Wisconsin Licensed Practical Nurse license renewal and CE requirements
Wisconsin does not require continuing education for LPN/LVN license renewal, which happens every two years.
Licensed practical nurse credentials renew every two years. DSPS states that the required renewal date for the licensed practical nurse credential is April 30 of each odd numbered year, which is a different date and a different year from the registered nurse credential. A nurse who receives an initial credential in the months before that date still has to renew on the statutory date. Renewal is filed through the LicensE online system.
Summary
Wisconsin does not require continuing education for LPN/LVN license renewal, which happens every two years. Licensed practical nurse credentials renew every two years. DSPS states that the required renewal date for the licensed practical nurse credential is April 30 of each odd numbered year, which is a different date and a different year from the registered nurse credential. A nurse who receives an initial credential in the months before that date still has to renew on the statutory date. Renewal is filed through the LicensE online system.
Wisconsin Licensed Practical Nurse 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 | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Same date for every licensee, 04/30 each cycle |
| Continuing education required | No |
Wisconsin does not require continuing education to renew a licensed practical nurse license. Wis. Admin. Code N 2.40(2) says a person renewing the credential within 5 years shall pay the renewal fee and the nursing workforce survey fee and complete the nursing workforce survey to the satisfaction of the board, and nothing else. N 2.40(3) adds, for a credential renewed after 5 years, either documentation of employment requiring a nursing license within the last five years or completion of a board approved nursing refresher course or equivalent education. Chapter N 2 applies to RN and LPN credentials alike. The Board of Nursing chapters contain no continuing education chapter for practical nurses; the only nursing continuing education requirement in the code is the 16 contact hours per biennium for advanced practice prescribers in ch. N 8.
Required CE topics for Wisconsin licensed practical nurses
The Wisconsin Board of Nursing, Department of Safety and Professional Services pages and rules we read do not mandate specific subject areas for this license type. Hours may be in any approved subject.
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | Not stated |
| Board audits compliance | Not stated |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Wisconsin LPN/LVN need to renew?
- Wisconsin does not require continuing education for LPN/LVN license renewal, which happens every two years. Wisconsin does not require continuing education to renew a licensed practical nurse license. Wis. Admin. Code N 2.40(2) says a person renewing the credential within 5 years shall pay the renewal fee and the nursing workforce survey fee and complete the nursing workforce survey to the satisfaction of the board, and nothing else. N 2.40(3) adds, for a credential renewed after 5 years, either documentation of employment requiring a nursing license within the last five years or completion of a board approved nursing refresher course or equivalent education. Chapter N 2 applies to RN and LPN credentials alike. The Board of Nursing chapters contain no continuing education chapter for practical nurses; the only nursing continuing education requirement in the code is the 16 contact hours per biennium for advanced practice prescribers in ch. N 8.
- How often does a Wisconsin LPN/LVN license need to be renewed?
- Licensed Practical Nurse licenses in Wisconsin renew every two years. Licensed practical nurse credentials renew every two years. DSPS states that the required renewal date for the licensed practical nurse credential is April 30 of each odd numbered year, which is a different date and a different year from the registered nurse credential. A nurse who receives an initial credential in the months before that date still has to renew on the statutory date. Renewal is filed through the LicensE online system.
Sources
Last verified September 7, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- Licensed Practical Nurse, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. N 2, Licensure (N 2.40, Renewal), Board of NursingStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 7, 2026
- Wis. Stat. ch. 440, Department of Safety and Professional Services (440.08(2)(a)48, Nurse, licensed practical: May 1 of each odd-numbered year)Statute or administrative rule, accessed September 7, 2026
- Wisconsin Administrative Code, Board of Nursing, chapter indexStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 7, 2026
- Board of Nursing, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
The absence of a continuing education requirement was confirmed against the renewal rule itself, Wis. Admin. Code N 2.40, which covers RN and LPN credentials in one chapter, and against the Board of Nursing chapter index, which lists no continuing education chapter for either. The deadline was read separately for practical nurses rather than copied from the RN record: the DSPS licensed practical nurse page says the required renewal date is April 30 of each odd numbered year, while the registered nurse page says February 28 or February 29 of each even numbered year. The statute at 440.08(2)(a)48 lists the practical nurse renewal date as May 1 of each odd numbered year, and Wis. Stat. 440.01(2)(dm) defines the renewal date as the date on which a credential expires; DSPS translates that into an April 30 deadline for licensees, which is the figure recorded here. Documentation fields are null because a state with no continuing education requirement has no proof, retention, or audit rule to record.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Wisconsin Board of Nursing, Department of Safety and Professional Services before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.