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
Wisconsin Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle
Verified against the Wisconsin Board of Nursing · Last reviewed · How RenewRN verifies its data
Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources
As of 2026, Wisconsin requires no continuing-education hours for RN renewal. The RN renewal fee is $73 every 2 years.
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| Renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Renewal deadline | February 28 of even years (RN); April 30 of odd years (LPN); September 30 of even years (APRN) |
| Total CE hours (RN) | No fixed CE-hour mandate |
| Renewal fee (RN) | $73 |
| Compact state (NLC) | Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility |
| License types | RN, APRN, LPN |
| Typical pay | See Wisconsin nurse salaries |
Wisconsin is one of the most nurse-friendly states for renewal: no continuing education hours are required for RN or LPN license renewal. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 16 hours including pharmacology and controlled substance prescribing. A mandatory Nursing Workforce Survey is part of the renewal process. Wisconsin has some of the lowest renewal fees ($73 for RN/LPN) and is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state.
Verified against the Wisconsin Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-06-22. Found something off? Let me know.
Wisconsin CE Audit Response Guide
Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.
Read the full Wisconsin RN License Renewal Guide
Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal
Visit the Wisconsin Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.
Turn these steps into a checklist you can track.
RenewRN Pro turns Wisconsin's renewal steps into an interactive checklist you check off one by one, with your progress saved so nothing gets missed at the deadline.
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.
Wisconsin does NOT require continuing education for RN renewal, so there is no CE to submit or attest. The nurse renews online through the DSPS LicensE system by the statutory renewal date (Feb 28 of even years) and pays the fee, answering disclosure questions. No CE certificates, no CE Broker, and no CE field are part of Wisconsin RN renewal.
Where it happens: Wisconsin DSPS LicensE online renewal
dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/RenewalNo CE audit for RN renewal (Wisconsin has no RN CE requirement).
Verified 2026-07-03 against dsps.wi.gov. Always confirm with the board before relying on it.
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| Type | CE hours | Renewal fee |
|---|---|---|
| RN | 0 / 2 yrs | $73 |
| APRN | 16 / 2 yrs | $73 |
| LPN | 0 / 2 yrs | $73 |
APRN renewal in Wisconsin. Renewal deadlines here differ by license type; see Important Deadlines below. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full Wisconsin APRN renewal guide
| Category | Hours | Required | Types | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No CE Required | 0 | Required | RNLPN | Wisconsin does not require continuing education hours for RN or LPN license renewal. |
| APRN Prescriptive Authority CE | 16 | Required | APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | 16 contact hours per 2-year cycle for APRNs with prescriptive authority, including 14 hours on clinical pharmacology/therapeutics and 2 hours on responsible prescribing of controlled substances |
| APRN Controlled Substance Prescribing | 2 | Required | APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | 2 hours on responsible prescribing of controlled substances (included in the 16-hour APRN total) |
| Nursing Workforce Survey | 0 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | Mandatory Wisconsin Nursing Workforce Survey must be completed as part of the renewal process (state law requirement) |
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin CE. Verified, accredited and state-approved courses. No upsells. Browse free Wisconsin nursing CE courses
Missed your Wisconsin renewal deadline?
Late renewal available up to 5 years with $25 late fee; practicing on an expired license is prohibited
What to do if your Wisconsin license lapsedApproved CE Providers
Reinstatement Fees
Already lapsed? The Wisconsin re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.
Applies to new RN licensure by examination. Verified against the Wisconsin Board of Nursing.
CE Audit Information
Wisconsin requires no continuing education for standard RN/LPN renewal, so there is no general CE audit or record-retention requirement (Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers are the exception, with a separate 4-year CE-record rule).
These Wisconsin renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:
RenewRN, “Wisconsin Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (June 2026), renewrn.net/states/wisconsin, verified against the Wisconsin Board of Nursing.
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