Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) · NP

Kentucky CE Requirements for Nurse Practitioners

5 hours. Every year. On a fixed renewal cycle.

Updated April 2026Sourced from KBN

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

Mandatory topics

For NPs, 5 hours is the total CE requirement. Kentucky also names specific topics that must be covered, and each one is listed below.

Pharmacology[1]
5 hrs
Annual
All APRNs must complete at least 5 contact hours in pharmacology annually (earning period November 1 – October 31). Valid pharmacology CE must include drug-specific information, safe prescribing practices, and safe medication administration. Casual medication mentions do not qualify. This is in addition to the underlying RN CE obligation — APRN certification meets the 14 contact-hour RN requirement, plus 5 pharmacology hours are required on top.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“All APRNs must complete at least 5 contact hours in pharmacology”
KBN APRN CE pageSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Abuse Reporting & Mandatory Reporter[2]
1.5 hrs
One-time
Pediatric abusive head trauma — 1.5 contact hours ONE TIME only (same as RN; one-time per-career for all Kentucky nurses including APRNs).
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A minimum of one and one-half (1.5) contact hours in pediatric abusive head trauma as required by KRS 314.073(6)”
201 KAR 20:215 §5(5)(a)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Domestic Violence[2]
3 hrs
One-time
Domestic violence and elder abuse — 3 contact hours ONE TIME only (same as RN). One-time per-career for all nurses.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A minimum of three (3) contact hours on domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation as required by KRS 194A.540(9)(d)”
201 KAR 20:215 §5(5)(b)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia[2]
1 hr
One-time
Alzheimer's disease and dementia — 1 contact hour ONE TIME only (same as RN). One-time per-career for all nurses.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A minimum of one (1) contact hour on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia as required by KRS 314.073(7)”
201 KAR 20:215 §5(5)(c)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Suicide Prevention[2]
2 hrs
One-time
Suicide prevention — 2 contact hours ONE TIME only (same as RN). One-time per-career for all nurses.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A minimum of two (2) contact hours on the subject of suicide prevention, which shall consist of one (1) contact hour on suicide prevention generally, and one (1) contact hour that addresses:”
201 KAR 20:215 §5(5)(d)See source [2] in Primary Sources
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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.

ConditionalPain Management[1]
3 hrs
Annual

APRNs with DEA registration and an active PDMP/KASPER account in Kentucky

View sourceVerbatim from source
“must complete at least 3 of the required 5 contact hours** of pharmacology”
KBN APRN CE page — DEA + PDMP/KASPER 3-of-5 pain/addictionSee source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalOpioid/Substance Use[2]
8 hrs
One-time

APRNs with DEA registration who obtained registration after June 27, 2023

View sourceVerbatim from source
“After June 27, 2023, and before the APRN's next scheduled DEA registration, an APRN who has a DEA registration shall earn a minimum of eight (8) hours on the subject of treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders”
201 KAR 20:215 §5(2). Note: the KBN APRN CE summary page does not separately list this one-time 8-hour DEA SUD requirement, and KRS 314.073 is silent on it — the rule text itself is the source; it is currently effective and unambiguous.See source [2] in Primary Sources
ConditionalMedicinal Cannabis Certification[1]
3 hrs
Annual

APRNs authorized to certify patients for medicinal cannabis use in Kentucky

View sourceVerbatim from source
“three (3) contact hours of nursing continuing education **_every year_** between November 1 – October 31,”
KBN APRN CE page — 'APRNs with authorization to provide written certifications for the use of medicinal cannabis must complete an additional' 3 contact hours yearlySee source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

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

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
1 contact hour = 50 minutes. KBN accepts CE from ANCC, AANP, and other organizations listed in 201 KAR 20:220. Pharmacology CE must include drug-specific information and safe prescribing content.Source201 KAR 20:215 / 201 KAR 20:220[1]
Board-approved credit
CE from KBN-approved providers or providers recognized by national nursing organizations in 201 KAR 20:220. Completion certificates must include nurse name, course title, completion date, contact hours, provider information, and approval source.Source201 KAR 20:215[1]
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's national certification meets the 14 contact hour RN CE requirement — APRNs with current certification do not separately complete 14 RN hours. The 5-hour pharmacology requirement is additional to this satisfaction.

FAQ
Do Kentucky NPs need separate CE from RNs?
In practice, yes — but the structure is efficient. Kentucky APRNs with current national certification are credited with satisfying the 14-hour annual RN CE requirement through that certification. On top of this, APRNs must complete 5 contact hours in pharmacology annually. The net result is that most Kentucky APRNs track 5 pharmacology hours per year, rather than 14 general RN hours plus separate APRN-specific hours.
Does Kentucky require pharmacology CE for NPs?
Yes. All Kentucky APRNs must complete at least 5 contact hours in pharmacology annually under 201 KAR 20:215. Valid pharmacology CE must include drug-specific information, safe prescribing practices, and safe medication administration. APRNs with DEA registration and an active PDMP/KASPER account must ensure at least 3 of those 5 hours address pain management or addiction disorders. A separate one-time 8-hour SUD training is required for APRNs with DEA registration obtained after June 27, 2023, before the first DEA renewal.
Is Kentucky in the APRN Compact?
No. Kentucky is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), which governs the underlying RN license, but is not a member of the APRN Compact. Kentucky NPs who wish to practice as APRNs in other states must obtain APRN licensure in those states individually.
Does Kentucky require national certification for APRN renewal?
Yes. Kentucky requires APRNs to maintain current national certification in their practice specialty. Importantly, maintaining this certification is the mechanism by which the APRN satisfies the annual 14-hour RN CE requirement — KBN accepts certification maintenance in lieu of 14 hours of general nursing CE. Certifying organizations accepted by KBN include ANCC, AANP, and other board-recognized bodies in 201 KAR 20:220.
Where can I find my Kentucky APRN renewal information?
Kentucky APRN renewal and CE information is available at https://kbn.ky.gov/advanced-practice-registered-nurse/Pages/Continuing-Education.aspx. The KBN Nurse Portal is used for voluntary CE documentation uploads and required audit responses. CE records must be retained for five years; audit responses must be provided electronically within 20 days of notification.

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Other roles in Kentucky

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. Kentucky Board of Nursing — APRN Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “All APRNs must complete at least 5 contact hours in pharmacology”KBN APRN CE page
    “must complete at least 3 of the required 5 contact hours** of pharmacology”KBN APRN CE page — DEA + PDMP/KASPER 3-of-5 pain/addiction
    “three (3) contact hours of nursing continuing education **_every year_** between November 1 – October 31,”KBN APRN CE page — 'APRNs with authorization to provide written certifications for the use of medicinal cannabis must complete an additional' 3 contact hours yearly
  2. 201 KAR 20:215 — Continuing Competency Requirements for Nurses
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “A minimum of one and one-half (1.5) contact hours in pediatric abusive head trauma as required by KRS 314.073(6)”201 KAR 20:215 §5(5)(a)
    “A minimum of three (3) contact hours on domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation as required by KRS 194A.540(9)(d)”201 KAR 20:215 §5(5)(b)
    “A minimum of one (1) contact hour on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia as required by KRS 314.073(7)”201 KAR 20:215 §5(5)(c)
    “A minimum of two (2) contact hours on the subject of suicide prevention, which shall consist of one (1) contact hour on suicide prevention generally, and one (1) contact hour that addresses:”201 KAR 20:215 §5(5)(d)
    “After June 27, 2023, and before the APRN's next scheduled DEA registration, an APRN who has a DEA registration shall earn a minimum of eight (8) hours on the subject of treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders”201 KAR 20:215 §5(2). Note: the KBN APRN CE summary page does not separately list this one-time 8-hour DEA SUD requirement, and KRS 314.073 is silent on it — the rule text itself is the source; it is currently effective and unambiguous. · Effective 2023-06-27

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 Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN), 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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