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 →
Field guide · License renewal
North Carolina Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle
Verified against the North Carolina Board of Nursing · Last reviewed · 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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| Renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Renewal deadline | Last day of birth month, 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 North Carolina nurse salaries |
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 2026-07-13. 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
Visit the North Carolina Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.
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Track your renewal steps with ProYou attest to your CE when you renew and keep your certificates; you only submit documents if the board audits you.
A North Carolina RN, at renewal, attests to completing a self-assessment of practice, a learning plan, and ONE of eight continuing-competence learning-activity options for the cycle; certificates are not submitted at renewal. Options include “15 Contact Hours of continued education and 640 hours of active practice within previous 2 years,” or “30 Contact Hours of continued education,” or national certification, a board-approved refresher, or CE combined with a nursing project/publication/presentation. “All continuing competence requirements must be met before renewal or reinstatement licenses will be issued.” Evidence is submitted only if audited: the Board sends random audit notices via the Nurse Portal, and licensees submit evidence of continuing competence only if specifically notified. A nurse who cannot demonstrate compliance is placed on INACTIVE status after the renewal date.
Where it happens: NCBON Nurse Portal (North Carolina Board of Nursing)
portal.ncbon.comRandom audit; the Board notifies selected nurses via the Nurse Portal at renewal, and evidence is submitted only when specifically notified. Failure to demonstrate compliance places the license on inactive status until met.
Verified 2026-07-03 against ncbon.com · ncbon.com. Always confirm with the board before relying on it.
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| Type | CE hours | Renewal fee |
|---|---|---|
| RN | 30 / 2 yrs | $100 |
| LPN | 30 / 2 yrs | $100 |
| APRN | 50 / 2 yrs | $100 (+$50/collaborating physician) |
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
| 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, accredited and state-approved courses. No upsells. Browse free North Carolina nursing CE courses
Approved CE Providers
Reinstatement Fees
Already lapsed? The North Carolina re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.
Applies to new RN licensure by examination. Verified against the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
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.
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” (July 2026), renewrn.net/states/north-carolina, verified against the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
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