Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (PABON) · RN

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

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from PSBN(~5 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 30 hours is the total CME requirement. Pennsylvania also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 30-hour total.

Abuse Reporting[1]
2 hrs
Biennial
2 of the 30 CE hours must be in Board-approved CE on child abuse recognition and reporting requirements, per Act 31 of 2014. Required at every biennial renewal. The 2 hours are part of the 30-hour total, not additive. Exception: first renewal after initial licensure requires child abuse education but the standard 30-hour CE requirement does not apply (see exemptions).
View sourceVerbatim from source
“complete 30 hours of continuing education approved by the Board during the biennial renewal period immediately preceding the application for renewal, including at least 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements.”
49 Pa. Code § 21.131(a) / Act 31 of 2014See source [1] in Primary Sources
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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.

ConditionalAbuse Reporting[1]
2 hrs
Biennial

RNs applying for their first renewal after initial licensure

View sourceVerbatim from source
“An applicant applying for initial licensure in this Commonwealth will not be required to meet the continuing education requirement on the first renewal immediately following licensure, except for the mandatory continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting.”
49 Pa. Code § 21.131(b)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalGeneral CME[2]
2 hrs
Custom

RNs who obtained licensure prior to May 1, 2026 (one-time organ and tissue donation education)

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Beginning May 1, 2026, all RNs must complete 2 hours of organ donation and tissue recovery education one time within 5 years”
49 Pa. Code § 21.131(a.1)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Pennsylvania 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
Board-approved CE from approved providers. Pennsylvania requires Board-approved CE from Board-approved sources.Source49 Pa. Code §§ 21.132-21.134
Board-approved credit
CE from PABON-approved providers and approved sources per 49 Pa. Code § 21.134. CE hours may not carry over from one biennial renewal period to the next per 49 Pa. Code § 21.131(f).Source49 Pa. Code § 21.134
Documentation & audit

Documentation retention: 5 years per 49 Pa. Code § 21.131(c).

Waivers & exemptions

First renewal after initial licensure: standard 30-hour CE not required; only 2-hour child abuse CE required

Hardship waiver available for serious illness, military service, or demonstrated hardship

FAQ
What is the child abuse CE requirement for Pennsylvania RNs?
Under Act 31 of 2014 and 49 Pa. Code § 21.131(a), Pennsylvania RNs must complete at least 2 hours of Board-approved CE on child abuse recognition and reporting at every biennial renewal. These 2 hours are part of the 30-hour total — they do not add to the requirement. Pennsylvania RNs are mandatory reporters for suspected child abuse, and the CE requirement ensures ongoing awareness of recognition and reporting obligations. Board-approved Act 31 training programs are available from Pennsylvania-approved CE providers.
What is the new organ and tissue donation CE requirement for Pennsylvania RNs?
Effective May 1, 2026, 49 Pa. Code § 21.131(a.1) requires all Pennsylvania RNs who obtained licensure before May 1, 2026, to complete 2 hours of Board-approved CE in organ and tissue donation and recovery process as a one-time obligation within five years of their licensure or reactivation. These 2 hours count toward the biennial 30-hour total. RNs licensed after May 1, 2026, face the same 5-year window from their licensure date. This is a one-time requirement — it does not recur at each biennial renewal after being satisfied.
Is Pennsylvania in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
No. Pennsylvania is not an NLC compact member. Every nurse practicing in Pennsylvania must hold a separately issued Pennsylvania nursing license. Compact multistate licenses issued by other states do not authorize practice in Pennsylvania. Nurses relocating to Pennsylvania must apply for Pennsylvania licensure through PABON.
Where can I check my Pennsylvania RN license renewal date?
Pennsylvania RNs can access renewal information through the PABON renewal information page at https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing/renewal-information.html. For license verification and renewal status, PABON can be reached at 1-833-DOS-BPOA (1-833-367-2762) or ST-NURSE@pa.gov.

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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. 49 Pa. Code § 21.131 — Continuing Education (RN)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “complete 30 hours of continuing education approved by the Board during the biennial renewal period immediately preceding the application for renewal, including at least 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements.”49 Pa. Code § 21.131(a) / Act 31 of 2014
    “An applicant applying for initial licensure in this Commonwealth will not be required to meet the continuing education requirement on the first renewal immediately following licensure, except for the mandatory continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting.”49 Pa. Code § 21.131(b)
  2. Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing — Renewal Information
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Beginning May 1, 2026, all RNs must complete 2 hours of organ donation and tissue recovery education one time within 5 years”49 Pa. Code § 21.131(a.1) · Effective 2026-05-01

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 Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (PABON), 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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