How many CE hours do nurses need in Ohio?

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

What are the mandatory CE topics in Ohio?

Mandatory CE topics in Ohio include: Ohio Nurse Practice Act & Rules (Category A).

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Ohio?

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

What is the RN renewal fee in Ohio?

The RN renewal fee in Ohio is $65. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Ohio Board of Nursing portal before submitting.

When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Ohio?

Ohio nursing licenses are due october 31 of the renewal year (odd years for rn/aprn, even years for lpn).

Is Ohio part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

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

Does Ohio require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?

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

What license types does Ohio regulate?

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

How many CE hours do LPNs need in Ohio?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Ohio need 24 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $65.

What does APRN renewal require in Ohio?

APRNs in Ohio complete 48 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $135. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

What happens if you miss the license renewal deadline in Ohio?

The RN late-renewal fee is $50 late processing fee, in addition to the $65 renewal fee ($115 total to renew late), per OAC 4723-7-09. If your license has lapsed, do not practice until your renewal is processed; confirm your status with the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Field guide · License renewal

Ohio RN License Renewal Requirements

Name: Ohio Nursing License Renewal
Creator: RenewRN

Verified 2026-07-13

Ohio Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified against the Ohio Board of Nursing · Last reviewed July 13, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

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

As of 2026, Ohio RNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $65.

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Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Renewal deadline	October 31 of the renewal year (odd years for RN/APRN, even years for LPN)
Total CE hours (RN)	24 contact hours
Renewal fee (RN)	$65
Compact state (NLC)	Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility
License types	RN, LPN, APRN
Typical pay	See Ohio nurse salaries

Ohio requires Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2-year renewal cycle, including at least 1 hour of Category A CE on the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and rules. One hour on recognition and handling of human trafficking or sexual assault victims may count toward the 24-hour total, but it is not separately required. APRNs face a significantly higher 48-hour requirement (24 RN + 24 advanced practice), with CNPs, CNSs, and CNMs needing at least 12 hours in advanced pharmacology. Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing nurses with a multistate license to practice across all compact states.

Verified against the Ohio Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-07-13. Found something off? Let me know.

Ohio CE Audit Response Guide

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

Read the full Ohio RN License Renewal Guide

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

How to Renew Your Ohio Nursing License

1Go to the Ohio eLicense Portal at elicense.ohio.gov and log in to your account
2Select your nursing license and choose 'Renewal'
3Complete the renewal application and update your personal information
4Affirm that all CE requirements have been completed
5Pay the renewal fee online ($65 for RN/LPN, $135 for APRN)
6Retain your CE documentation for at least 6 years. You must produce it within 60 days if audited

Visit the Ohio Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

Turn these steps into a checklist you can track.

RenewRN Pro turns Ohio's renewal steps into an interactive checklist you check off one by one, with your progress saved so nothing gets missed at the deadline.

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How to Submit Your CE in Ohio

You attest to your CE when you renew and keep your certificates; you only submit documents if the board audits you.

An Ohio RN completes 24 contact hours of CE per 2-year (odd-year) renewal, including at least 1 hour of Category A (Ohio Nurse Practice Act law and rules), and ATTESTS at renewal in Ohio eLicense; certificates are not sent with renewal. Board CE page: “Total CE Hours Required: 24 contact hours for each license held for renewal.” The nurse keeps proof six years and provides it only if audited by the Ohio Board of Nursing. (APRNs complete an additional 24 hours including 12 advanced-pharmacology, on top of the RN 24.)

Where it happens: Ohio eLicense (Ohio Board of Nursing)

elicense.ohio.gov

If Ohio audits your CE

The Ohio Board of Nursing may require proof and conduct random audits (OAC 4723-14-03); audited nurses provide documentation within the required timeframe; records kept six years.

Verified 2026-07-03 against nursing.ohio.gov. Always confirm with the board before relying on it.

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CE Hours by License Type

Ohio ranks #27 of 51 for RN renewal burden, in the middle in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	24 / 2 yrs	$65
LPN	24 / 2 yrs	$65
APRN	48 / 2 yrs	$135

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts Compare all states

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

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
General CE	24	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Total continuing education contact hours required for renewal
Ohio Nurse Practice Act & Rules (Category A)	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Minimum 1 hour on the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and administrative rules, from an OBN-approved provider headquartered in Ohio (included in total hours)
Human Trafficking / Sexual Assault Recognition	1	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour on recognition and handling of human trafficking victims or victims of sexual assault may qualify toward the CE total (optional, not mandatory)
APRN Advanced Practice CE	24	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs must complete an additional 24 hours of advanced-practice CE (48 total). CNPs, CNSs, and CNMs must include at least 12 hours in advanced pharmacology.
Nursing Practice	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Remaining hours in nursing-related topics relevant to your practice area, from ANCC-accredited or OBN-approved providers

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Ohio 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 Ohio CE. Verified, accredited and state-approved courses. No upsells. Browse free Ohio nursing CE courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: October 31 of the renewal year (odd years for RN/APRN, even years for LPN)
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 6 years in case of audit by the Ohio Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• RN/APRN licenses renew in odd-numbered years; LPN licenses renew in even-numbered years
• The renewal window opens July 1 and closes October 31 of the renewal year
• APRNs must complete 48 total CE hours: 24 hours for the RN license plus 24 hours for the APRN certificate
• CNPs, CNSs, and CNMs must include at least 12 of the 24 APRN hours in advanced pharmacology
• First-renewal nurses who obtained their license by examination are exempt from CE requirements
• Extra CE hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal period
• CE documentation must be retained for at least 6 years in case of audit
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Ohio Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCOhio Board of Nursing Approved

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Late Renewal Fees

RN: $50 late processing fee, in addition to the $65 renewal fee ($115 total to renew late), per OAC 4723-7-09
LPN: $50 late processing fee, in addition to the $65 renewal fee ($115 total to renew late), per OAC 4723-7-09

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $100
LPN: $100

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

Getting your first Ohio RN license

Background check: Fingerprint-based criminal background check required. Ohio law requires all applicants for RN licensure to submit fingerprints, which the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) and the FBI use to complete a criminal records check.
Application fee: $100 (initial license by examination)

Applies to new RN licensure by examination. Verified against the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Full guide: how to get your first Ohio RN license

CE Audit Information

Ohio Board of Nursing conducts random CE audits during renewal.

Frequently asked questions about Ohio nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in Ohio?: Registered Nurses (RN) in Ohio need 24 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.
What are the mandatory CE topics in Ohio?: Mandatory CE topics in Ohio include: Ohio Nurse Practice Act & Rules (Category A).
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Ohio?: Nursing licenses in Ohio must be renewed every 2 years. The Ohio Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in Ohio?: The RN renewal fee in Ohio is $65. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Ohio Board of Nursing portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Ohio?: Ohio nursing licenses are due october 31 of the renewal year (odd years for rn/aprn, even years for lpn).
Is Ohio part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: Yes. Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.
Does Ohio require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. Ohio does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does Ohio regulate?: Ohio regulates the following nursing license types: RN, LPN, APRN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in Ohio?: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Ohio need 24 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $65.
What does APRN renewal require in Ohio?: APRNs in Ohio complete 48 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $135. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.
What happens if you miss the license renewal deadline in Ohio?: The RN late-renewal fee is $50 late processing fee, in addition to the $65 renewal fee ($115 total to renew late), per OAC 4723-7-09. If your license has lapsed, do not practice until your renewal is processed; confirm your status with the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Sources & Board Resources

Ohio Board of Nursing

https://nursing.ohio.gov

Sources

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Type

CE hours

Renewal fee

24 / 2 yrs

$65

LPN

24 / 2 yrs

$65

APRN

48 / 2 yrs

$135

Ohio RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Ohio Nursing License

How to Submit Your CE in Ohio

If Ohio audits your CE

Get the Ohio RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Getting your first Ohio RN license

Frequently asked questions about Ohio nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other Nurse Licensure Compact states

Don't miss your Ohio renewal

More for Ohio nurses

Ohio RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Ohio Nursing License

How to Submit Your CE in Ohio

If Ohio audits your CE

Get the Ohio RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Getting your first Ohio RN license

Frequently asked questions about Ohio nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other Nurse Licensure Compact states

Don't miss your Ohio renewal

More for Ohio nurses