NE
Nebraska Continuing Education Requirements
Details about continuing education and license renewal in Nebraska. Jump straight to your profession below.
If there’s one thing to know about Nebraska, it’s that it doesn’t take college football lightly. It’s also where Kool Aid was invented, and apparently, the birthplace of the famous Reuben sandwich. But what do people in Nebraska do for a living? According to a study done in 2013 by the Nebraska Department of Labor, registered nurses made up a great deal of the state’s employment market.
However, as time went on, the state came to the conclusion that there would eventually be a shortage of nurses throughout the state, and implemented a plan in the year 2000 to combat this foreseeable problem. In order for nurses to find jobs in a more centralized location, the state create a Nebraska Center for Nursing organization, which states that they have been analyzing nursing workforce data collected by surveys from RNs and LPNs.
The organization keeps an active report listed on their website of updated workforce data collections, as well as a list of the state’s colleges and universities where prospective students can earn a nursing education. If you currently live in Nebraska and are thinking of switching careers, or are a nurse looking to relocate, consider working in Nebraska, where you can get a first-hand experience of working in small, close-knit rural communities.
Nebraska Registered Nurse (RN)
20
hours ·
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
In order to renew, all LPN/RN nurses must meet one of the continued competency requirements or waivers listed below:
- Have practiced nursing for at least 500 hours during the past five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of continuing education from an approved provider within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses.
- Have graduated from a nursing program in more than two, but less than five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of nursing continuing education within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses; OR
- Have graduated from a nursing program within the last two years.
- Have completed an approved refresher course within the last five years.
- Have obtained/maintained current certification in a nursing specialty granted by a nationally recognized certifying organization; OR
- Have developed and maintained a portfolio that includes the licensee's current continuing competency goals and evidence/verification of professional activities to meet those goals.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Phone402-471-3121
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
301 Centennial Mall South, 1st floor
Lincoln, NE 68508
Lincoln, NE 68508
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
Nebraska Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
20
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
In order to renew, all LPN/RN nurses must meet one of the continued competency requirements or waivers listed below:
- Have practiced nursing for at least 500 hours during the past five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of continuing education from an approved provider within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses.
- Have graduated from a nursing program in more than two, but less than five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of nursing continuing education within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses; OR
- Have graduated from a nursing program within the last two years.
- Have completed an approved refresher course within the last five years.
- Have obtained/maintained current certification in a nursing specialty granted by a nationally recognized certifying organization; OR
- Have developed and maintained a portfolio that includes the licensee's current continuing competency goals and evidence/verification of professional activities to meet those goals.
Special Requirements
*LPNs who are currently permitted to provide IV therapy:
- Those who hold or have held a LPN-C license
- Graduates from an approved program of practical nursing after May 1, 2016
- Currently licensed LPNs who complete an 8-hour didactic course in IV therapy (content peripheral IVs, central lines, and legal aspects) AND an approved employer-specific IV therapy skills course.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Phone402-471-3121
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
301 Centennial Mall South, 1st floor
Lincoln, NE 68508
Lincoln, NE 68508
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
Nebraska Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
20
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
All Nebraska nurses are required to complete 20 hours of CE to renew a license.
APRN-CNS:
APRN-CNS:
- Hold current national certification (AACN, ANCC, or ONCC)
- CNS currently holding Nebraska licensure under an alternative competency assessment may continue to do so.
- Hold current national certification (NBCRNA).
- Hold current national certification (AMCB).
- Mandatory opiate prescribing CE requirement (see below*).
- Hold current national certification.
- Mandatory opiate prescribing CE requirement (See below*).
- If licensed more than five years, at least 2,080 hours of practice as an NP within the previous five years immediately preceding renewal.
Special Requirements
*Health care professionals that prescribe controlled substances, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), must complete 3 hours of continuing education (CE) in opiate prescribing in order to qualify for license renewal beginning in 2020 and ending with the 2028 renewal.
This continuing education may include but is not limited to, education regarding prescribing and administering opiates, the risks and indicators regarding development of addition to opiates, and emergency opiate situations. one half hour of the 3 hour requirement must cover a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
This continuing education may include but is not limited to, education regarding prescribing and administering opiates, the risks and indicators regarding development of addition to opiates, and emergency opiate situations. one half hour of the 3 hour requirement must cover a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Phone402-471-3121
Fax402-742-1163
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
301 Centennial Mall South, 1st floor
Lincoln, NE 68509
Lincoln, NE 68509
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
Nebraska Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Last Updated: Friday, September 6, 2024
CEs not required.
To stay active, must have worked as a nurse aide in a paid position within 24 months of their last job as a nurse aide
NE Department of Health & Human Services - Regulation and Licensure Credentialing Division
Phone402-471-4322
Fax402-742-1151
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509
Lincoln, NE 68509
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
Nebraska Medical Assistant (MA)
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
In Nebraska, medical assistants are not required to obtain licensure or certification from state organizations in order to work in the medical field.
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
What do NE nurses earn?
Average pay by profession and region.