Kentucky Continuing Education Requirements

All nurses are required to complete Continuing Education Requirements every year between November 1 – October 31. Renewal requires ONE of the following (options CANNOT be combined to equal fourteen (14) contact hours)

• Contact Hours:
  • Proof of earning fourteen (14) approved contact hours.
  • Completion certificates are required; OR
• Evaluation & Contact Hours:
  • Proof of earning seven (7) approved contact hours, and a nursing employment evaluation satisfactory for continued employment.
  • Completion certificates are required for the seven (7) contact hours, and the KBN Continuing Education Nursing Employment Evaluation Form is completed and signed by the nurse's supervisor; OR
• National Nursing Certification:
  • Current national certification or recertification related to the nurse’s practice role in effect during the entire period or initially earned or renewed during the period (does not include clinical certifications such as ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc...); OR
• College Nursing Courses:
  • Successful completion of a post-licensure academic course at a college, university, or postsecondary vocational institution.
  • Must be relevant to nursing practice.
  • The course must have been completed during the earning period with a grade of "C" or higher or a grade of "pass" on a pass-fail grading system awarded. Calculation of contact hours: One (1) semester or trimester hour of academic credit = 15 contact hours; One (1) quarter hour of academic credit = 12 contact hours. A transcript is required; OR
• Preceptorship:
  • Participation as a preceptor for at least one nursing student or new employee. Must be for at least 120 hours and have a one-to-one relationship with the student or employee during the earning period.
  • The nurse may precept more than one student during the 120 hours; OR
• Publication of a Nursing Article:
  • Publication of an article in a peer-reviewed, health-related journal. A copy of the article is required; OR
• Presentation of a Nursing CE Course:
  • A nursing continuing education presentation that is designed and developed by the nurse presenter, presented to nurses or other health professionals, is evidenced by a program brochure, course syllabi, or a letter from the offering provider identifying the licensee as the presenter of the offering; and offered by a provider approved pursuant to 201 KAR 20:220.
  • The number of contact hours earned shall be twice the number of contact hours offered to presentation attendees; OR
• Nursing Research Project:
  • Completion of a nursing research project as principal investigator, coinvestigator, or project director.
  • Must be qualitative or quantitative in nature, utilize research methodology, and increase knowledge, resulting in improved outcomes or changes in behavior.
  • Submission must include a project abstract and a summary of the findings.

MANDATORY ONE-TIME ONLY CONTENT SPECIFIC CE REQUIREMENTS:

• Alzheimer's Disease and Other Forms of Dementia:
  • One (1) contact hour in Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of Dementia, which includes information on the warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and appropriate communication techniques for discussion of memory concerns with the patient and his or her caregiver, the variety of tools used to assess a patient’s cognition, and current treatments that may be available to the patient.
  • Individuals actively licensed as of July 15, 2024, must complete this requirement by October 31, 2027. Nurses actively licensed after July 15, 2024, must complete this requirement within 3 years of initial licensure as described in 201 KAR 20:215.
• Suicide Prevention:
  • Two (2) contact hours of approved CE addressing suicide prevention, which must address chronic toxic stress, secondary traumatic stress potentially increasing the incidence of suicide amongst nurses; a confidential and standardized pathway to care for nurses that address screening, assessing, safety planning, referrals, and follow-up for nurses at risk for suicide; systems of care, evidence-informed approaches, and best practices to reduce suicide rates; and ethical legal considerations of caring for patients and nurses who are suicidal.
  • Nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to August 2025 or Nurses who completed a program outside of Kentucky must complete this requirement within three (3) years of initial licensure.
• Domestic Violence:
  • Three (3) contact hours of approved CE addressing the dynamics and effects of domestic violence, and elder abuse, neglect and exploitation on adult and child victims.
  • Nurses who graduated from a Kentucky nursing program after May 1998 are not required to complete this continuing education activity, as the content was included within the nursing program's curriculum. RNs and LPNs who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky or have not completed a course in domestic violence must complete this requirement within (3) years of licensure.
• Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome):
  • One and one-half (1.5) contact hours of approved CE covering the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma.
  • Nurses who graduated from a Kentucky nursing program after December 2011 are not required to complete this continuing education activity, as the content was included within the nursing program's curriculum. RNs and LPNs who completed a program of nursing prior to December 2011 or completed a program of nursing outside of Kentucky must complete this requirement within three (3) years of licensure.
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Special Requirements:
  • Five (5) contact hours Sexual Assault Forensic Medicine OR Domestic Violence from KBN approved providers each licensure period. Retain documentation for at least five (5) years.

All nurses are required to complete Continuing Education Requirements every year between November 1 – October 31. An APRN’s certification meets the annual CE requirements for their RN license.

Option 1:

• All APRNs must complete at least 5 contact hours in pharmacology** between November 1 - October 31 every year.
• Note: An APRN's certification meets the 14 contact hour requirement for their RN license.

Option 2:

• All APRNs registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and have a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) account/ Kentucky All Scheduled Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) must complete at least 3 of the required 5 contact hours of pharmacology** in pain management or addiction disorders between November 1 - October 31 of each year.

An APRN's board certification satisfies the fourteen (14) contact hour requirement needed for RN licensure renewal (national certification), as long as the APRN certification was initially attained during the licensure period, has been in effect during the entire licensure period, or has been renewed during the licensure period. If these requirements are met, APRNs do not need to earn 14 contact hours of CE to renew their RN licenses.

• Pharmacology CE: Five (5) contact hours of approved pharmacology CE must be earned by all APRNs each licensure period. CE Certificates should reflect specific pharmacology contact hours awarded. To qualify as pharmacology, content shall include drug-specific information, safe prescribing practices, safe medication administration, prescribing methodologies, new regulations, or similar topics.
• APRNs with a CAPA-CS: Pursuant to 201 KAR 20:215(5)(b), of the five (5) approved pharmacology contact hours required for APRN licensure renewal, three (3) of these approved contact hours must be in the dual subject of pharmacology and either pain management, or addiction disorders each licensure period. Effective January 13, 2022, CE in the use of KASPER will no longer satisfy an APRNs CAPA-CS pharmacology requirement. It may be used to satisfy other CE requirements. Courses must include pharmacology to meet the APRNs annual requirement for completion of five (5) contact hours in pharmacology. This will be in effect beginning with the November 1, 2021 – October 31, 2022 earning period. (Amendments to regulations 201 KAR 20:215 and 201 KAR 20:065 are being reviewed and pending.)
• APRNs with a DEA-X Registration: On December 29, 2022, the President signed the omnibus appropriations bill and the requirement that healthcare providers possess a DEA X-waiver to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder was eliminated. Pursuant to 201 KAR 20:215(5)(1)(c) and 201 KAR 20:065,an APRN who had a DEA-X registration to prescribe Buprenorphine prior to December 30, 2022, shall complete a total of four (4) contact hours in addiction disorders, and 1.5 contact hours in the dual subject of pharmacology addiction disorders annually. Hours earned in pharmacology addiction disorders may be applied to the five (5) pharmacology hours required for all APRNs. (Amendments to regulations 201 KAR 20:215 and 201 KAR 20:065 are being reviewed and pending.)
• APRNs with Authorization to Provide Written Certification for the use of Medicinal Cannabis: Beginning January 1, 2025, APRNs with authorization to provide written certifications for the use of medicinal cannabis must complete three (3) contact hours of nursing continuing education every year between November 1 – October 31, 201 KAR 20:067 in the following subjects: 
  • Diagnosing qualifying medical conditions;
  • Treating qualifying medical conditions with medicinal cannabis;
  • The pharmacological characteristics of medicinal cannabis and possible drug interactions; and
  • Indications of cannabis use disorder. 
• Nurses with SANE Credential must complete at least five (5) contact hours of education related to the role of the SANE or forensic nursing between November 1 - October 31 every year. These hours can be applied to the RNs annual contact hour requirement.

One-time Only Course Requirements:

• Alzheimer's Disease: All nurses licensed as of July 15, 2024 must complete a one (1) contact hour in Alzheimer's Disease or other forms of Dementia by October 31, 2027. This is a one time only requirement.
• Suicide Prevention: All nurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky; or nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to August of 2025 are required to complete a two (2) contact hour course in Suicide Prevention within the three (3) years of initial licensure. This is a one time only requirement.
• Domestic Violence: All nurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky; or nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to May of 1988 must complete three (3) contact hours in Domestic Violence within three (3) years of initial licensure. This is a one time only requirement.
• Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: All nurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky; or nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to December of 2011 must complete 1.5 contact hours in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma. This is a one time only requirement.

As of 7/27/23: The deadline for the one-time Continuing Education requirement on Implicit Bias was July 1, 2023. If you have not obtained the training at this time, please note you will no longer be required to do so. Licensees will still be required to obtain all other applicable CE training.

All nurses are required to complete Continuing Education Requirements every year between November 1 – October 31. Renewal requires ONE of the following (options CANNOT be combined to equal fourteen (14) contact hours)

• Contact Hours:
  • Proof of earning fourteen (14) approved contact hours.
  • Completion certificates are required; OR
• Evaluation & Contact Hours:
  • Proof of earning seven (7) approved contact hours, and a nursing employment evaluation satisfactory for continued employment.
  • Completion certificates are required for the seven (7) contact hours, and the KBN Continuing Education Nursing Employment Evaluation Form is completed and signed by the nurse's supervisor; OR
• National Nursing Certification:
  • Current national certification or recertification related to the nurse’s practice role in effect during the entire period or initially earned or renewed during the period (does not include clinical certifications such as ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc...); OR
• College Nursing Courses:
  • Successful completion of a post-licensure academic course at a college, university, or postsecondary vocational institution.
  • Must be relevant to nursing practice.
  • The course must have been completed during the earning period with a grade of "C" or higher or a grade of "pass" on a pass-fail grading system awarded. Calculation of contact hours: One (1) semester or trimester hour of academic credit = 15 contact hours; One (1) quarter hour of academic credit = 12 contact hours. A transcript is required; OR
• Preceptorship:
  • Participation as a preceptor for at least one nursing student or new employee. Must be for at least 120 hours and have a one-to-one relationship with the student or employee during the earning period.
  • The nurse may precept more than one student during the 120 hours; OR
• Publication of a Nursing Article:
  • Publication of an article in a peer-reviewed, health-related journal. A copy of the article is required; OR
• Presentation of a Nursing CE Course:
  • A nursing continuing education presentation that is designed and developed by the nurse presenter, presented to nurses or other health professionals, is evidenced by a program brochure, course syllabi, or a letter from the offering provider identifying the licensee as the presenter of the offering; and offered by a provider approved pursuant to 201 KAR 20:220.
  • The number of contact hours earned shall be twice the number of contact hours offered to presentation attendees; OR
• Nursing Research Project:
  • Completion of a nursing research project as principal investigator, coinvestigator, or project director.
  • Must be qualitative or quantitative in nature, utilize research methodology, and increase knowledge, resulting in improved outcomes or changes in behavior.
  • Submission must include a project abstract and a summary of the findings.

MANDATORY ONE-TIME ONLY CONTENT SPECIFIC CE REQUIREMENTS:

• Alzheimer's Disease and Other Forms of Dementia:
  • One (1) contact hour in Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of Dementia, which includes information on the warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and appropriate communication techniques for discussion of memory concerns with the patient and his or her caregiver, the variety of tools used to assess a patient’s cognition, and current treatments that may be available to the patient.
  • Individuals actively licensed as of July 15, 2024, must complete this requirement by October 31, 2027. Nurses actively licensed after July 15, 2024, must complete this requirement within 3 years of initial licensure as described in 201 KAR 20:215.
• Suicide Prevention:
  • Two (2) contact hours of approved CE addressing suicide prevention, which must address chronic toxic stress, secondary traumatic stress potentially increasing the incidence of suicide amongst nurses; a confidential and standardized pathway to care for nurses that address screening, assessing, safety planning, referrals, and follow-up for nurses at risk for suicide; systems of care, evidence-informed approaches, and best practices to reduce suicide rates; and ethical legal considerations of caring for patients and nurses who are suicidal.
  • Nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to August 2025 or Nurses who completed a program outside of Kentucky must complete this requirement within three (3) years of initial licensure.
• Domestic Violence:
  • Three (3) contact hours of approved CE addressing the dynamics and effects of domestic violence, and elder abuse, neglect and exploitation on adult and child victims.
  • Nurses who graduated from a Kentucky nursing program after May 1998 are not required to complete this continuing education activity, as the content was included within the nursing program's curriculum. RNs and LPNs who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky or have not completed a course in domestic violence must complete this requirement within (3) years of licensure.
• Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome):
  • One and one-half (1.5) contact hours of approved CE covering the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma.
  • Nurses who graduated from a Kentucky nursing program after December 2011 are not required to complete this continuing education activity, as the content was included within the nursing program's curriculum. RNs and LPNs who completed a program of nursing prior to December 2011 or completed a program of nursing outside of Kentucky must complete this requirement within three (3) years of licensure.
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Special Requirements:
  • Five (5) contact hours Sexual Assault Forensic Medicine OR Domestic Violence from KBN approved providers each licensure period. Retain documentation for at least five (5) years.
• LPN Infusion Therapy:
  • Prior to performing infusion therapy, the licensed practical nurse (LPN) shall have completed education and training related to the scope of infusion therapy for an LPN.
  • The education or training program shall be based on the Policies and Procedures for Infusion Therapy: Home Infusion and the Infusion Therapy: Standards of Practice and shall include the following components:
    • Legal considerations and risk management issues;
    • Related anatomy and physiology including fluid and electrolyte balance;
    • Principles of pharmacology as related to infusion therapy;
    • Infusion equipment and preparation;
    • Principles and procedures for administration of solutions and medications via intravenous route including transfusion therapy and parental nutrition’
    • Principles and procedures for site maintenance for a peripheral venous access device and a central venous access device;
    • Assessment of and appropriate interventions for complications related to infusion therapy; and
    • Demonstration and validation of competency for infusion therapy procedures.

SRNAs and CNAs must provide proof of employment that you performed nursing or nursing related functions for at least eight (8) hours for pay as a nurse aide during the past twenty-four (24) months.

• Proof of employment may be a copy of a pay stub, a W-2 form, or a letter from an employer.  The name of the facility must be imprinted on the proof of employment.
• On March 20, 2023, the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) implemented the new Optimal Regulatory Board System, or “ORBS,” a proprietary, cloud-based license management system. The Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry will no longer be mailing renewal reminders or certification letters.

A nursing facility will provide and document that at least 12 hours of ongoing staff development training is given annually to each nurse aide who:

• is employed by the facility; and
• has satisfactorily completed the nurse aide training and competency evaluation program.

Please check with your facility/employer to ensure your continuing education courses are accepted.

 

 

In Kentucky, certifications are not required for medical assistants to be employed but it is recommended by most employers.