Opioid & Controlled Substance CE for Nurses

Many states require nurses with prescriptive authority (primarily APRNs) to complete continuing education focused on safe controlled-substance prescribing. Coverage typically includes opioid pharmacology, prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) use, naloxone administration, screening for substance use disorder, and federal MATE Act compliance for DEA registrants.

States that require it (18)

• California

  · 3 hrs

  NP Schedule II Controlled Substances

• Florida

  · 3 hrs

  APRN Safe Prescribing of Controlled Substances

• Indiana

  · 2 hrs

  APRN Opioid Prescribing

• Iowa

  · 2 hrs

  ARNP Opioid Prescribing

• Louisiana

  · 3 hrs

  APRN Controlled Substances

• Maine

  · 3 hrs

  APRN Opioid Prescribing

• Minnesota

  · 2 hrs

  APRN Opioid Prescribing

• Mississippi

  · 5 hrs

  APRN Controlled Substances

• Nevada

  · 2 hrs

  Controlled Substances / Opioid CE (APRN prescribers)

• New Jersey

  · 1 hr

  Prescription Opioid Drugs

• North Carolina

  · 1 hr

  Controlled Substance Prescribing

• Oklahoma

  · 2 hrs

  APRN Pain Management / Opioid CE

• Pennsylvania

  · 2 hrs

  CRNP Pain Management & Opioid Prescribing

• Tennessee

  · 2 hrs

  APRN Controlled Substances

• Utah

  · 4 hrs

  Controlled Substance Prescribing (APRN with Prescriptive Authority)

• Vermont

  · 2 hrs

  Controlled Substances CE

• Wisconsin

  · 2 hrs

  APRN Controlled Substance Prescribing

• Wyoming

  · 3 hrs

  Controlled Substances Prescribing (APRN)

Why states require it

The U.S. drug overdose epidemic has driven both federal action (the MATE Act, 2023) and state-level CE requirements. State boards mandate this CE to ensure that everyone with prescriptive authority is current on best practices for safe prescribing, alternatives to opioids, and harm reduction.

What approved courses cover

• Pharmacology of opioids and other controlled substances
• Risk assessment, screening tools (Opioid Risk Tool, SBIRT)
• PDMP use and documentation
• Naloxone administration and overdose reversal
• Federal regulations and the MATE Act 8-hour requirement
• Multimodal pain management alternatives

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Courses we've verified

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• Opioid Crisis: Feeling the Pain

  CEUfast · 1.5 hr · $39/yr unlimited access

• Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances

  NetCE · 3 hr · Included with $85/yr All Access

• Palliative Care and Pain Management at the End of Life

  NetCE · 2 hr · Included with $85/yr All Access

• Advanced Pharmacology

  NetCE · 30 hr · Included with $85/yr All Access — NetCE has a full Advanced Practice catalog

Related guides

• Opioid CE Requirements for Nurses: State-by-State Guide 2026
• APRN vs RN License Requirements: How Advanced Practice Changes Everything