Direct answer
Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements.
Colorado factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Colorado Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Colorado DPO License Lookup |
| Renewal cycle | Credential-specific renewal schedule |
| Renewal deadline | RN licenses generally expire September 30 according to the applicable odd/even renewal cycle; the online renewal window typically opens several weeks before expiration. |
| Continuing competence | Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements. |
| Fees | Colorado changes fees through the Division’s fee-setting process; confirm the amount shown in the current online transaction. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APN/RXN |
| Phone | 303-894-7800 |
| Physical location | 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 |
For Colorado, 4 primary official source records and 8 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide. Source verification dates are shown separately from editorial release dates.
Continuing education or continuing competence rule
Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements.
Mandatory topics, pathways and conditions
- No generic RN/LPN CE-hour total for renewal.
- Maintain national certification where required for advanced practice.
- Review current Board notices before each renewal.
Credential-specific checks
Colorado routing note: The Colorado Board of Nursing regulates practical nurses, registered nurses and advanced practice nurses through the Division of Professions and Occupations. Public lookup and online licensing account services are distinct.
For Colorado, lPN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Colorado, rN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
APN/RXN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
Colorado LPN: verify that the Colorado Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Colorado credentials.
Colorado RN: verify that the Colorado Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Colorado credentials.
Colorado APN/RXN: verify that the Colorado Board of Nursing record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Colorado credentials.
Keep evidence for an audit
Keep professional certification and any credential-specific documentation required for the license held.
- Keep certificates and provider details for the published retention period.
- Confirm course completion falls inside the correct renewal period.
- Do not assume RN and APRN requirements are identical.
- Check whether the provider reports electronically or whether you must upload documentation.
Common CE problems
CE or competence is not accepted
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact Colorado rule: Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Wrong credential rule
Return to the official source and match RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, certificate or assistant requirements before purchasing additional coursework.
Course not accepted
Confirm provider approval, topic, completion date and documentation against the authority instructions. A generic completion certificate does not prove acceptance.
Fraud and privacy safety
- Begin every Colorado transaction from a reviewed authority domain (dpo.colorado.gov) or a source-reviewed link on this guide.
- Do not give a caller payment-card details, a password or a one-time code merely because the caller claims to represent Colorado Board of Nursing.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through 303-894-7800 or the secure Colorado account.
- For Colorado, use NCSBN License Verification Guidance to confirm current status rather than a private lookup page or emailed screenshot.
- Upload identity, background, education or legal documents only through a secure method explicitly named by Colorado Board of Nursing.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Colorado instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For Colorado, report a suspected licensing impersonation or phishing attempt to the authority and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement channel.
Frequently asked questions
How much continuing education is required in Colorado?
Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements.
Are there mandatory topics?
No generic RN/LPN CE-hour total for renewal. Maintain national certification where required for advanced practice. Review current Board notices before each renewal.
Should I keep completion records?
Keep professional certification and any credential-specific documentation required for the license held.
Can CE rules differ by credential?
Yes. RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, assistant and certificate-specific rules can differ.
What if CE does not appear in my account?
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact Colorado rule: Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Can I use any online course?
No. Confirm accepted providers, course categories, mandatory topics and completion dates before purchasing a course.
Is CE always required for every renewal?
Not necessarily. Some jurisdictions use practice hours, competency pathways, exemptions or credential-specific requirements. Use the exact official rule.
Where do I verify CE information?
Use the official continuing education or competence source listed in the official-resource directory.
Source-reviewed official resources
Verify a Colorado License ↗
Colorado DORA public service for checking a professional or occupational license and healthcare provider profile.
Colorado DORA official license-check service · July 28, 2026Nursing Applications and Renewals ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Colorado Nursing FAQ ↗
Official primary-source nursing licensing information.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Colorado Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Colorado Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Colorado status recorded as Compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Colorado Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Colorado license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Colorado source remains Colorado DPO License Lookup.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Colorado DPO License Lookup for Colorado; follow Colorado Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
Colorado Board of Nursing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Nursing Applications and Renewals ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Colorado Nursing FAQ ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Colorado Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Verify a Colorado License ↗
Reviewed July 28, 2026