Pharmacology[1]
8 hrs
View sourceVerbatim from source
“include at least eight (8) contact hours of pharmacology”
IC § 25-23-1-19.7(b)(2)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Mandatory topics
For NPs, 0 hours is the total CME requirement. Indiana also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 0-hour total.
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Indiana 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.
ConditionalAll CME[1]
30 hrs
Biennial
NPs renewing prescriptive authority for the second or later time (subsection (b) of IC § 25-23-1-19.7)
View sourceVerbatim from source
“attest to the board that the applicant has successfully completed at least thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education. The hours must: (1) be completed within the two (2) years immediately preceding the renewal; (2) include at least eight (8) contact hours of pharmacology; and”
IC § 25-23-1-19.7(b)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalAll CME[1]
15 hrs
Biennial
NPs renewing prescriptive authority for the first time, with prescriptive authority granted at least 12 months before the expiration date (subsection (a)(2) of IC § 25-23-1-19.7)
View sourceVerbatim from source
“attest to the board that the applicant has successfully completed at least fifteen (15) contact hours of continuing education. The hours must: (A) be completed after the prescriptive authority was granted and before the expiration of the prescriptive authority; (B) include at least four (4) contact hours of pharmacology; and”
IC § 25-23-1-19.7(a)(2)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalGeneral[1]
0 hrs
Biennial
NPs renewing prescriptive authority for the first time, with prescriptive authority granted less than 12 months before the expiration date (subsection (a)(1) of IC § 25-23-1-19.7)
View sourceVerbatim from source
“less than twelve (12) months before the expiration date of the prescriptive authority, no continuing education is required”
IC § 25-23-1-19.7(a)(1)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Indiana 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 system | Notes |
|---|---|
ANCC Contact Hour | CE from nationally approved sponsors of continuing education for nurses accepted. ANCC-accredited programs qualify.SourceIC § 25-23-1-19.7(b)(3) |
Board-approved credit | CE approved by the board and listed by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency as approved hours.Source848 IAC 5-1-3(e)(1) |
Documentation & audit
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Waivers & exemptions
No CE required for first prescriptive authority renewal if authority was granted less than 12 months before expiration
FAQ
How many CE hours do Indiana NPs need for prescriptive authority renewal?
The answer depends on whether this is the NP's first renewal of prescriptive authority. For standard renewal (second renewal or later, or following any lapse), IC § 25-23-1-19.7(b) requires 30 contact hours within the two years immediately preceding renewal, including at least 8 hours of pharmacology. For a first renewal when prescriptive authority was granted at least 12 months before expiration, the requirement is 15 contact hours including at least 4 hours of pharmacology under IC § 25-23-1-19.7(a)(2). For a first renewal when authority was granted less than 12 months before expiration, no CE is required. (Note: Indiana's separate 2-hour opioid prescribing CE for Controlled Substance Registration renewal, under IC 35-48-3-3.5, expired July 1, 2025 and no longer applies.) Be aware that the administrative rule 848 IAC 5-1-3 states 8 pharmacology hours without distinguishing first-renewal applicants — the statute controls, but NPs should contact INBON to confirm how the board processes first-renewal applications.
Does Indiana require a collaborative agreement for NP prescribing?
Yes. Indiana requires NPs seeking or renewing prescriptive authority to maintain a current written collaborative practice agreement with a licensed practitioner. The agreement requirements are set out in 848 IAC 5-1-1(a)(7) and include contact information for both parties, office locations authorized for prescribing, certification documentation, chart-sampling requirements (at least a 5% random sample of charts and prescribed medications), and regular prescribing practice reviews. The collaborative agreement must be submitted as part of the prescriptive authority renewal application under 848 IAC 5-1-3(e)(2). Indiana does not have independent prescriptive authority for NPs — the collaborative agreement is a condition of both initial and renewal prescriptive authority, not a transitional requirement.
Is Indiana in the APRN Compact?
No. Indiana is not a member of the APRN Compact, which is a separate agreement from the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). Indiana is an NLC member state, meaning Indiana RNs (including those who are also NPs) may be eligible for a multistate RN license. However, the APRN Compact — which would allow NPs to hold a single multistate APRN license valid in member states — does not include Indiana. NPs who wish to practice as APRNs in Indiana must hold a state-specific Indiana APRN license and, if prescribing, a separate Indiana prescriptive authority permit. NPs practicing in multiple states should consult each state's APRN licensing requirements individually, as compact reciprocity for APRN practice is not available in Indiana.