Maryland Continuing Education Requirements

RNs and LPNs shall show evidence of the following during license renewal: 

• Active Nursing Practice: Applicants must either have one thousand (1,000) hours of active nursing practice within the last five (5) years, or have graduated from an approved nursing program in that period.
• Continuing Education: Alternatively, thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education within the two (2) years before renewal can meet the requirement.
• College/University Coursework: Nurses can also submit relevant college coursework in place of contact hours. Each semester hour counts for fifteen (15) contact hours, provided the course is nursing-related and the applicant earns a grade of “C” or higher. An official transcript is needed for proof.

Implicit Bias Training: As of April 1, 2022, licensees must attest that they’ve completed an implicit bias training course. 

• UPDATE: Starting October 1, 2025 the implicit bias training shall be modified to "Implicit Bias and Racism Training". This is a one-time requirement.
• You must attest on the renewal application that you have completed the program.

RNs and LPNs shall show evidence of the following during license renewal: 

• Active Nursing Practice: Applicants must either have one thousand (1,000) hours of active nursing practice within the last five (5) years, or have graduated from an approved nursing program in that period.
• Continuing Education: Alternatively, thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education within the two (2) years before renewal can meet the requirement.
• College/University Coursework: Nurses can also submit relevant college coursework in place of contact hours. Each semester hour counts for fifteen (15) contact hours, provided the course is nursing-related and the applicant earns a grade of “C” or higher. An official transcript is needed for proof.

Implicit Bias Training: As of April 1, 2022, licensees must attest that they’ve completed an implicit bias training course. 

• UPDATE: Starting October 1, 2025 the implicit bias training shall be modified to "Implicit Bias and Racism Training". This is a one-time requirement.
• You must attest on the renewal application that you have completed the program.

A nurse practitioner shall maintain an active certification while practicing.

 A certification as a nurse practitioner expires at the same time as the nurse practitioner's registered nursing license. Below are RN and LPN license renewal requirements:

• Active Nursing Practice: Applicants must either have one thousand (1,000) hours of active nursing practice within the last five (5) years, or have graduated from an approved nursing program in that period.
• Continuing Education: Alternatively, thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education within the two (2) years before renewal can meet the requirement.
• College/University Coursework: Nurses can also submit relevant college coursework in place of contact hours. Each semester hour counts for fifteen (15) contact hours, provided the course is nursing-related and the applicant earns a grade of “C” or higher. An official transcript is needed for proof.

Implicit Bias Training: As of April 1, 2022, licensees must attest that they’ve completed an implicit bias training course. 

• UPDATE: Starting October 1, 2025 the implicit bias training shall be modified to "Implicit Bias and Racism Training". This is a one-time requirement.
• You must attest on the renewal application that you have completed the program.

All providers/practitioners who prescribe or dispense controlled dangerous substances must attest to the completion of the 2-hour Continuing Education.

• Prescribers: Practitioners authorized to prescribe Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) in Maryland must be registered with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The ability to obtain a new or renewal CDS permit from the Maryland Office of Controlled Substances Administration (formerly Division of Drug Control) will be dependent on having registered with the PDMP.

Certificate holders shall provide satisfactory evidence of completion of the following every two (2) years for certificate renewal:

• Sixteen (16) hours of active nursing assistant practice within the two (2) year period immediately preceding the date of expiration.

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

Maryland certified nursing assistants and geriatric nursing assistants (including Home Health Aides/HHAs) must complete continuing education (CE) for renewal. CNA/GNAs must complete 10 hours of approved continuing education every two years, in addition to working at least 8 hours in the role during that period, to maintain certification.

On April 1, 2022, a new law went into effect requiring all healthcare practitioners applying for license renewal to complete an implicit bias training program course. This is a one-time requirement. You must attest on the renewal application that you have completed the program.

Licensure and certification is not required of medical assistants in Maryland.