North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON) · RN

North Dakota CE Requirements for Registered Nurses

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from NDBON

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 12 hours is the total CE requirement. No topic requirement applies to all RNs in North Dakota. The conditional requirements below apply when the trigger described on each card is met.

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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[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

North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON) accepts ANCC Contact Hour toward the CE requirement for RNs, along with other credit it approves.

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
How many CE hours do North Dakota RNs need for license renewal?
North Dakota RNs must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education within the two years immediately preceding their renewal application. The NDBON CE page states this requirement directly: nurses must "demonstrate successful completion of 12 contact hours of continuing education (CE) within the preceding two years." Nurses who obtained initial licensure through the NCLEX examination are exempt from CE before their first renewal only; CE is required for all subsequent renewals. Hours cannot be carried over from one period to the next.
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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Other roles in North Dakota

CE requirements for Registered Nurses in other states

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. CE requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON), or any other state licensing board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Registered nurses are solely responsible for verifying their own current CE requirements directly with their state licensing board before relying on any information presented here.

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