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
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education · 2-year renewal cycle
Verified against the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education · Last reviewed · How RenewRN verifies its data
Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources
As of 2026, Rhode Island RNs must complete 10 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $135.
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| Renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Renewal deadline | March 1, every 2 years |
| Total CE hours (RN) | 10 contact hours |
| Renewal fee (RN) | $135 |
| Compact state (NLC) | Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility |
| License types | RN, APRN, LPN |
| Typical pay | See Rhode Island nurse salaries |
Rhode Island requires all nurses to complete 10 contact hours of continuing education every 2-year renewal cycle, with 2 of those hours focused on substance abuse. Licenses expire on March 1, and renewal notices are sent 60 days prior. Rhode Island rejoined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) effective January 1, 2024, allowing eligible nurses to hold a multistate license for practice across all compact states. A hardship extension of up to 6 months may be available in certain circumstances.
Verified against the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education, last checked 2026-06-05. Found something off? Let me know.
Rhode Island CE Audit Response Guide
Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.
Read the full Rhode Island RN License Renewal Guide
Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal
Visit the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education website for the official renewal portal.
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A Rhode Island RN completes 10 continuing-education hours in the preceding two years and SIGNS AN ATTESTATION at renewal; certificates are not submitted at renewal. Per 216-RICR-40-05-3.5: “(A) Every person seeking renewal of a license... shall provide satisfactory evidence to the Department that in the preceding two years the practitioner... has completed the ten (10) required continuing education hours,” and “(C) At the time of license renewal, each licensee will be required to sign a statement attesting to the completion of the above continuing education requirements.” The nurse retains documentation for no less than four years and produces it only on request; “(E) Failure to produce satisfactory documentation... upon request by the Board, constitutes grounds for disciplinary action.”
Where it happens: Rhode Island Department of Health online licensing
health.ri.gov/licensing/nursesPer 216-RICR-40-05-3.5(D)-(E), the nurse retains documentation no less than four years and produces it on the Board's request; failure is grounds for discipline.
Verified 2026-07-03 against law.cornell.edu. Always confirm with the board before relying on it.
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| Type | CE hours | Renewal fee |
|---|---|---|
| RN | 10 / 2 yrs | $135 |
| APRN | 10 / 2 yrs | $145 |
| LPN | 10 / 2 yrs | $45 |
APRN renewal in Rhode Island. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full Rhode Island APRN renewal guide
| Category | Hours | Required | Types | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General CE | 10 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | 10 contact hours of continuing education every 2-year licensing cycle |
| Substance Abuse CE | 2 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | 2 of the 10 required hours must be on the topic of substance abuse (included in total) |
| Alzheimer's Disease (One-Time) | 1 | Conditional | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | One-time, once-per-career 1 contact hour CEU on Alzheimer's disease, effective August 1, 2019. Not repeated with each renewal. Retain documentation for four years. |
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island CE. Verified, accredited and state-approved courses. No upsells. Browse free Rhode Island nursing CE courses
Missed your Rhode Island renewal deadline?
A six-month extension may be granted by the Board for documented hardship; otherwise, failure to renew by March 1 results in an inactive license
What to do if your Rhode Island license lapsedApproved CE Providers
Applies to new RN licensure by examination. Verified against the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education.
CE Audit Information
The Rhode Island Department of Health randomly audits CE documentation (10 hours per 2-year cycle).
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education
https://health.ri.gov/licensing/nursesThese Rhode Island renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:
RenewRN, “Rhode Island Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (June 2026), renewrn.net/states/rhode-island, verified against the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education.
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