Connecticut Department of Public Health — Nursing · RN

2 hours. Every 6 years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Below is exactly what Connecticut Department of Public Health — Nursing requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from CDPH—N~3 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 2 hours is the total CME requirement. Connecticut also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 2-hour total.

Suicide prevention[1]
2 hrs
Custom
Required once every six years. Connecticut requires 2 contact hours covering (1) screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention training. This requirement took effect January 1, 2022, for RNs and LPNs actively practicing in Connecticut. First-time renewal applicants are exempt. One contact hour is defined as at least 50 minutes of instruction.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses actively practicing in Connecticut and applying for license renewal after January 1, 2022, and once every six years thereafter, are required to complete two contact hours of training or education. The education must cover (1) screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention training.”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-88bSee source [1] in Primary Sources
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Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Connecticut Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
Connecticut DPH accepts CE from American Nurses Association (ANA), Connecticut Hospital Association, Connecticut Nurses Association, The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce (CCNW), specialty nursing societies, hospitals, health care institutions, regionally accredited academic institutions, and state or local health departments. ANCC-accredited providers within these categories qualify.Sourcehttps://portal.ct.gov/dph/practitioner-licensing--investigations/registered-nurse/continuing-education[1]
Board-approved credit
CE from DPH-recognized organizations including specialty nursing societies and equivalent organizations in other jurisdictions. Online courses from recognized providers qualify.Sourcehttps://portal.ct.gov/dph/practitioner-licensing--investigations/registered-nurse/continuing-education[1]
Documentation & audit

Documentation of CE must be retained for a minimum of 3 years following the year in which the CE was completed. Licensees must produce records within 45 days of a departmental audit request.

Waivers & exemptions

First-time renewal applicants are exempt from the 2-hour mental health/suicide prevention CE requirement.

Nurses not engaged in active practice may apply for exemption from the CE requirement.

Medical disability or illness may qualify a licensee for waivers or time extensions.

FAQ
Is Connecticut a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No. Connecticut is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Connecticut nurses hold single-state licenses. Nurses wishing to practice in Connecticut must obtain a Connecticut RN license.
When is the 2-hour mental health CE requirement due?
The 2-hour mental health and suicide prevention CE requirement applies once every six years. It first applied to Connecticut RNs renewing after January 1, 2022. First-time renewal applicants are exempt from this requirement.
How long do I need to keep my Connecticut CE records?
Connecticut requires CE documentation to be retained for a minimum of three years following the year in which the CE was completed. If selected for a DPH audit, nurses must provide documentation within 45 days of the request.

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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. Connecticut DPH — Continuing Education for Registered Nurses
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses actively practicing in Connecticut and applying for license renewal after January 1, 2022, and once every six years thereafter, are required to complete two contact hours of training or education. The education must cover (1) screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention training.”CT DPH RN CE Page

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Connecticut Department of Public Health — Nursing, or any other state medical board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Physicians are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state's medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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