Direct answer
Requirements vary by credential and include mandated topic training.
Pennsylvania factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial |
| Renewal deadline | Renew by the expiration date on the license; failure to receive a notice does not remove the licensee’s responsibility. |
| Continuing competence | Requirements vary by credential and include mandated topic training. |
| Fees | Confirm the current credential-specific fee in PALS before payment. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, CRNP, CNS, Dietitian-Nutritionist |
| Phone | 1-833-367-2762 |
| Physical location | P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 |
For Pennsylvania, 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
Requirements vary by credential and include mandated topic training.
Mandatory topics, pathways and conditions
- Mandated child abuse reporter training.
- Organ and tissue donation and recovery education where applicable.
- Opioid education and CRNP prescriptive-authority requirements where applicable.
Credential-specific checks
Pennsylvania routing note: Pennsylvania applications, renewals and many account requests use the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Public license verification is available through PALS, and RN/LPN state-to-state verification is handled through Nursys when applicable.
For Pennsylvania, lPN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Pennsylvania, rN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
CRNP: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
CNS: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
Dietitian-Nutritionist: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
Pennsylvania LPN: verify that the Pennsylvania State 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 Pennsylvania credentials.
Pennsylvania RN: verify that the Pennsylvania State 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 Pennsylvania credentials.
Pennsylvania CRNP: verify that the Pennsylvania State 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 Pennsylvania credentials.
Pennsylvania CNS: verify that the Pennsylvania State 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 Pennsylvania credentials.
Pennsylvania Dietitian-Nutritionist: verify that the Pennsylvania State 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 Pennsylvania credentials.
Keep evidence for an audit
Keep certificates and confirm that required courses are from accepted providers.
- 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 Pennsylvania rule: Requirements vary by credential and include mandated topic training. 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 Pennsylvania transaction from a reviewed authority domain (www.pa.gov, www.pals.pa.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 Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through 1-833-367-2762 or the secure Pennsylvania account.
- Use Board Resources and Documents 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Pennsylvania instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania?
Requirements vary by credential and include mandated topic training.
Are there mandatory topics?
Mandated child abuse reporter training. Organ and tissue donation and recovery education where applicable. Opioid education and CRNP prescriptive-authority requirements where applicable.
Should I keep completion records?
Keep certificates and confirm that required courses are from accepted providers.
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 Pennsylvania rule: Requirements vary by credential and include mandated topic training. 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 Pennsylvania Professional License ↗
Pennsylvania public service directing users to PALS for license status and disciplinary history.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania official verification service · July 28, 2026Renewal information ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026PALS ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Board resources ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Pennsylvania State 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Pennsylvania license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Pennsylvania source remains Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) for Pennsylvania; follow Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Renewal information ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Board resources ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
PALS ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Verify a Pennsylvania Professional License ↗
Reviewed July 28, 2026