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CE Requirements

New Jersey Registered Nurse Continuing Education Requirements

See required hours, mandatory topics and exceptions for your renewal.

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Showing findings with official source evidence. Check the conditions for each requirement and confirm your circumstances with the board.

Use the boxes to track your preparation. Checking an item does not verify compliance.

Continuing education

  • 30 contact hours during the two-year period preceding renewal.

    Applies when: Applies to Registered Nurses in New Jersey.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Registered Nurses (including Forensic Nurses-CSA) and Licensed Practical Nurses are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing professional education every two years.
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Each licensee must complete a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education contact hours during the two-year period preceding renewal
    3. 3. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      ** Yes. You must complete a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education contact hours during the two-year period preceding renewal

  • Courses must be offered by an approved provider.

    Applies when: For RN CE used for New Jersey renewal.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      These courses must be offered by an approved provider.

  • Employer courses may count if they carry a credit-hour designation and the employer provides a certificate of successful completion.

    Applies when: For RN CE credit through an employer.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      The Board will accept courses completed through your employer provided that the courses carry a credit-hour designation, i.e., one contact hour for each 60 minutes of instruction, and the employer provides you with a certificate of successful completion.

  • A licensee may carry over up to 15 additional continuing education contact hours into the next renewal period.

    Applies when: For New Jersey nursing renewal CE.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      A licensee may carry over up to 15 additional continuing education contact hours into the next renewal period

  • 30 contact hours are required.

    Applies when: For RN renewal CE.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Registered Nurses (including Forensic Nurses-CSA) and Licensed Practical Nurses are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing professional education every two years.
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Each licensee must complete a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education contact hours during the two-year period preceding renewal
    3. 3. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      **Hours** **1 contact hour = 50 minutes** **1 C.M.E.

  • Employer courses may count if they carry a credit-hour designation and the employer provides a certificate of successful completion.

    Applies when: For RN CE through an employer.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      The Board will accept courses completed through your employer provided that the courses carry a credit-hour designation, i.e., one contact hour for each 60 minutes of instruction, and the employer provides you with a certificate of successful completion.

  • Inactive status licensees are exempt from the CE requirement, but compliance is necessary to change from inactive to active status.

    Applies when: If the RN license is inactive.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Inactive status licensees are exempt from the CE requirement, however, compliance with the CE requirements will be necessary in order to make a change from inactive to active status

  • Up to 15 additional CE contact hours may carry over into the next renewal period.

    Applies when: For excess RN CE completed during the renewal period.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      A licensee may carry over up to 15 additional continuing education contact hours into the next renewal period

  • The Board recommends retaining CE certificates for at least five years, and proof of course completion should be retained for audit purposes.

    Applies when: For RN CE documentation.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      The Board recommends that you retain continuing education certificates for at least five years
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Retain proof of course completion in the event that the Board requests it for audit purposes

  • 30 contact hours are required.

    Applies when: For RN license renewal.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Registered Nurses (including Forensic Nurses-CSA) and Licensed Practical Nurses are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing professional education every two years.
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Each licensee must complete a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education contact hours during the two-year period preceding renewal

  • Employer courses may count if they carry a credit-hour designation and the employer provides a completion certificate.

    Applies when: For RN CE credit through an employer.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      The Board will accept courses completed through your employer provided that the courses carry a credit-hour designation, i.e., one contact hour for each 60 minutes of instruction, and the employer provides you with a certificate of successful completion.

  • Inactive status licensees are exempt from the CE requirement.

    Applies when: For nurses in inactive status.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Inactive status licensees are exempt from the CE requirement

  • Up to 15 additional contact hours may carry over into the next renewal period.

    Applies when: For RN renewal CE carryover.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      A licensee may carry over up to 15 additional continuing education contact hours into the next renewal period

  • The Board recommends retaining continuing education certificates for at least five years, and asks licensees to retain proof of completion for audit purposes.

    Applies when: For RN CE documentation.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      The Board recommends that you retain continuing education certificates for at least five years
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Retain proof of course completion in the event that the Board requests it for audit purposes

Records and audits

  • The Board recommends that you retain continuing education certificates for at least five years.

    Applies when: Applies to New Jersey nursing CE certificates.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      The Board recommends that you retain continuing education certificates for at least five years

  • Retain proof of course completion in the event that the Board requests it for audit purposes.

    Applies when: For New Jersey nursing CE renewal records.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Retain proof of course completion in the event that the Board requests it for audit purposes

  • The Board recommends retaining CE certificates for at least five years.

    Applies when: For RN CE documentation.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      The Board recommends that you retain continuing education certificates for at least five years

  • Retain proof of course completion if the Board requests it for audit purposes.

    Applies when: For RN CE records.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Retain proof of course completion in the event that the Board requests it for audit purposes

  • The Board recommends retaining continuing education certificates for at least five years.

    Applies when: For RN CE documentation kept for possible audit.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      ** The Board recommends that you retain continuing education certificates for at least five years

  • Keep proof of course completion if the Board requests it for audit purposes.

    Applies when: For RN CE records.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Retain proof of course completion in the event that the Board requests it for audit purposes

Late, expired or inactive licenses

  • Inactive status licensees are exempt from the CE requirement, but compliance is necessary to change from inactive to active status.

    Applies when: If the RN license is inactive.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Inactive status licensees are exempt from the CE requirement, however, compliance with the CE requirements will be necessary in order to make a change from inactive to active status

  • Paper applications will no longer be accepted.

    Applies when: For nursing reinstatement applications listed by the Board.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Paper applications will no longer be accepted.

  • Inactive status licensees are exempt from CE, but compliance is necessary to change from inactive to active status.

    Applies when: If the RN license is inactive.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Inactive status licensees are exempt from the CE requirement, however, compliance with the CE requirements will be necessary in order to make a change from inactive to active status

Board and official links

  • New Jersey Board of Nursing.

    Applies when: The board overseeing RN licensing and nursing regulation in New Jersey.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # New Jersey Board of Nursing
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      This board licenses registered nurses and practical nurses, and regulates the nursing profession in New Jersey.

  • New Jersey Board of Nursing Frequently Asked Questions - Continuing Education (CE).

    Applies when: For official CE instructions.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # New Jersey Board of Nursing ### Frequently Asked Questions - Continuing Education (CE)
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # New Jersey Board of Nursing ### Frequently Asked Questions - Continuing Education (CE) #### General Questions 2.

  • New Jersey Board of Nursing.

    Applies when: For RN licensing and renewal matters.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # New Jersey Board of Nursing
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # New Jersey Board of Nursing #### Inquiries about the Board may be forwarded to The New Jersey Board of Nursing was established in 1912 to protect the health, safety and welfare of New Jersey's residents by ensuring that those who practice nursing are qualified and competent to do so.

  • The Board's official continuing education FAQ is the New Jersey Board of Nursing Frequently Asked Questions - Continuing Education (CE).

    Applies when: For official CE instructions.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # New Jersey Board of Nursing ### Frequently Asked Questions - Continuing Education (CE)

  • The Board's license renewals page is the official RN renewal page.

    Applies when: For RN renewal instructions.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # License Renewals ### New Jersey Board of Nursing Continuing Education (CE): Under N.J.A.C.13:37-7.8 and N.J.A.C.
    2. 2. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      Continuing Education (CE): Under N.J.A.C.13:37-7.8 and N.J.A.C.

  • New Jersey Board of Nursing

    Applies when: For RN licensing and renewal matters.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # New Jersey Board of Nursing

  • The board licenses registered nurses and practical nurses, and regulates the nursing profession in New Jersey.

    Applies when: For RN oversight.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      This board licenses registered nurses and practical nurses, and regulates the nursing profession in New Jersey.

  • New Jersey Board of Nursing Frequently Asked Questions - Continuing Education (CE)

    Applies when: For official CE instructions.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. njconsumeraffairs.gov ↗
      # New Jersey Board of Nursing ### Frequently Asked Questions - Continuing Education (CE)
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