Yes, all individuals renewing a nursing license must meet or exceed 400 hours of nursing practice in the preceding four (4) years.  Hours practiced in another regulated profession cannot be used for nursing practice hours.

• Nurses who have completed a refresher course within the preceding year or graduated from a nursing undergraduate or nursing graduate program in the last four (4) years with less than 400 hours of nursing practice will be able to renew their license without meeting this requirement.

Yes, all individuals renewing a nursing license must complete 12 contact hours of CE obtained within the preceding two (2) years.

• An applicant that obtained initial licensure through examination will not need to complete additional contact hours of approved CE before first renewal of  a nursing license.  The requirements have been met through the academic coursework.
• An applicant for reactivation of a license can use refresher course contact hours for the first renewal cycle after reactivation of a license.
• An APRN with Prescriptive Authority must complete 15 contact hours of education during the previous two (2) years in pharmacotherapy related to the scope of practice.  The pharmacotherapy CE must be itemized on the certificate of completion.  These contact hours fulfill the registered nurse renewal CE requirement.

LPNs and RNs are not required to obtain CE in specific areas. APRNs with prescriptive authority will need to obtain 15 hours of CE in pharmacology.

The CE is to be completed within the 2 years prior to the expiration date on the license.

No. Contact hours do not carry over from one license renewal period to another.  You must complete at least 12 contact hours of approved CE in each two (2) year license renewal period to renew a license to practice nursing in North Dakota.

No, the Board does not issue extensions – the CE requirement must be met before renewal.  Failure to meet the CE requirement may result in disciplinary action and penalty fees.

The North Dakota Board of Nursing will accept, at face value, the number of hours awarded for an educational activity that has been approved for CE, provided it was approved by one of the following:

• The North Dakota Board of Nursing
• A health care regulatory board or professional organization of any state that is nationally/internationally accredited to approve CE.
• Accredited college or university credit may be used to meet the CE requirement.

Contact hours obtained for renewal of license or certification in another regulated profession cannot be used for maintaining nursing licensure.

No.  You willl ONLY need to provide proof of CE if you receive a notice of continuing education audit.  You are required to submit your CE documents through NDBON’s CE vendor, CE Broker, if you are audited.

You are responsible for maintaing and tracking your CE.  You must keep your CE documents for at least four (4) years.  The Board may audit your CE records for up to four (4) years.

Each time you renew your license you verify by attesting to the statement on the renewal form that you have completed the 12 contact hours.  It is important that you have completed the CE when you attest to this.

License by Exam: If you recently received your first license in North Dakota and took an examination to receive it, and this is your first renewal of that nursing license, you are NOT REQUIRED to have completed CE courses.  You have met the requirement through your academic coursework and MUST verify by attesting to the statement on the renewal form.

License by Endorsement: If you recently received your first license in North Dakota and have moved from another state, you are considered to have received your license or certificate by “ENDORSEMENT”. Even though this may be your first renewal you MUST verify by attesting to the statement on the renewal form that you have completed the required 12 contact hours. Credit received for successful completion of a course taken through an accredited college or university may be used to meet the CE requirement.

Whether you are working or not has no bearing on your CE requirement.  The CE requirement is directly related to renewal of your license in ND.

If you do not plan on renewing your license, your license will become inactive. No further action is needed on your behalf, as your license will automatically inactivate following your license expiration date. You may not work as a nurse if your license is inactive.

There is an additional fee to reactivate a license from an inactive status.