep records for 2 renewal periods.

Frequently asked questions about North Carolina nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in North Carolina?: Registered Nurses (RN) in North Carolina need 30 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.
What are the mandatory CE topics in North Carolina?: North Carolina does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in North Carolina?: Nursing licenses in North Carolina must be renewed every 2 years. The North Carolina Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in North Carolina?: The RN renewal fee in North Carolina is $100. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the North Carolina Board of Nursing portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in North Carolina?: North Carolina nursing licenses are due last day of birth month, every 2 years.
Is North Carolina part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: Yes. North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.
Does North Carolina require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. North Carolina does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does North Carolina regulate?: North Carolina regulates the following nursing license types: RN, LPN, APRN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in North Carolina?: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in North Carolina need 30 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $100.
What does APRN renewal require in North Carolina?: APRNs in North Carolina complete 50 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $100 (+$50/collaborating physician). Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Sources & Board Resources

North Carolina Board of Nursing

https://www.ncbon.com

Sources

Cite or embed this page

These North Carolina renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:

RenewRN, “North Carolina Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (May 2026), renewrn.net/states/north-carolina, verified against the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

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Journalists & educators: for state-level detail, custom data cuts, or comment, contact support@renewrn.net.

Last verified 2026-05-13·View official source →

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

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More for North Carolina nurses

North Carolina RN License Renewal Requirements

Verified 2026-05-13

North Carolina Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified by the North Carolina Board of Nursing · Last reviewed May 13, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, North Carolina RNs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $100.

Get an alert if North Carolina changes a rule

We watch the North Carolinaboard so you don't have to. One email, only when a CE or license rule actually changes. Not a newsletter, rare by nature, unsubscribe anytime.

Free. We only use your email for North Carolina rule alerts, and never sell it.

Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE hours (RN)	30 contact hours
Renewal fee (RN)	$100
Compact state (NLC)	Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility
License types	RN, LPN, APRN
Typical pay	See nurse salary by state

Verified against the North Carolina Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-05-13. Found something off? Let me know.

North Carolina CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full North Carolina RN License Renewal Guide

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

How to Renew Your North Carolina Nursing License

1Go to the NCBON Nurse Portal at portal.ncbon.com and log in
2Complete the online renewal application
3Affirm that all continuing competence requirements have been met
4Pay the $100 renewal fee online
5Do not submit CE documentation unless specifically notified by the Board (random audits are conducted)
6Retain CE documentation for audit purposes

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

Free PDF

Get the North Carolina RN renewal checklist

A one-page, board-verified checklist: every CE requirement, mandatory topic, fee, deadline, and renewal step for North Carolina. Enter your email and it downloads instantly. No account needed.

Free-CE picks every Friday + monthly digest. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

Want it tracked against your own license with reminders before each deadline? Create a free account

CE Hours by License Type

North Carolina ranks #22 of 51 for RN renewal burden, in the middle in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	30 / 2 yrs	$100
LPN	30 / 2 yrs	$100
APRN	50 / 2 yrs	$100 (+$50/collaborating physician)

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts

APRN renewal in North Carolina. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full North Carolina APRN renewal guide

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
General CE	30	Required	RNLPN	Total continuing education contact hours required for renewal (or 15 hours plus a qualifying alternative such as 640 practice hours, research, publication, or national certification)
APRN/NP CE	50	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	50 total CE hours for NP approval renewal: at least 20 hours from ANCC/ACCME-approved providers, with remaining hours at the advanced practice level
Controlled Substance Prescribing	1	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour on controlled substance prescribing required for NPs who prescribe controlled substances (included in total hours)
Nursing Practice	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	All CE must be relevant to nursing practice. North Carolina does not mandate specific topics for RN/LPN renewal.

Find free North Carolina CE. Verified ANCC-accredited and state-approved courses. No affiliate links, no upsells. Browse free courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Last day of birth month, every 2 years
Grace Period: Not specified; confirm with your board
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 5 years in case of audit by the North Carolina Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month every 2 years
• RN/LPNs may complete 15 CE hours plus a qualifying alternative instead of the full 30 hours
• Qualifying alternatives include: 640 hours of active practice, nursing research, authoring nursing publications, developing CE programs, or maintaining national certification
• North Carolina does not mandate specific CE topics for RN/LPN renewal. All CE must be relevant to nursing practice
• APRNs/NPs need 50 hours with at least 20 from ANCC/ACCME-approved or national credentialing body CE providers
• There is NO grace period. Licenses expire at midnight on the last day of your birth month with no exceptions
• CE documentation is only required if notified by the Board through a random audit
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCNorth Carolina Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $180
LPN: $180

Already lapsed? The North Carolina re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees are exempt from CE for the initial renewal period

CE Audit Information

North Carolina Board of Nursing conducts random CE audits. Keep records for 2 renewal periods.

Frequently asked questions about North Carolina nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in North Carolina?: Registered Nurses (RN) in North Carolina need 30 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.
What are the mandatory CE topics in North Carolina?: North Carolina does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in North Carolina?: Nursing licenses in North Carolina must be renewed every 2 years. The North Carolina Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in North Carolina?: The RN renewal fee in North Carolina is $100. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the North Carolina Board of Nursing portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in North Carolina?: North Carolina nursing licenses are due last day of birth month, every 2 years.
Is North Carolina part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: Yes. North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.
Does North Carolina require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. North Carolina does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does North Carolina regulate?: North Carolina regulates the following nursing license types: RN, LPN, APRN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in North Carolina?: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in North Carolina need 30 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $100.
What does APRN renewal require in North Carolina?: APRNs in North Carolina complete 50 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $100 (+$50/collaborating physician). Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Sources & Board Resources

North Carolina Board of Nursing

https://www.ncbon.com

Sources

Cite or embed this page

These North Carolina renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:

RenewRN, “North Carolina Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (May 2026), renewrn.net/states/north-carolina, verified against the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

Embed the North Carolina requirements on your site

Paste this where you want the requirement summary to appear:

<iframe src="https://www.renewrn.net/embed/states/north-carolina" width="100%" height="480"
  style="border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy"
  title="North Carolina RN renewal requirements by RenewRN"></iframe>

Journalists & educators: for state-level detail, custom data cuts, or comment, contact support@renewrn.net.

Last verified 2026-05-13·View official source →

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

Don't miss your North Carolina renewal

Create a free account to track your CE and get reminders before your deadline. Setup takes 60 seconds.

Get reminders on your actual North Carolina renewal date

Create a free account

Start free View All States

North Carolina RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your North Carolina Nursing License

Get the North Carolina RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Frequently asked questions about North Carolina nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other Nurse Licensure Compact states

Don't miss your North Carolina renewal

More for North Carolina nurses

North Carolina RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your North Carolina Nursing License

Get the North Carolina RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Frequently asked questions about North Carolina nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other Nurse Licensure Compact states

Don't miss your North Carolina renewal

More for North Carolina nurses