Pennsylvania Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
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Requirements Overview
Pennsylvania requires registered nurses to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period. The only recurring mandatory topic is 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting under Act 31 of 2014, which counts toward the 30-hour total. For initial licensure, 3 hours of child abuse training from a DHS-approved provider is required instead.
Beginning May 1, 2026, a new one-time requirement adds 2 hours of organ and tissue donation and recovery process education. Nurses have 5 years to complete this requirement. Hours cannot be carried over from one renewal period to the next.
A key distinction in Pennsylvania is that ANCC accreditation is not required for CE providers. The Board maintains its own approval process, and CE must be administered by Board-approved providers including accredited hospitals and healthcare facilities. Hardship waivers are available for serious illness, military service, or other demonstrated hardship, but requests must be submitted at least 90 days before license expiration.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting | 2 | Every renewal | Required under Act 31 of 2014. Part of the 30-hour total. Must be Board-approved. For initial licensure, 3 hours required from DHS-approved provider. |
| Organ and Tissue Donation and Recovery Process | 2 | One-time | One-time requirement beginning May 1, 2026. Must be completed within 5 years. New requirement. |
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- Hardship Waiver — A registered nurse may request a waiver due to serious illness, military service, or other demonstrated hardship.Must submit request and supporting documentation at least 90 days prior to license expiration unless emergency occurs within 90-day period.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Pennsylvania CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Pennsylvania that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — Continuing education hours may not be carried over from one biennial renewal period to the next.
- Pennsylvania is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
- The Board may perform audits on registered nurses to determine compliance with CE requirements.
- Hardship waivers are available for serious illness, military service, or other demonstrated hardship (must request at least 90 days before expiration).
- ANCC accreditation is not required for Pennsylvania CE providers - Board approval is the standard.
- Beginning May 1, 2026, a new one-time requirement for 2 hours of organ and tissue donation education must be completed within 5 years.
- For initial licensure, 3 hours of child abuse training from DHS-approved provider is required (vs. 2 hours for renewal).
Provider Requirements
CE must be administered by a Board-approved provider including accredited hospitals and health care facilities. ANCC accreditation is not required for PA license renewal. The Board maintains its own approval process.
Tips for Pennsylvania RNs
- Pennsylvania does not require ANCC-accredited providers — but courses must still be Board-approved. Verify provider status through the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing before enrolling.
- Plan for the new organ and tissue donation requirement starting May 2026. Though you have 5 years, completing it early avoids last-minute complications.
- The 2-hour child abuse training (Act 31) is required every renewal cycle. Schedule it early since it's the only recurring mandatory topic.
- If you face hardship (illness, military service, disaster), request a waiver at least 90 days before your license expires. Emergency exceptions are available for events within the 90-day window.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
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