North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON) · RN

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

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from NDBN(~5 min read

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

Mandatory topics

North Dakota has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 12-hour total.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your North Dakota 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[1]
0 hrs
Biennial

Nurses who obtained initial licensure through the NCLEX examination

View sourceVerbatim from source
“An applicant that obtained initial licensure through examination will not need to complete any contact hours of approved CE before that first renewal.”
NDBON CE Renewal PageSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, North Dakota 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
Contact hours from NDBON-approved CE providers. CPR, BLS, shortened ACLS/PALS/NRP, agency orientation, self-directed study, volunteer work, and UpToDate activities do NOT meet CE requirements.Sourcehttps://ndbon.org/licensing/renewal/ce/[1]
Board-approved credit
CE from approved providers. Academic credit hours accepted. CE hours may not carry over from one renewal period to the next.Sourcehttps://ndbon.org/licensing/renewal/ce/[1]
Documentation & audit

Documentation retention: 4 years (two renewal cycles). Nurses maintain CE records; the NDBON only requests documentation if selected for audit through the Nurse Portal.

Waivers & exemptions

First renewal after licensure by examination: no CE required

Practice hours requirement: all renewing nurses must meet or exceed 400 practice hours within the preceding four years

FAQ
What types of CE count toward North Dakota RN renewal?
Contact hours from NDBON-approved CE providers count toward the 12-hour requirement. Academic credit hours are also accepted. The NDBON specifically excludes: CPR certification, BLS certification, shortened ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, agency orientation, self-directed study, volunteer work, and UpToDate activity certificates. Nurses should verify that a CE program is Board-approved before relying on it for renewal.
Is North Dakota in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
Yes. North Dakota is an NLC compact member. North Dakota-licensed RNs who meet compact eligibility requirements hold a multistate license authorizing practice in all other NLC member states. CE and renewal obligations follow the home state's rules under the compact. North Dakota RNs residing in North Dakota renew with NDBON and must satisfy the 12-hour biennial CE requirement and 400-hour four-year practice requirement. Nurses from other compact states practicing in North Dakota renew with their home-state boards.
Does North Dakota require practice hours in addition to CE?
Yes. Separate from the 12-hour CE requirement, all North Dakota nurses renewing their license must demonstrate 400 hours of active nursing practice within the preceding four years. This is a distinct requirement from CE. Exceptions apply for nurses who completed a Board-approved refresher course within the preceding year or graduated from a nursing program within the past four years with fewer than 400 hours accumulated. The practice hours and CE hours are both required but tracked separately.
Where can I check my North Dakota RN license renewal date?
North Dakota RNs can verify their license status and manage their renewal through the NDBON Nurse Portal at www.ndbon.org. Renewal notifications and audit notices are sent through the Nurse Portal. Nurses should keep their contact information current in the Portal to receive timely renewal reminders. For CE-specific questions, contact NDBON at renewal@ndbon.org or (701) 751-3000.

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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. North Dakota Board of Nursing — Continuing Education for Renewal
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “An applicant that obtained initial licensure through examination will not need to complete any contact hours of approved CE before that first renewal.”NDBON CE Renewal Page

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 North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON), 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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