Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) · NP

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

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from KBN(~5 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For NPs, 5 hours is the total CME requirement. Kentucky also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 5-hour total.

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 annually between November 1 – October 31.”
201 KAR 20:215See source [1] in Primary Sources
Abuse Reporting[2]
1.5 hrs
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
“All nurses must complete: 1.5 hours on pediatric abusive head trauma”
201 KAR 20:215See source [2] in Primary Sources
Domestic violence[2]
3 hrs
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
“All nurses must complete: 3 hours on domestic violence and elder abuse”
201 KAR 20:215See source [2] in Primary Sources
Alzheimer’s & dementia[2]
1 hr
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
“All nurses must complete: 1 hour on Alzheimer's disease and dementia”
201 KAR 20:215See source [2] in Primary Sources
Suicide prevention[2]
2 hrs
Suicide prevention — 2 contact hours ONE TIME only (same as RN). One-time per-career for all nurses.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“All nurses must complete: 2 hours on suicide prevention”
201 KAR 20:215See source [2] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Kentucky 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.

ConditionalPain management & end-of-life care[1]
3 hrs
Annual

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

View sourceVerbatim from source
“APRNs with DEA Registration and PDMP/KASPER Account: must complete at least 3 of the required 5 contact hours in pain management or addiction disorders annually.”
201 KAR 20:215See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalOpioid / controlled substances[3]
8 hrs
Annual

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

View sourceVerbatim from source
“APRNs with DEA registration must complete a minimum of eight (8) hours on the subject of treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders after June 27, 2023, before next DEA renewal.”
201 KAR 20:215See source [3] in Primary Sources
ConditionalPharmacology[1]
3 hrs
Annual

APRNs authorized to certify patients for medicinal cannabis use in Kentucky

View sourceVerbatim from source
“APRNs Authorized for Medicinal Cannabis Certification: Must complete an additional three (3) contact hours yearly.”
201 KAR 20:215See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Kentucky 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
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

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

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
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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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 annually between November 1 – October 31.”201 KAR 20:215
    “APRNs with DEA Registration and PDMP/KASPER Account: must complete at least 3 of the required 5 contact hours in pain management or addiction disorders annually.”201 KAR 20:215
    “APRNs Authorized for Medicinal Cannabis Certification: Must complete an additional three (3) contact hours yearly.”201 KAR 20:215
  2. Kentucky Board of Nursing — Continuing Education Requirements
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “All nurses must complete: 1.5 hours on pediatric abusive head trauma”201 KAR 20:215
    “All nurses must complete: 3 hours on domestic violence and elder abuse”201 KAR 20:215
    “All nurses must complete: 1 hour on Alzheimer's disease and dementia”201 KAR 20:215
    “All nurses must complete: 2 hours on suicide prevention”201 KAR 20:215
  3. 201 KAR 20:215 — Continuing Competency Requirements for Nurses
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “APRNs with DEA registration must complete a minimum of eight (8) hours on the subject of treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders after June 27, 2023, before next DEA renewal.”201 KAR 20:215 · 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. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN), 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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