Nurse Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education

 
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What you need to know


​You may renew your license online when renewals are open for your license type at: https://nebraska.mylicense.com/. Additional renewal information can be found in the regulations for each license type. Also, please check the FAQ page on our website; many continuing education questions are answered there.

To renew a license, all nurses must complete the online renewal process or submit the paper renewal application, attest to having met the requirements of continued competency, and pay the renewal fee.


APRN: 

APRN licenses expire on October 31st of each even-numbered year.

To renew an APRN license, you must submit a renewal application, attest to having met the requirements as described below and pay the renewal fee.

All APRNs must have a current Nebraska RN license or multi-state RN compact state license in their primary state of residence​.

APRN-CNS:

APRN-CRNA:

  • Current national certification (NBCRNA)

APRN-CNM:

APRN-NP:

LPN/RN:

  • RN licenses expire on October 31st of each even-numbered year.
  • LPN licenses expire on October 31st of each odd-numbered year.

In order to renew, all LPN/RN nurses must meet one of the continued competency requirements or waivers listed below:

  • Have practiced nursing for at least 500 hours during the past five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of continuing education from an approved provider within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses.
  • Have graduated from a nursing program in more than two, but less than five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of nursing continuing education within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses; OR
  • Have graduated from a nursing program within the last two years.
  • Have completed an approved refresher course within the last five years.
  • Have obtained/maintained current certification in a nursing specialty granted by a nationally recognized certifying organization; OR
  • Have developed and maintained a portfolio that includes the licensee's current continuing competency goals and evidence/verification of professional activities to meet those goals.


Q. How many contact hours can I claim for current CPR or BLS certification? 

​A. No more than 4 hours

Q. How many contact hours can I claim for current ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, etc.?​

A. Certifications that build on the foundations of basic life support may be claimed for renewal contact hours. Initial certifications may require more than four hours to complete. The nurse may claim the number of hours stated on a card or certificate of completion. In the absence of the number of hours listed on a card or certificate, current certification may be claimed as four contact hours for renewal. 

Q. I'm advancing my nursing degree; can I apply those hours towards contact hour requirements for renewal?

A. Yes, one semester hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours. A three-credit hour course is equivalent to 45 contact hours. One academic quarter hour is equivalent to 10 contact hours. ​

Waiver: Received RN or LPN license within the past 24 months. NOTE: Continuing education is not required.

Waiver: Practiced nursing for at least 500 hours during the past five years and requesting a waiver of the continuing education/in-service requirement due to:

  • Military assignment in a location where continuing education/in-service is not available
  • Living outside of the USA and continuing education is not available
  • Serving as a missionary in a foreign country

Waiver: Within the past 24 months, served full-time duty in the active military service of the United States, a National Guard call to active service for more than 30 consecutive days, or active service as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Military service may also include any period during which a service member is absent from duty on account of sickness, wounds, leave, or other lawful cause. If you meet this waiver, you are not required to pay the renewal fee or meet the continuing education requirements. You must submit copies of your active service papers.