Below is exactly what Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026
For NPs, 45 hours is the total CME requirement. Oregon also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 45-hour total.
“at least 15 of the completed CE hours must be in pharmacotherapeutic content at the NP level congruent with their specialty role.”
“one hour of pain management continuing education upon initial licensure... You must retake the Oregon Pain Management Commission module every 36 months thereafter.”
“Two hours of Cultural Competency education... every other renewal cycle.”
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.
NPs who maintain active, unencumbered national certification
“Maintaining 'active, unencumbered national certification' with attestation of required hours”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Oregon 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 min 15 hrs | Of the 45 structured CE hours, at least 15 must be in pharmacotherapeutic content at the NP level. CE must be structured contact hours. ANCC-accredited and equivalent credentialing body CE qualifies.SourceOAR 851-050-0138 |
Board-approved credit | 45 structured contact hours of CE completed in the two years prior to renewal. CE must be relevant to NP scope and at the advanced practice level. The 15 pharmacotherapy hours must be at the NP level congruent with specialty role. Cultural competency hours do not need to be accredited or provide CE unit hours. Pain management must use the Oregon Pain Management Commission module.SourceOAR 851-050-0138 / OAR 851-031-0008 |
Documentation retention: NPs must maintain CE and practice hour records for no less than 5 years from the date of submission per OAR 851-050-0138.
No formal waivers or exemptions are published for Oregon.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your license anniversary 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.
“at least 15 of the completed CE hours must be in pharmacotherapeutic content at the NP level congruent with their specialty role.”OAR 851-050-0138
“Maintaining 'active, unencumbered national certification' with attestation of required hours”OAR 851-050-0138
“one hour of pain management continuing education upon initial licensure... You must retake the Oregon Pain Management Commission module every 36 months thereafter.”OAR 851-031-0008(1)
“Two hours of Cultural Competency education... every other renewal cycle.”OAR 851-031-0008(2)