Direct answer
RN/LPN: 12 contact hours every two years; APRN prescriptive authority: 15 pharmacotherapy hours.
North Dakota factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | North Dakota Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | North Dakota official license verification |
| Renewal cycle | Two years |
| Renewal deadline | Renew before the expiration shown in the Board record. |
| Continuing competence | RN/LPN: 12 contact hours every two years; APRN prescriptive authority: 15 pharmacotherapy hours. |
| Fees | LPN $130; RN $140; APRN $220; APRN with prescriptive authority $295. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | RN, LPN, APRN, UAP |
| Phone | (701) 751-3000 |
| Physical location | 919 S. 7th Street, Suite 504, Bismarck, ND 58504 |
For North Dakota, 4 primary official source records and 7 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide. Source verification dates are shown separately from editorial release dates.
Continuing education or continuing competence rule
RN/LPN: 12 contact hours every two years; APRN prescriptive authority: 15 pharmacotherapy hours.
Mandatory topics, pathways and conditions
- Use the credential-specific official instructions.
- Complete any mandatory topic or practice pathway.
- Retain supporting evidence for audit.
Credential-specific checks
North Dakota routing note: North Dakota Board of Nursing is the responsible licensing authority. Retain CE records for two renewal cycles.
For North Dakota, rN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For North Dakota, lPN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For North Dakota, aPRN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
UAP: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
North Dakota RN: verify that the North Dakota 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 North Dakota credentials.
North Dakota LPN: verify that the North Dakota 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 North Dakota credentials.
North Dakota APRN: verify that the North Dakota 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 North Dakota credentials.
North Dakota UAP: verify that the North Dakota 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 North Dakota credentials.
Keep evidence for an audit
Maintain documentation required by the licensing authority.
- 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 North Dakota rule: RN/LPN: 12 contact hours every two years; APRN prescriptive authority: 15 pharmacotherapy hours. 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 North Dakota transaction from a reviewed authority domain (www.ndbon.org) 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 North Dakota Board of Nursing.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through (701) 751-3000 or the secure North Dakota account.
- Use North Dakota License Verification 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 North Dakota Board of Nursing.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current North Dakota instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For North Dakota, 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 North Dakota?
RN/LPN: 12 contact hours every two years; APRN prescriptive authority: 15 pharmacotherapy hours.
Are there mandatory topics?
Use the credential-specific official instructions. Complete any mandatory topic or practice pathway. Retain supporting evidence for audit.
Should I keep completion records?
Maintain documentation required by the licensing authority.
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 North Dakota rule: RN/LPN: 12 contact hours every two years; APRN prescriptive authority: 15 pharmacotherapy hours. 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
North Dakota license verification ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026North Dakota licensing or renewal portal ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026North Dakota 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 North Dakota status recorded as Compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through North Dakota Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a North Dakota license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local North Dakota source remains North Dakota official license verification.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside North Dakota official license verification for North Dakota; follow North Dakota Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
North Dakota Board of Nursing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
North Dakota license verification ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
North Dakota licensing or renewal portal ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026