OR
Oregon Continuing Education Requirements
Details about continuing education and license renewal in Oregon. Jump straight to your profession below.
Oregon Registered Nurse (RN)
20
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
2. Applicants who cannot attest to 400 hours of practice in the past two years preceding application for renewal must:
1. RN license renewal is dependent on meeting one of the following requirements:
(a) 400 hours of nursing practice, at the level of license sought, within the two years immediately preceding renewal application. Applicants initially licensed prior to January 1, 2021, must attest to having 400 hours of practice in the previous two years by their second renewal cycle after implementation of these rules. Prior to this second renewal, the applicant may use the previously required competency hours of 960 in 5 years; or
(b) Graduation from the Board-approved Oregon, or out of state school of nursing, or international nursing program that qualified the licensee for this type of license within the two years immediately preceding renewal application; or
(c) Completing a re-entry program meeting the requirements of OAR 851-021-0080; or OAR 851-031-0065 within the two years immediately preceding application for licensure renewal.
(b) Graduation from the Board-approved Oregon, or out of state school of nursing, or international nursing program that qualified the licensee for this type of license within the two years immediately preceding renewal application; or
(c) Completing a re-entry program meeting the requirements of OAR 851-021-0080; or OAR 851-031-0065 within the two years immediately preceding application for licensure renewal.
2. Applicants who cannot attest to 400 hours of practice in the past two years preceding application for renewal must:
(a) Have at least 600 hours of practice in the last three years. The applicant must submit documentation of 20 hours of continuing education related to their area of nursing practice; employer - required continuing education does not qualify; or
(b) Have at least 800 hours of practice in the last four years. The applicant must submit documentation of 30 hours of continuing education related to their area of practice; employer- required continuing education does not qualify.
(c) If the applicant is unable to qualify by any other option listed and has some practice but less than 960 hours of practice in the last five years, the applicant must apply for practice re-entry per OAR 851-031-0061.
(b) Have at least 800 hours of practice in the last four years. The applicant must submit documentation of 30 hours of continuing education related to their area of practice; employer- required continuing education does not qualify.
(c) If the applicant is unable to qualify by any other option listed and has some practice but less than 960 hours of practice in the last five years, the applicant must apply for practice re-entry per OAR 851-031-0061.
Special Requirements
Oregon law requires all licensed nurses and other health professionals to receive one hour of pain management continuing education upon initial licensure and at every renewal thereafter. This one (1) hour must be the Oregon Pain Management Commission module.
All healthcare providers are mandated to complete two (2) hours of cultural competence. According to the Oregon Board of Nursing, courses where the main topic is cultural competency will be accepted to meet this requirement.
Oregon Nurses must complete a Suicide Prevention course.
The remaining hours can be of your choice, from CE courses that are accredited by an established accrediting body (such as another state board of nursing or national organization) for continuing nursing education.
All healthcare providers are mandated to complete two (2) hours of cultural competence. According to the Oregon Board of Nursing, courses where the main topic is cultural competency will be accepted to meet this requirement.
Oregon Nurses must complete a Suicide Prevention course.
The remaining hours can be of your choice, from CE courses that are accredited by an established accrediting body (such as another state board of nursing or national organization) for continuing nursing education.
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Phone971-673-0685
Fax971-673-0684
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd.
Portland, OR 97224-7012
Portland, OR 97224-7012
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.
Oregon Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
45
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
To renew, the APRN must maintain their RN license. In addition, they must meet one of the following qualifications:
For the initial application for Prescriptive Privilege and Dispensing Authority for APRNs, the APRN must do one of the following:
- Practiced 400 hours at the APRN level in the two years preceding renewal.
- Is within two years of graduation as an APRN.
- Is within two years of completion of a Board approved re-entry program.
- If the APRN cannot attest to these, they must apply for reactivation of license via re-entry.
For the initial application for Prescriptive Privilege and Dispensing Authority for APRNs, the APRN must do one of the following:
- Complete an initial education program within 2 years providing at least 45 CE of advanced pharmacology concepts
- Complete 45 hours of discrete pharmacology course related to their population foci
Special Requirements
- Oregon law requires all licensed nurses and other health professionals to receive one hour of pain management continuing education upon initial licensure and at every renewal thereafter. This one (1) hour must be the Oregon Pain Management Commission module.
- All healthcare providers are mandated to complete two (2) hours of cultural competence. According to the Oregon Board of Nursing, courses where the main topic is cultural competency will be accepted to meet this requirement.
- All healthcare workers seeking renewal are required to complete (3) three hours of Suicide Prevention Training.
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Phone971-673-0685
Fax971-673-0684
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97224-7012
Portland, Oregon 97224-7012
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.
Oregon Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
2. Applicants who cannot attest to 400 hours of practice in the past two years preceding application for renewal must:
1. LPN license renewal is dependent on meeting one of the following requirements:
(a) 400 hours of nursing practice, at the level of license sought, within the two years immediately preceding renewal application. Applicants initially licensed prior to January 1, 2021, must attest to having 400 hours of practice in the previous two years by their second renewal cycle after implementation of these rules. Prior to this second renewal, the applicant may use the previously required competency hours of 960 in 5 years; or
(b) Graduation from the Board-approved Oregon, or out of state school of nursing, or international nursing program that qualified the licensee for this type of license within the two years immediately preceding renewal application; or
(c) Completing a re-entry program meeting the requirements of OAR 851-021-0080; or OAR 851-031-0065 within the two years immediately preceding application for licensure renewal.
(b) Graduation from the Board-approved Oregon, or out of state school of nursing, or international nursing program that qualified the licensee for this type of license within the two years immediately preceding renewal application; or
(c) Completing a re-entry program meeting the requirements of OAR 851-021-0080; or OAR 851-031-0065 within the two years immediately preceding application for licensure renewal.
2. Applicants who cannot attest to 400 hours of practice in the past two years preceding application for renewal must:
(a) Have at least 600 hours of practice in the last three years. The applicant must submit documentation of 20 hours of continuing education related to their area of nursing practice; employer - required continuing education does not qualify; or
(b) Have at least 800 hours of practice in the last four years. The applicant must submit documentation of 30 hours of continuing education related to their area of practice; employer- required continuing education does not qualify.
(c) If the applicant is unable to qualify by any other option listed and has some practice but less than 960 hours of practice in the last five years, the applicant must apply for practice re-entry per OAR 851-031-0061.
(b) Have at least 800 hours of practice in the last four years. The applicant must submit documentation of 30 hours of continuing education related to their area of practice; employer- required continuing education does not qualify.
(c) If the applicant is unable to qualify by any other option listed and has some practice but less than 960 hours of practice in the last five years, the applicant must apply for practice re-entry per OAR 851-031-0061.
Special Requirements
- Oregon law requires all licensed nurses and other health professionals to receive one hour of pain management continuing education upon initial licensure and at every renewal thereafter. This one (1) hour must be the Oregon Pain Management Commission module.
- All healthcare providers are mandated to complete two (2) hours of cultural competence. According to the Oregon Board of Nursing, courses where the main topic is cultural competency will be accepted to meet this requirement.
- All healthcare workers seeking renewal are required to complete (3) three hours of Suicide Prevention Training.
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Phone971-673-0685
Fax971-673-0684
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97224-7012
Portland, Oregon 97224-7012
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.
Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
20
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Friday, May 16, 2025
CEs not required.
Worked at least 400 hours in the last two years in any U.S. state or jurisdiction with active CNA certification, in a paid position doing CNA authorized duties with supervision of an RN or LPN or monitoring by an RN. Hours worked as a CNA 2 or CMA within the last two years may be used as part or all of the required 400 hours of paid employment. If it has been less than two years from completion of training program, this requirement is waived.
No continuing education is required for renewal. Please check with your facility/employer to ensure your continuing education courses are accepted.
No continuing education is required for renewal. Please check with your facility/employer to ensure your continuing education courses are accepted.
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Phone971-673-0685
Fax971-673-0684
WebsiteVisit Site
Address
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97224-7012
Portland, Oregon 97224-7012
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.
Oregon Medical Assistant (MA)
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
Oregon has no medical assistant license or certification requirements. Medical assistants are unregulated personnel and work in outpatient settings under the direction of the physician.
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Address
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd
Portland 97224
Portland 97224
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 OR nurses earn?
Average pay by profession and region.