Ohio Board of Nursing (OHBON) · NP

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

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from OBN(~6 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For NPs, 24 hours is the total CME requirement. Ohio also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 24-hour total.

Pharmacology[1]
12 hrs
Biennial
At least 12 of the 24 APRN-specific CE hours must be in advanced pharmacology, received from an accredited institution recognized by OHBON. This applies to CNPs (Certified Nurse Practitioners), CNSs (Clinical Nurse Specialists), and CNMs (Certified Nurse-Midwives) per ORC § 4723.24(C)(2)(c). This is part of the 24 APRN-specific hours, not the 24 RN hours. CRNAs are not listed in this subdivision — the 12-hour advanced pharmacology requirement does not appear to apply to CRNAs under this section.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners must complete at least twelve hours of the education in advanced pharmacology and be received from an accredited institution recognized by the board.”
ORC § 4723.24(C)(2)(c)See source [1] in Primary Sources
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Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Ohio 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
ANCC contact hours from OHBON-approved programs accepted toward both the RN (24 hr) and APRN (24 hr) CE layers. The 12-hour advanced pharmacology component must be from an accredited institution recognized by OHBON — confirm accreditation status before enrolling.SourceORC § 4723.24 / OAC Chapter 4723-14
Board-approved credit
CE from OHBON-approved providers for both RN and APRN layers. The 12-hour advanced pharmacology portion must come from an institution accredited and recognized by the OHBON — not all board-approved providers qualify for the pharmacology component.SourceORC § 4723.24 / OAC Chapter 4723-14
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 Ohio.

FAQ
Does Ohio require pharmacology CE for NPs?
Yes. ORC § 4723.24(C)(2)(c) requires CNPs, CNSs, and CNMs to complete at least 12 hours of advanced pharmacology CE per two-year period as part of their 24-hour APRN CE block. This pharmacology CE must be received from an accredited institution recognized by the OHBON — not all CE providers qualify. Ohio NPs should verify that their chosen pharmacology CE provider meets OHBON's accredited institution recognition standard before enrolling.
Is Ohio in the APRN Compact?
No. Ohio is an NLC compact member for RN licensure but is not a member of the APRN Compact as of 2026. Ohio APRN authorization is specific to Ohio and does not travel to other states under any compact agreement. NPs who hold Ohio APRN certification and wish to practice as APRNs in other states must obtain authorization in those states separately.
Does Ohio require NPs to maintain national certification for APRN renewal?
Yes. Ohio requires documentation of national certification for APRN licensure. The OHBON requires NPs to maintain current national certification from a recognized certifying body as a condition of APRN renewal. NPs should track their national certification expiration dates separately from their Ohio license renewal dates and ensure that certification is active at the time of APRN renewal.
Where can I check my Ohio NP/APRN license renewal date?
Ohio NPs can verify their license status through the OHBON website at https://nursing.ohio.gov. The OHBON operates an online Nurse Portal for renewal applications. Renewal notices are sent to the licensee's address on file with the OHBON. NPs with questions about APRN renewal requirements should contact OHBON directly through the website, as the CE requirements page URL changed as of 2026-04-24.

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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. Ohio Rev. Code § 4723.24 — Continuing Nursing Education Requirements
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners must complete at least twelve hours of the education in advanced pharmacology and be received from an accredited institution recognized by the board.”ORC § 4723.24(C)(2)(c) · Effective 2019-11-01

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 Ohio Board of Nursing (OHBON), 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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