Ohio Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 24 Hours Every 2 Years
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Requirements Overview
Ohio requires registered nurses to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle. At least 1 of those hours must be a Category A course covering the Ohio Nurse Practice Act (Chapter 4723) and related rules. Category A courses have stricter provider requirements than general CE — they must be approved by OBN, an OBN approver such as the Ohio Nurses Association, or an approved provider unit headquartered in Ohio.
RN renewals in Ohio follow a statewide schedule, occurring only in odd-numbered years between July 1 and October 31. This is distinct from many states that use birth-month-based cycles. No carry-over of excess hours is permitted between renewal periods.
First-time renewals after passing the NCLEX in Ohio are exempt from CE requirements. Nurses licensed by endorsement who have held their Ohio license for one year or less need only 12 contact hours but must include 2 hours of Category A content. Academic nursing coursework may be converted to CE credit using established formulas.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Nurse Practice Act / Laws and Rules (Category A) | 1 | Every renewal | Must be approved by OBN, an OBN approver (such as Ohio Nurses Association), or offered by an approved provider unit headquartered in Ohio. Covers Chapter 4723 of the Ohio Nurse Practice Code and Rules. |
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- First Renewal After NCLEX — No CE required for the first renewal after taking the NCLEX in Ohio and obtaining the license.Only applies to initial licensure by examination in Ohio.
- Endorsement (Short Period) — If licensed by endorsement for one year or less, only 12 contact hours required instead of 24.Must include 2 contact hours of Category A (Chapter 4723).
How You Can Complete Your CE
Ohio CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Ohio that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — No carry-over permitted. Extra hours earned during a renewal period cannot be applied to a future renewal period.
- Ohio is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
- RN renewal occurs in odd-numbered years only (July 1 - October 31). LPN renewal is in even-numbered years.
- Human trafficking/sexual assault CE (1 hour) is optional but may count toward the 24-hour total.
- Category A hours have stricter provider requirements than general CE hours.
- For endorsement applicants, 2 contact hours of Category A (Chapter 4723) are required regardless of the total hour requirement.
- Academic nursing coursework can be converted to CE credit using established conversion formulas.
Provider Requirements
OBN-approved providers or OBN approvers (e.g., Ohio Nurses Association), other state nursing regulators, nationally recognized accreditation systems, academic nursing coursework, approved independent study/enduring activities, interprofessional continuing education. Category A hours must be from OBN, an OBN approver, or an approved provider unit headquartered in Ohio.
Tips for Ohio RNs
- Complete your 1-hour Category A (Ohio laws and rules) course from an OBN-approved provider early. These courses have stricter provider requirements than general CE, so verify approval before enrolling.
- Ohio RN renewals only happen in odd-numbered years (July-October). Mark the window well in advance — there is no rolling renewal based on birth month.
- Excess CE hours cannot carry over to the next cycle. Plan to complete exactly what you need within each 2-year period to avoid wasted effort.
- If you hold a specialty certification, it may count for up to 24 hours of CE credit. Check OBN's accepted certification list before relying on this alternative.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Ohio Board of Nursing
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
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Other Professions in Ohio
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