DC Board of Nursing · RN

24 hours. Every two years. Tied to your birth month.

Below is exactly what DC Board of Nursing requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from DBN~3 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 24 hours is the total CME requirement. District of Columbia also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 24-hour total.

Cultural competency[1]
2 hrs
Biennial
2 of the 24 contact hours must be on LGBTQ topics (cultural competency or specialized clinical training focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning patients). Counts toward the 24-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“2 of the 24 contact hours must be on LGBTQ topics (cultural competency or specialized clinical training that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) patients)”
D.C. Code § 3-1205.10See source [1] in Primary Sources
General CME[1]
3 hrs
Biennial
3 of the 24 contact hours must be on public health priority topics as identified by the DC Director of Health. Topics identified by the Director include: responsible opioid prescribing, abuse/neglect/trafficking reporting, sexual health/HIV/AIDS, ethics, smoking/vaping, emergency preparedness, impairment identification, vaccinations, and implicit bias/cultural competence. Also interpreted as 10% of total hours (approximately 2.4 hours) on Director's topics. Counts toward the 24-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“3 of the 24 contact hours must be on Public Health topics (as identified by the Director as public health priorities)”
D.C. Code § 3-1205.10See source [1] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your District of Columbia cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, District of Columbia 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
DC Board of Nursing recognizes CE from ANCC-accredited providers. The DC Board also recognizes CE from registered nurse organizations, health services organizations recognized by the Board, accredited educational institutions, and CME certified by the American Medical Association.Sourcehttps://dchealth.dc.gov/service/education-resources-nurses[2]
Board-approved credit
CE from health care facilities, institutions, organizations, colleges, schools, or universities accredited by the Secretary of the US Department of Education. Certificate of Participation required after each CE activity.Sourcehttps://dchealth.dc.gov/service/education-resources-nurses[2]
Documentation & audit

Effective June 16, 2024, DC nursing licenses now expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month rather than a fixed renewal date (previously June 30). This change aligns DC with the birth-month renewal model used by many states.

Waivers & exemptions

Nurses who have not practiced in DC during the previous licensing cycle or who do not see patients in clinical settings may qualify for exemptions per D.C. Code § 3-1205.10.

FAQ
Is the District of Columbia a Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction?
No. DC is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). All nurses practicing registered nursing in DC must hold a DC-issued license. There are no compact multistate privileges in DC.
What are the Director's Topics requirement for DC nurses?
DC requires at least 3 contact hours per biennial period on public health topics identified by the DC Director of Health. Topics identified include opioid prescribing, abuse/trafficking reporting, HIV/AIDS and sexual health, ethics, vaccinations, impairment, and implicit bias. The Director announces the specific priority topics each renewal cycle.
When does a DC nursing license expire?
As of June 16, 2024, DC nursing licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month rather than a fixed date. Nurses should confirm their specific expiration date through the DC Health online renewal portal at dohlicenseinfo.secure.force.com/dchealthrenewals/.

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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. DC Board of Nursing — Official Website
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “2 of the 24 contact hours must be on LGBTQ topics (cultural competency or specialized clinical training that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) patients)”D.C. Code § 3-1205.10
    “3 of the 24 contact hours must be on Public Health topics (as identified by the Director as public health priorities)”D.C. Code § 3-1205.10
  2. DC Board of Nursing — Education Resources for Nurses
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23

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 DC Board of 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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