Kentucky Nurse Practitioner license renewal and CE requirements
Kentucky nurse practitioners must complete 14 contact hours of continuing education every year to renew their license with the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Kentucky nursing credentials renew every year. The renewal window runs from September 15 through midnight Eastern time on October 31, and a credential not renewed by that moment lapses; working on a lapsed credential is prohibited. The APRN and RN credentials are renewed together in a combined APRN/RN renewal. The continuing competency earning period matching the renewal is November 1 through October 31.
Summary
Kentucky nurse practitioners must complete 14 contact hours of continuing education every year to renew their license with the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Kentucky nursing credentials renew every year. The renewal window runs from September 15 through midnight Eastern time on October 31, and a credential not renewed by that moment lapses; working on a lapsed credential is prohibited. The APRN and RN credentials are renewed together in a combined APRN/RN renewal. The continuing competency earning period matching the renewal is November 1 through October 31. Kentucky also mandates specific subjects. Pharmacology: 5 contact hours every renewal cycle (every advanced practice registered nurse). Pain management or addiction disorders, inside the five pharmacology hours: 3 contact hours every renewal cycle (An APRN who is registered with the DEA and has a KASPER prescription drug monitoring account as defined by 201 KAR 20:057). Treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders: a one-time requirement of 8 contact hours (An APRN who has a DEA registration, due after June 27, 2023 and before the next scheduled DEA registration). Pediatric abusive head trauma: a one-time requirement of 1.5 contact hours. Domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation: a one-time requirement of 3 contact hours. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia: a one-time requirement of 1 contact hour. Suicide prevention: a one-time requirement of 2 contact hours.
Kentucky Nurse Practitioner renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Annual (12 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Same date for every licensee, 10/31 each cycle |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 14 contact hours |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | Not stated |
| First renewal exempt | Not stated |
| Other accepted activities | Current national certification or recertification related to the nurse's practice role, in place of the 14 contact hours, when it was attained during the earning period, was in effect for the entire earning period, or was recertified during the earning period; A completed nursing research project, publication of an article in a peer reviewed health related journal, or serving as preceptor for at least one nursing student or new employee for at least 120 hours; Seven contact hours plus a satisfactory nursing employment evaluation covering at least six months of the earning period; Designing and delivering a nursing continuing education presentation, credited at twice the contact hours offered to an attendee; Postlicensure academic coursework relevant to nursing practice: one semester or trimester hour equals 15 contact hours, one quarter hour equals 12 contact hours |
The Kentucky structure is a choice of method plus a fixed advanced practice add-in. Under 201 KAR 20:215 Section 3 a licensee validates continued competency each earning period by one of four methods, the most common being 14 contact hours from a board approved provider. Whichever method is chosen, the licensee must also complete the continuing education required by Section 5, and for an APRN that means a minimum of 5 contact hours in pharmacology every earning period under KRS 314.073(9). When the 14 hour method is used, the 5 pharmacology hours count inside the 14 rather than on top. An APRN who chooses the national certification method still owes the 5 pharmacology hours. A contact hour is 50 minutes. The earning period is November 1 through October 31 of the current licensure period. The RN privilege and the APRN credential renew together, so this is the total a Kentucky nurse practitioner owes rather than an RN base plus an APRN increment.
Required CE topics for Kentucky nurse practitioners
State-specific subject mandates. Where a mandate applies only to some licensees, the scope is listed.
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Applies to | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PharmacologyContent must include drug specific information, safe prescribing practices, safe medication administration, prescribing methodologies, new administrative regulations or similar topics, with stated objectives. Casual mention of medications or medical treatments does not qualify. Non-canonical topic key. | 5 contact hours | Every renewal | Every advanced practice registered nurse | 201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(1)(a); KRS 314.073(9) |
| Pain management or addiction disorders, inside the five pharmacology hoursFor these APRNs at least 3 of the 5 pharmacology hours must be on either pain management or addiction disorders. It narrows the pharmacology hours rather than adding to them. | 3 contact hours | Every renewal | An APRN who is registered with the DEA and has a KASPER prescription drug monitoring account as defined by 201 KAR 20:057 | 201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(1)(b) |
| Treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disordersMust include the appropriate clinical use of all FDA approved drugs for treating a substance use disorder. An APRN who graduated from an advanced practice nursing school within five years before June 27, 2023 with at least eight hours of that content in the curriculum, or who has already earned eight hours of such training including past DATA-Waiver training, is deemed to have satisfied it. Groups approved by the DEA or SAMHSA may provide it in addition to board approved providers. | 8 contact hours | One time | An APRN who has a DEA registration, due after June 27, 2023 and before the next scheduled DEA registration | 201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(2) and (3) |
| Pediatric abusive head traumaA one time requirement. A nurse who satisfied it on or before July 15, 2024 does not repeat it. An APRN who holds an RN privilege and obtains initial licensure after July 15, 2024 has three years from licensure to complete it. | 1.5 contact hours | One time | All licensees | 201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(5)(a); KRS 314.073(6) |
| Domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitationA one time requirement, with the same July 15, 2024 grandfathering and the same three year window for nurses newly licensed after that date. | 3 contact hours | One time | All licensees | 201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(5)(b); KRS 194A.540(9)(d) |
| Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementiaA one time requirement. Registered nurses, practical nurses and advanced practice registered nurses holding an active license on July 15, 2024 must satisfy it on or before October 31, 2027. | 1 contact hour | One time | All licensees | 201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(5)(c); KRS 314.073(7) |
| Suicide preventionOne hour on suicide prevention generally plus one hour covering chronic toxic stress and secondary traumatic stress among nurses, a confidential standardized pathway to care for nurses at risk, systems of care and best practices to reduce suicide rates, and the ethical and legal considerations of caring for suicidal patients and nurses. A one time requirement with the same grandfathering and three year windows. | 2 contact hours | One time | All licensees | 201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(5)(d) |
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | No, attestation only |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | 5 years |
| Board audits compliance | Yes |
| Approved providers | Continuing education must come from a provider approved by the board under 201 KAR 20:220, except that DEA or SAMHSA approved groups may provide the eight hour substance use disorder training. The licensee chooses a validation method, keeps the documentation, and produces it if the board directs. Records are retained at least five years following the current licensure period and, on request, furnished electronically through the board's continuing education tracking system in the nurse portal within 20 days of the request. Documentation must also be produced if the licensee is the subject of a disciplinary complaint or is selected in a random audit. |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Kentucky NP need to renew?
- Kentucky nurse practitioners must complete 14 contact hours of continuing education every year to renew their license with the Kentucky Board of Nursing. The Kentucky structure is a choice of method plus a fixed advanced practice add-in. Under 201 KAR 20:215 Section 3 a licensee validates continued competency each earning period by one of four methods, the most common being 14 contact hours from a board approved provider. Whichever method is chosen, the licensee must also complete the continuing education required by Section 5, and for an APRN that means a minimum of 5 contact hours in pharmacology every earning period under KRS 314.073(9). When the 14 hour method is used, the 5 pharmacology hours count inside the 14 rather than on top. An APRN who chooses the national certification method still owes the 5 pharmacology hours. A contact hour is 50 minutes. The earning period is November 1 through October 31 of the current licensure period. The RN privilege and the APRN credential renew together, so this is the total a Kentucky nurse practitioner owes rather than an RN base plus an APRN increment.
- How often does a Kentucky NP license need to be renewed?
- Nurse Practitioner licenses in Kentucky renew every year. Kentucky nursing credentials renew every year. The renewal window runs from September 15 through midnight Eastern time on October 31, and a credential not renewed by that moment lapses; working on a lapsed credential is prohibited. The APRN and RN credentials are renewed together in a combined APRN/RN renewal. The continuing competency earning period matching the renewal is November 1 through October 31.
- What specific CE topics are required for Kentucky nurse practitioners?
- Pharmacology: 5 contact hours every renewal cycle (every advanced practice registered nurse). Pain management or addiction disorders, inside the five pharmacology hours: 3 contact hours every renewal cycle (An APRN who is registered with the DEA and has a KASPER prescription drug monitoring account as defined by 201 KAR 20:057). Treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders: a one-time requirement of 8 contact hours (An APRN who has a DEA registration, due after June 27, 2023 and before the next scheduled DEA registration). Pediatric abusive head trauma: a one-time requirement of 1.5 contact hours. Domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation: a one-time requirement of 3 contact hours. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia: a one-time requirement of 1 contact hour. Suicide prevention: a one-time requirement of 2 contact hours. Citations: pharmacology (201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(1)(a); KRS 314.073(9)), pain management or addiction disorders, inside the five pharmacology hours (201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(1)(b)), treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders (201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(2) and (3)), pediatric abusive head trauma (201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(5)(a); KRS 314.073(6)), domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(5)(b); KRS 194A.540(9)(d)), Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia (201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(5)(c); KRS 314.073(7)), and suicide prevention (201 KAR 20:215 Section 5(5)(d)).
- Do Kentucky nurse practitioners have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Licensees attest to completion at renewal rather than submitting certificates, the board audits a sample of renewals and asks for documentation, and records must be kept for 5 years. Continuing education must come from a provider approved by the board under 201 KAR 20:220, except that DEA or SAMHSA approved groups may provide the eight hour substance use disorder training. The licensee chooses a validation method, keeps the documentation, and produces it if the board directs. Records are retained at least five years following the current licensure period and, on request, furnished electronically through the board's continuing education tracking system in the nurse portal within 20 days of the request. Documentation must also be produced if the licensee is the subject of a disciplinary complaint or is selected in a random audit.
Sources
Last verified September 8, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- 201 KAR 20:215 Continuing competency requirements, Kentucky Board of NursingStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 8, 2026
- Renewal, Kentucky Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 8, 2026
- Kentucky Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 8, 2026
Kentucky licenses the nurse practitioner as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and 201 KAR 20:215 states the continuing competency rule for all nurses with an APRN specific section, so the advanced practice requirements recorded here are the shared APRN rule rather than a nurse practitioner specific one. The 14 contact hours, the four validation methods, the five pharmacology hours and every mandated subject were read in the full text of 201 KAR 20:215 on the Legislative Research Commission's site. The annual September 15 to October 31 renewal window and the combined APRN and RN renewal were read on the board's own renewal page. One topic key is outside the canonical list: pharmacology. The board's renewal page shows that a licensee answering yes to the APRN national certification revocation question will not have the credential renewed until the board reviews it, so current national certification matters at renewal; it also serves as one of the four ways to validate continued competency, which is why it appears in alternatives_accepted. Sexual assault nurse examiners and medicinal cannabis practitioners have extra continuing education under other regulations that were not read and are not recorded here, because they are role specific rather than nurse practitioner requirements.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Kentucky Board of Nursing before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.