Texas Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 20 Hours Every 2 Years

Requirements Overview

Under Board Rule 216.3, Texas registered nurses are required to complete 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) during each 2-year licensing period. All CNE must be obtained from providers approved by a Board-recognized credentialing agency, such as ANCC, AACN, or NLN. CME (Continuing Medical Education) is not acceptable for RNs — only APRNs may use Category I CME.

As an alternative to completing 20 hours of CNE, nurses may demonstrate achievement, maintenance, or renewal of a Board-approved national nursing certification in their area of practice. However, certification cannot be used to satisfy the Nursing Jurisprudence and Nursing Ethics requirement. Excess hours cannot be carried over to the next licensing period.

Additional targeted CE requirements apply based on practice setting and population served. Nurses working in emergency rooms must complete forensic evidence collection training, and those caring for geriatric populations need 2 hours in older adult care each cycle. All nurses providing direct patient care must complete human trafficking prevention training every renewal period.

Mandatory Topics

Renewal Pathways

Exemptions

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  First Renewal Exemption — Nurses are exempt from most continuing competency requirements for the first renewal following initial licensure as long as the initial renewal is timely.

  The Forensic Evidence Collection targeted CE requirement still applies if the nurse's practice requires it.
• ✓
  Delinquent Renewal Exemption — If license has been delinquent for less than four years, the nurse is exempt from continuing competency requirements for the immediate licensing period following renewal of the delinquent license.

  Must show proof of 20 contact hours of CNE or current approved certification to renew. Forensic Evidence Collection requirement still applies if applicable.
• ✓
  License Reactivation Exemption — If license has been inactive for less than four years, the nurse is exempt from continuing competency requirements for the immediate licensing period following reactivation.

  Must show proof of 20 contact hours of CNE or current approved certification to reactivate. Forensic Evidence Collection requirement still applies if applicable.
• ✓
  Certification In Lieu Of CNE — A Board-approved national nursing certification in the nurse's area of practice may be used in lieu of completing 20 contact hours of CNE.

  Certification may NOT be used to fulfill the Nursing Jurisprudence and Nursing Ethics CNE requirement.

How You Can Complete Your CE

Texas CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to Texas that generic CE guides tend to miss:

• Carry-over — Additional hours earned may not be carried over to the next renewal period. Any contact hours earned in a previous licensing period will not be accepted.
• CME (Continuing Medical Education) is NOT acceptable for RNs. Only APRNs may use Category I CME (except for Nursing Jurisprudence and Nursing Ethics, which requires CNE even for APRNs).
• License renewal is based on the nurse's birth month. Licenses expire on the last day of the birth month, in odd-numbered years if born in an odd year, even-numbered years if born in an even year.
• Activities NOT acceptable as CE include: BLS, CPR, in-service programs, nursing refresher courses, orientation programs, self-improvement courses, economic courses, personal appearance courses, liberal arts courses unrelated to patient care, self-directed study, and audited courses.
• Nurses must maintain CE records for a minimum of three consecutive licensing periods or six years (Forensic Evidence Collection records must be kept indefinitely).
• Academic courses can be converted to CE credit: 1 academic quarter hour = 10 contact hours; 1 academic semester hour = 15 contact hours.
• A nurse may receive CNE credit for development and/or presentation of a Board-approved program, or for authorship of a published manuscript (1 distinct publication = 1 contact hour).
• Renewing your license without completing the continuing competency requirements is grounds for disciplinary action by the Board.

Provider Requirements

CNE must be approved by a Board-recognized credentialing agency or provider: AACN, AANA, AANP, ACNM, ANCC, Colleges and Universities in the USA, ENA, LVNAT, NAPNES, NALPN, NAPNAP, NLN, Other State Boards of Nursing, TLVN. Organizations accredited through these agencies (e.g., state nursing associations accredited by ANCC) are also acceptable.

Tips for Texas RNs

• Texas conducts random CE audits — keep your records for at least three consecutive licensing periods (6 years). Forensic evidence collection records must be maintained indefinitely.
• Your license renewal is tied to your birth month and expires on its last day. Set a reminder at least 3 months before to ensure you have enough time to complete all required hours.
• The 2-hour Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics requirement comes due every third licensing period (every 6 years). Track which cycle you're in, as this requirement cannot be met through national certification.
• Verify that your CE provider is approved by a Board-recognized agency before enrolling. In-service programs, BLS/CPR, orientation sessions, and self-improvement courses do not count toward your 20 hours.

Sources

RN Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in Texas

All Nursing CE Requirements by State

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