Direct answer
20 contact hours in the area of practice during the licensing period, or an approved national certification, with applicable targeted requirements.
Texas factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Texas Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Texas License Verification |
| Renewal cycle | Typically every two years |
| Renewal deadline | The license normally expires on the last day of the nurse’s birth month in the applicable renewal year. |
| Continuing competence | 20 contact hours in the area of practice during the licensing period, or an approved national certification, with applicable targeted requirements. |
| Fees | Timely RN renewal: $68; timely LVN renewal: $45. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LVN, RN, APRN |
| Phone | (512) 305-7400 |
| Physical location | 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200, Austin, TX 78701 |
For Texas, 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
20 contact hours in the area of practice during the licensing period, or an approved national certification, with applicable targeted requirements.
Mandatory topics, pathways and conditions
- Nursing jurisprudence and ethics at the interval set by Board rule.
- Practice-specific requirements may include forensic evidence collection or older adult care.
- APRNs with prescriptive authority have additional pharmacotherapeutics requirements.
Credential-specific checks
Texas routing note: The Texas Board of Nursing regulates vocational nurses, registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses. Public license verification and authenticated Nurse Portal services are separate systems.
LVN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Texas, rN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Texas, aPRN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
Texas LVN: verify that the Texas 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 Texas credentials.
Texas RN: verify that the Texas 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 Texas credentials.
Texas APRN: verify that the Texas 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 Texas credentials.
Keep evidence for an audit
Maintain completion records and be prepared to respond to a Board audit.
- 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 Texas rule: 20 contact hours in the area of practice during the licensing period, or an approved national certification, with applicable targeted 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 Texas transaction from a reviewed authority domain (bon.texas.gov, www.bon.texas.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 Texas Board of Nursing.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through (512) 305-7400 or the secure Texas account.
- For Texas, 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 Texas Board of Nursing.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Texas instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For Texas, 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 Texas?
20 contact hours in the area of practice during the licensing period, or an approved national certification, with applicable targeted requirements.
Are there mandatory topics?
Nursing jurisprudence and ethics at the interval set by Board rule. Practice-specific requirements may include forensic evidence collection or older adult care. APRNs with prescriptive authority have additional pharmacotherapeutics requirements.
Should I keep completion records?
Maintain completion records and be prepared to respond to a Board audit.
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 Texas rule: 20 contact hours in the area of practice during the licensing period, or an approved national certification, with applicable targeted 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
Texas License Verification ↗
Official Texas Board of Nursing license verification page.
Current primary official source · July 28, 2026Licensure renewal ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Continuing competency ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Fee schedule ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Texas license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Texas source remains Texas License Verification.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Texas License Verification for Texas; follow Texas Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
Texas Board of Nursing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Continuing competency ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Fee schedule ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Licensure renewal ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026