New Jersey Board of Nursing · CRNA

30 hours. Every two years. Tied to your license anniversary.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from NJBN~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 30, 2026

Mandatory topics

For CRNAs, 30 hours is the total CME requirement. New Jersey also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 30-hour total.

Opioid / controlled substances[1]
1 hr
Biennial
All NJ RNs/APNs (including CRNAs) must complete at least one hour of CE on prescription opioid drugs, alternatives to opioids for managing pain, and risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. Embedded within the 30-hour biennial total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Each applicant for biennial active license renewal shall complete, during the preceding biennial period, a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education that shall, commencing with the biennial renewal period beginning on June 1, 2020, include at least one hour in topics concerning prescription opioid drugs.”
N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(b)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Palliative care[2]
2 hrs
Biennial
Advanced practice nurses must complete two hours of CE in programs or topics related to end-of-life care, embedded within the 30-hour biennial total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Pursuant to P.L. 2011, c. 145 (N.J.S.A. 45:11-47.1), two credits of the continuing education completed pursuant to (a) above shall be in programs or topics related to end-of-life care.”
N.J.A.C. 13:37-7.8(b)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your New Jersey 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.

ConditionalGeneral CME[2]
Hrs vary

CRNAs must hold and maintain current NBCRNA national certification AND complete NBCRNA's CE requirements, in addition to the 30-hour NJ RN/APN biennial CE total. N.J.A.C. 13:37-7.8(a) explicitly incorporates the national certifying agency's CE requirements.

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Every biennial period, an advanced practice nurse shall complete the continuing education required for the renewal of a registered professional nurse license pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3 and the continuing education requirements of the national certifying agency whose examination the advanced practice nurse successfully passed.”
N.J.A.C. 13:37-7.8(a)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, New Jersey 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
NBCRNA Class A
NBCRNA Class A credits accepted toward APN CE.Sourcehttps://www.nbcrna.com/continued-certification[3]
NBCRNA_CLASS_B
NBCRNA Class B credits accepted toward APN CE.Sourcehttps://www.nbcrna.com/continued-certification[3]
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 formal waivers or exemptions are published for New Jersey.

FAQ
How many state-level CE hours do New Jersey CRNAs need?
30 contact hours per biennial renewal under N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3 (incorporated for APNs by 13:37-7.8). Embedded within the 30: at least 1 hour on prescription opioid drugs and 2 hours on end-of-life care. APNs must also complete the CE requirements of their national certifying agency — for CRNAs that means NBCRNA's MAC program. Independent-practice APNs face additional pharmacology CE blocks (14 hours initial controlled-substance pharmacology plus 10 biennial pharmacology hours).
Does New Jersey require NBCRNA certification for CRNA licensure?
Yes. APN-CRNA practice in NJ requires current NBCRNA certification. Lapse of NBCRNA certification jeopardizes the NJ APN-CRNA credential.
Is New Jersey part of the APRN Compact?
No. NJ has not enacted the APRN Compact and is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for the RN portion. Both credentials are single-state.
Where can I check my NJ CRNA license renewal date?
Use the NJ license verification tool at https://newjersey.mylicense.com/verification/ or contact the NJ Board of Nursing at (973) 504-6430.

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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. N.J. Admin. Code § 13:37-5.3 — RN/LPN biennial CE
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “Each applicant for biennial active license renewal shall complete, during the preceding biennial period, a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education that shall, commencing with the biennial renewal period beginning on June 1, 2020, include at least one hour in topics concerning prescription opioid drugs.”N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(b) · Effective 2020-06-01
  2. N.J. Admin. Code § 13:37-7.8 — Continuing education (APN)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “Pursuant to P.L. 2011, c. 145 (N.J.S.A. 45:11-47.1), two credits of the continuing education completed pursuant to (a) above shall be in programs or topics related to end-of-life care.”N.J.A.C. 13:37-7.8(b)
    “Every biennial period, an advanced practice nurse shall complete the continuing education required for the renewal of a registered professional nurse license pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3 and the continuing education requirements of the national certifying agency whose examination the advanced practice nurse successfully passed.”N.J.A.C. 13:37-7.8(a)
  3. NBCRNA — Continued Certification
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30

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 New Jersey 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 medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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