Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) · RN

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

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from OSBN(~6 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 0 hours is the total CME requirement. Oregon also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 0-hour total.

Pain management & end-of-life care[1]
1 hr
Custom
1 contact hour of pain management CE every 36 months. The specific program is the Oregon Pain Management Commission module — no other provider is accepted for this requirement. Required upon initial licensure and every 36 months thereafter. The 36-month cycle operates independently from the 2-year renewal cycle. Oregon-based nursing program graduates do not need additional pain management training at initial licensure. From January 1, 2028, this 1 hour may count toward the 20-hour biennial CE total per OAR 851-031-0008(5).
View sourceVerbatim from source
“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) / ORS 678.101See source [1] in Primary Sources
Cultural competency[2]
2 hrs
Custom
2 contact hours of cultural competency CE every 48 months (every other renewal cycle). Applies to all licensed nurses. Education does not need to be accredited or provide CE unit hours. May be obtained from employers, online sources, or OHA-approved courses. No proof submitted at renewal — nurses check the box on the renewal application. Documentation must be retained for audit. From January 1, 2028, these 2 hours may count toward the 20-hour biennial CE total per OAR 851-031-0008(5).
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Two hours of Cultural Competency education... every other renewal cycle.”
OAR 851-031-0008(2)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Oregon 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[3]
20 hrs
Biennial

RNs renewing on or after January 1, 2028

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Starting January 1, 2028, all renewal applicants must complete the required CE hours for their license type before submitting their renewal application: (a) LPN or RN applicants, 20 hours within two years;”
OAR 851-031-0008(3)(a)See source [3] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

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 systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
For the 2028 general CE requirement: CE must be in nursing topics relevant to the applicant's level of licensure per OAR 851-031-0008(7). The cultural competency requirement does not need to be accredited or provide CE unit hours. The pain management requirement uses only the Oregon Pain Management Commission module.SourceOAR 851-031-0008
Board-approved credit
For the 2028 general CE requirement, CE must be in nursing topics at the applicant's level. Cultural competency may be from employers, online sources, or OHA-approved courses. Pain management must use the Oregon Pain Management Commission module specifically.SourceOAR 851-031-0008
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

Non-practicing licensees: RNs not practicing in Oregon are exempt from the infection control/pain management requirements until they resume practice (90-day grace period on resuming)

Oregon nursing program graduates: exempt from the pain management requirement at initial licensure (covered by program curriculum)

FAQ
What is the Oregon Pain Management Commission module, and where can I find it?
The Oregon Pain Management Commission module is the only accepted educational source for the 1-hour pain management CE requirement under OAR 851-031-0008(1). It must be completed upon initial licensure and every 36 months thereafter. The module is available through OSBN-approved channels — nurses should access it through the Oregon Pain Management Commission's resources or the OSBN competency requirements page at www.oregon.gov/osbn/pages/pain-management.aspx. No other provider, ANCC-accredited program, or general pain management CE satisfies this requirement.
Is Oregon in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
No. Oregon is not an NLC compact member. All nurses practicing in Oregon must hold a separate, individually issued Oregon license through the OSBN. A compact multistate license issued by another state does not authorize practice in Oregon. Nurses from compact states working in Oregon as travel nurses or in cross-border practices must apply for an Oregon license and comply with Oregon's renewal and CE requirements.
When does the 20-hour CE requirement for Oregon RNs take effect?
The 20-hour biennial CE requirement takes effect January 1, 2028, under OAR 851-031-0048(2)(c) and OAR 851-031-0008(3)(a). It is not currently in effect as of April 2026. When it does take effect, the pain management (1 hour/36 months) and cultural competency (2 hours/48 months) hours will count toward the 20-hour total — they will not be additive. Oregon RNs who are already completing these mandatory topics are building credit toward the future 20-hour total.
Where can I check my Oregon RN license renewal date?
Oregon RNs can verify their license status and submit renewals through the OSBN renewal portal at osbn.boardsofnursing.org/orbn. The OSBN competency requirements page at www.oregon.gov/osbn/pages/competency-requirements.aspx provides current guidance on mandatory training requirements and timelines. Oregon nurses should note that the license expires on the anniversary of issuance and that applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date to be considered timely.

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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. OSBN — Pain Management Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “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) / ORS 678.101
  2. OSBN — Cultural Competency Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Two hours of Cultural Competency education... every other renewal cycle.”OAR 851-031-0008(2)
  3. OAR 851-031-0008 — Competency Requirements (verbatim, effective January 1, 2026)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-24
    Show verbatim text
    “Starting January 1, 2028, all renewal applicants must complete the required CE hours for their license type before submitting their renewal application: (a) LPN or RN applicants, 20 hours within two years;”OAR 851-031-0008(3)(a) · Effective 2028-01-01

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 Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), 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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