Below is exactly what North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026
North Carolina has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 30-hour total.
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.
RNs who choose the 30-contact-hour CE pathway as their continuing competence option (one of eight approved pathways)
“(2) 30 contact hours of continuing education activities related to the nurse's practice;”
RNs choosing options 5-8 under 21 NCAC 36.0232(b) — each requires 15 CE hours plus an additional activity
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, North Carolina 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 contact hours from continuing education activities related to the nurse's practice. North Carolina uses the terminology 'contact hours of continuing education activities' — ANCC-accredited hours qualify.Source21 NCAC 36.0232 |
Board-approved credit | CE from providers meeting NCBON-recognized standards. National certification, academic credit (minimum 2 semester hours post-licensure), Board-approved refresher courses, and qualifying practice-plus-CE combinations are each recognized as alternative continuing competence pathways.Source21 NCAC 36.0232 |
Documentation retention requirement: 3 years per 21 NCAC 36.0232(c)-(h). Licensees must retain supporting documentation but submit only if specifically notified of an audit.
RN renewal is tied to birth month (biennial). The NCBON sends random audit notifications via the Nurse Portal when renewal notifications are released.
No grace periods and no exceptions granted for continuing competence requirements — all requirements must be met before renewal or reinstatement licenses will be issued
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your birth month renewal.
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.
“(2) 30 contact hours of continuing education activities related to the nurse's practice;”21 NCAC 36.0232(b)(2)