Ohio Board of Nursing (OHBON) · RN

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(~5 min read

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

Mandatory topics

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

Legal / risk[1]
1 hr
Biennial
At least 1 of the 24 CE hours must be in 'category A' continuing education — directly related to the statutes and rules pertaining to the practice of nursing in Ohio. This is required for all RN licensees per ORC § 4723.24(C)(1) and OAC 4723-14-03(A). The 1 hour is part of the 24-hour total, not additive.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“twenty-four hours of continuing nursing education; at least one hour of the education must be directly related to the statutes and rules pertaining to the practice of nursing in this state.”
ORC § 4723.24(C)(1) / OAC 4723-14-03(A)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Ohio 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[2]
0 hrs
Biennial

Nurses who obtained initial licensure through the NCLEX examination

View detailsEditorial summary
No CE required for the first renewal after licensure by examination per OAC 4723-14-03(A)(1).
OAC 4723-14-03(A)(1)See source [2] in Primary Sources
ConditionalGeneral CME[2]
12 hrs
Biennial

Nurses licensed by endorsement within 1 year before renewal

View detailsEditorial summary
Nurses licensed by endorsement less than 1 year before their renewal date must complete 12 contact hours (not 24) per OAC 4723-14-03(A)(2).
OAC 4723-14-03(A)(2)See source [2] in Primary Sources
ConditionalHuman trafficking[2]
1 hr
Biennial

RNs who may earn CE credit through CE addressing human trafficking victims or sexual assault victims

View detailsEditorial summary
Per OAC 4723-14-03(J), up to 1 contact hour related to recognition and handling of human trafficking victims or victims of sexual assault may qualify as part of the required 24 hours. This is an optional CE topic that counts toward the total — not an additional mandate.
OAC 4723-14-03(J)See source [2] in Primary Sources
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
CE from OHBON-approved programs or courses. ORC § 4723.24 requires that all CE be obtained through 'a program or course approved by the board.' ANCC-accredited providers typically qualify as board-approved.SourceORC § 4723.24 / OAC 4723-14-03
Board-approved credit
CE from OHBON-approved providers only. Volunteer healthcare services to indigent and uninsured persons may earn up to 8 CE hours at 1 hour per 60 minutes of documented service per OAC 4723-14-03(L). Excess CE hours from one period cannot carry forward to the next per OAC 4723-14-03(G)-(I).SourceOAC 4723-14-03
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

One-time waiver available for good cause; waivers are one-use only and cannot be used in consecutive renewal periods

Inactive license holders are not required to complete CE during inactive status

FAQ
What is category A CE, and why is it required?
Category A continuing education is education directly related to the statutes and rules pertaining to the practice of nursing in Ohio — Ohio nursing law and administrative regulations. ORC § 4723.24(C)(1) requires at least 1 of the 24 biennial CE hours to be in this category. The purpose is to ensure that all Ohio RNs have current awareness of the legal framework governing their practice. This 1 hour is included within the 24-hour total, not in addition to it. Board-approved Ohio nursing law courses, including online programs offered by OHBON-approved providers, satisfy this requirement.
Is Ohio in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
Yes. Ohio is an NLC compact member. Ohio-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 rules under the compact. Ohio residents renewing with OHBON must meet the 24-hour biennial CE and 1-hour category A requirements. Nurses from other compact states practicing in Ohio renew with their home-state boards.
Are there any CE topic mandates for Ohio RNs beyond the 1-hour Ohio law requirement?
For general RN licensees, the only topic-specific requirement is the 1-hour category A (Ohio nursing law) CE. There are no universal mandates for pharmacology, cultural competency, abuse reporting, or other clinical topics in the general RN renewal framework. OAC 4723-14-03(J) notes that up to 1 CE hour addressing human trafficking or sexual assault victims may count as qualifying CE, but this is a permissive provision — not a mandate. Volunteer certificate holders have additional content specifications under OAC 4723-14-03(K), but these apply to a narrowly defined licensee category.
Where can I check my Ohio RN license renewal date?
Ohio RNs can verify their license status through the OHBON website at https://nursing.ohio.gov. The OHBON Nurse Portal is used for renewal applications and audit notifications. Nurses should keep their contact information current with OHBON to receive timely renewal notices. For questions about CE requirements, contact OHBON directly through the website.

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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
    “twenty-four hours of continuing nursing education; at least one hour of the education must be directly related to the statutes and rules pertaining to the practice of nursing in this state.”ORC § 4723.24(C)(1) / OAC 4723-14-03(A)
  2. Ohio Admin. Code 4723-14-03 — CE Requirement for Licensed Practical and Registered Nurses
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23

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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