Colorado Board of Nursing · NP

Colorado CE Requirements for Nurse Practitioners

0 hours. Every two years. On a fixed renewal cycle.

Updated April 2026Sourced from CBN

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

No topic requirement applies to all NPs in Colorado. The conditional requirements below apply when the trigger described on each card is met.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Colorado cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Conditional requirements

These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.

ConditionalOpioid/Substance Use[1]
2 hrs
Biennial

NPs with prescriptive authority (APRN with Schedule II–V prescribing) in Colorado

View sourceVerbatim from source
“every advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority, except those exempted under Section (C)(3) of Rule 1.25, is required to complete at least two hours of training per renewal period in order to demonstrate competency regarding the topics/areas specified in section 12-30-114(1)(a),”
3 CCR 716-1, Rule 1.25(C)(1) (Colorado State Board of Nursing)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Colorado Board of Nursing accepts ANCC Contact Hour toward the CE requirement for NPs, along with other credit it approves.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
ANCC contact hours from approved providers. National certification maintenance CE is accepted to the extent it satisfies the 2-hour Substance Use Prevention requirement.
Board-approved credit
Colorado Board of Nursing-approved CE. The Substance Use Prevention requirement should be met through board-approved or ANCC-accredited programming on substance use topics.
Documentation & audit

NPs are responsible for retaining CE documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.

Waivers & exemptions

An APRN with prescriptive authority is exempt from the 2-hour Substance Use Prevention training requirement if they qualify for either exemption set forth in section 12-30-114(1)(b), C.R.S. Qualifying licensees attest to the exemption during the renewal/reinstatement application.

FAQ
How many CE hours do Colorado nurse practitioners need?
Colorado NPs with prescriptive authority must complete 2 contact hours of Substance Use Prevention CE per biennial renewal cycle. This is the only state-mandated CE requirement for Colorado NPs. The base RN renewal imposes no CE hours. National certification maintenance (through ANCC, AANP, or equivalent) carries its own CE requirements set by the certifying body.
Do Colorado NPs have independent prescriptive authority?
Yes. Colorado grants NPs full practice authority (FPA), meaning Colorado NPs can practice and prescribe independently without a mandatory physician collaborative practice agreement. This includes prescribing controlled substances within the NP's scope of practice.
What is the Substance Use Prevention CE requirement for Colorado NPs?
APRNs with prescriptive authority in Colorado must complete 2 contact hours in Substance Use Prevention with each biennial renewal cycle, per 3 CCR 716-1: F-2.i. This requirement reflects Colorado's public health focus on preventing substance use disorder through prescriber education.
Is Colorado a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Colorado is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The multistate license privilege applies to the RN component of licensure. APRN practice authorization is state-specific and does not automatically travel under the NLC.

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Other roles in Colorado

CE requirements for Nurse Practitioners in other states

Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=10185&fileName=3%20CCR%20716-1
    Source
    Show verbatim text
    “every advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority, except those exempted under Section (C)(3) of Rule 1.25, is required to complete at least two hours of training per renewal period in order to demonstrate competency regarding the topics/areas specified in section 12-30-114(1)(a),”3 CCR 716-1, Rule 1.25(C)(1) (Colorado State Board of Nursing)

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CE requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Colorado Board of Nursing, or any other state licensing board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Nurse practitioners are solely responsible for verifying their own current CE requirements directly with their state licensing board before relying on any information presented here.

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