Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) · RN

20 hours. Every two years. Tied to your birth month.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from TBN(~6 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 20 hours is the total CME requirement. Texas also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 20-hour total.

Human trafficking[1]
Hrs vary
Biennial
All RNs providing direct patient care must complete a human trafficking prevention course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Required effective September 1, 2020. No minimum hours specified; course must be HHSC-approved.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Nurses providing direct patient care must complete a human trafficking prevention course approved by the Health and Human Services Commission (effective September 1, 2020).”
22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(i)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Legal / risk[1]
2 hrs
Custom
2 CE hours covering nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics are required before the end of every THIRD two-year licensing period (i.e., once every 6 years), applicable to licensing periods that began on or after January 1, 2014. Content must include the Texas Nursing Practice Act, Board rules, position statements, ethics principles, and professional boundaries.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“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)See 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.

ConditionalGeneral CME[2]
0 hrs
Biennial

RNs renewing their Texas license for the first time after initial licensure are exempt from the CE requirement

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Your first renewal does not require any continuing education hours. All subsequent renewals require 20 hours of continuing education.”
22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(a)See source [2] in Primary Sources
ConditionalGeriatric medicine[1]
2 hrs
Biennial

Nurses serving geriatric patient populations

View detailsEditorial summary
Nurses serving geriatric populations must complete 2 CE hours relating to older adult care per renewal period. Per 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(h).
22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(h)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

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 systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
CE from Board-approved programs in the nurse's area of practice accepted. 20 contact hours per renewal period required.Source22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(a)
Board-approved credit
Board-approved national nursing certification in the nurse's area of practice may be used in lieu of CE contact hours. Nurses who achieve, maintain, or renew a Board-approved certification during the licensing period satisfy the CE requirement without accumulating 20 hours.Source22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(a)
Documentation & audit

Texas RN licenses expire biennially in the nurse's birth month. Even-birth-year nurses expire in even years; odd-birth-year nurses expire in odd years.

Waivers & exemptions

First renewal after initial licensure — no CE required

National nursing certification alternative — RNs may demonstrate achievement, maintenance, or renewal of a Board-approved national nursing certification in their area of practice in lieu of 20 CE hours

FAQ
What counts as CE for Texas RN renewal?
Continuing nursing education (CNE) must be from Board-approved programs in the nurse's area of practice. The most common qualifying CE comes from ANCC-accredited providers, national nursing organizations, and accredited academic programs offering nursing-related coursework. The human trafficking prevention course must be specifically approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), which maintains an approved provider list. The nursing jurisprudence and ethics course must address the Texas Nursing Practice Act, TBON rules and position statements, principles of nursing ethics, and professional boundaries.
Is Texas part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
Yes. Texas is an NLC compact member, meaning eligible Texas RNs hold a multistate license that authorizes nursing practice in all other NLC member states. CE and renewal obligations are governed by the nurse's home state. Texas nurses residing in Texas renew with TBON and must complete 20 CE hours per biennial cycle (or the certification alternative) beginning with the second renewal. Nurses can verify their Texas license status and renewal date through the Texas Nurse Portal at the TBON website.
Is there a nursing ethics or jurisprudence CE requirement in Texas?
Yes. Under 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(g), every Texas nurse must complete 2 contact hours of CE relating to nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics before the end of every third two-year licensing period — approximately once every six years. This applies to licensing periods that began on or after January 1, 2014. The CE must address the Texas Nursing Practice Act, TBON rules and position statements, professional ethics principles, and professional boundaries. These 2 hours count toward the nurse's general 20-hour biennial CE total during the period when they are due.
Where can I renew my Texas RN license?
Texas RNs renew their licenses online through the Texas Nurse Portal, accessible at https://www.bon.texas.gov. Nurses must have a Texas Nurse Portal account to access and submit renewal applications. TBON's main website is https://www.bon.texas.gov. Renewal is due biennially in the nurse's birth month, and RNs should complete CE requirements before the renewal date rather than waiting until the license has expired.

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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. 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3 — Continuing Competency Requirements
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Nurses providing direct patient care must complete a human trafficking prevention course approved by the Health and Human Services Commission (effective September 1, 2020).”22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(i) · Effective 2020-09-01
    “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
  2. Texas Board of Nursing — Licensure Renewal Page
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Your first renewal does not require any continuing education hours. All subsequent renewals require 20 hours of continuing education.”22 Tex. Admin. Code § 216.3(a)

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 Texas Board of Nursing (TBON), 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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