New Jersey Board of Nursing (NJBON) · RN

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

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from NJBN(~4 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 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
1 contact hour per biennial renewal on prescription opioid drugs, including alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. Effective June 1, 2020. Counts toward the 30-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“All registered professional nurses and all licensed practical nurses must complete one (1) contact hour of continuing education concerning prescription opioid drugs, including alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. (Effective June 1, 2020.)”
N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(b)See source [1] in Primary Sources
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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
ANCC Contact Hour
Courses must be approved by a credentialing agency accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Services (ANCC). Employer-provided courses acceptable if they carry credit designations and the employer is ANCC-approved. One hour = 60 minutes of accredited CE.SourceN.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3 / NJBON CE FAQ
Board-approved credit
16 approved credit methods per N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(d): accredited nursing CE, medical/osteopathic education courses, pharmaceutical education courses, university coursework (5 hours per credit), teaching/curriculum development, published textbooks/articles, seminars and lectures, research projects, instructional materials development, preceptorship (10 hours for 100+ service hours), and others.SourceN.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(d)
Documentation & audit

Documentation retention: Board recommends retaining CE certificates for at least 5 years. Records may be requested during audits or disciplinary investigations.

Waivers & exemptions

Inactive license status

CE carryover

Hardship waiver

FAQ
What is the mandatory opioid CE requirement for New Jersey RNs?
Effective June 1, 2020, all New Jersey RNs and LPNs must complete 1 contact hour of CE on prescription opioid drugs per biennial renewal. The content must include alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. This hour counts toward the 30-hour total.
What types of CE count toward New Jersey RN renewal?
N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(d) specifies 16 approved credit methods. Most commonly: ANCC-accredited CE programs (employer courses acceptable if ANCC-approved), academic coursework (5 contact hours per credit), published nursing works, professional presentations, research, and preceptorship (10 hours per 100 preceptor service hours). All CE must be approved by an ANCC-accredited credentialing agency.
Is New Jersey part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
No. New Jersey is not an NLC compact member. All nurses practicing in New Jersey must hold a New Jersey-issued license, regardless of what other state licenses they hold. Nurses licensed in NLC compact states who wish to practice in New Jersey must obtain a separate New Jersey license.
Where can I get information about my New Jersey RN license renewal?
New Jersey RNs can access CE and renewal information through the NJBON CE FAQ at https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/pages/continuing-education-faq.aspx and the main Board website at https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur. The Board conducts audits and license verifications through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

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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. New Jersey Board of Nursing — Continuing Education FAQ
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “All registered professional nurses and all licensed practical nurses must complete one (1) contact hour of continuing education concerning prescription opioid drugs, including alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. (Effective June 1, 2020.)”N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(b) · Effective 2020-06-01

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 (NJBON), 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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