Below is exactly what Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026
For NPs, 20 hours is the total CME requirement. Texas also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 20-hour total.
“Each nurse, including an APRN, is required to complete at least two contact hours of CNE relating to nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics before the end of every third two-year licensing period applicable to licensing periods that began on or after January 1, 2014.”
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.
APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete an additional 5 CE hours in pharmacotherapeutics per renewal period, stacked on top of the base 20-hour requirement
“APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete, in addition to the requirements of [subsection (b)], at least five additional contact hours of continuing education in pharmacotherapeutics within the licensing period.”
APRNs who have entered into a prescriptive authority agreement authorizing the prescribing of opioids
“APRNs who have entered into a prescriptive authority agreement authorizing the prescribing of opioids must complete two (2) contact hours annually (4 contact hours every licensing period) regarding the safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances.”
APRNs authorized to receive Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) information who were licensed prior to September 1, 2020
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Texas 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 | ANCC-accredited CE from providers in the APRN's area of practice accepted for base and pharmacotherapeutics CE hours.Source22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(b) and (c) |
Board-approved credit | Board-approved national nursing certification (ANCC, AANPCB, NCC, PNCB, etc.) may satisfy the base 20-hour requirement. Pharmacotherapeutics CE still required separately for prescriptive authority holders.Source22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(b) |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
First renewal after initial APRN licensure — no CE required
National nursing certification alternative — APRNs may demonstrate achievement, maintenance, or renewal of a Board-approved national nursing certification in lieu of 20 base CE hours
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your birth month 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.
“Each nurse, including an APRN, is required to complete at least two contact hours of CNE relating to nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics before the end of every third two-year licensing period applicable to licensing periods that began on or after January 1, 2014.”22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(g) · Effective 2014-01-01
“APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete, in addition to the requirements of [subsection (b)], at least five additional contact hours of continuing education in pharmacotherapeutics within the licensing period.”22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(c)
“APRNs who have entered into a prescriptive authority agreement authorizing the prescribing of opioids must complete two (2) contact hours annually (4 contact hours every licensing period) regarding the safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances.”22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(c)