Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Nursing (DOPL) · NP

0 hours. Every two years. On a fixed renewal cycle.

Below is exactly what Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Nursing (DOPL) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from UDPL—N(~6 min read

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

Mandatory topics

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

Suicide prevention[1]
0.5 hrs
Biennial
All Utah APRNs must complete at least one DOPL-approved online suicide prevention training module per renewal period (0.5 CE credit). Options: 'Suicide Safety Planning with Patients,' 'Talking to Patients About Suicide,' or 'Counseling on Access to Lethal Means.'
View sourceVerbatim from source
“In addition, you must complete at least ONE of the following online suicide prevention trainings (these qualify for CE credit): Suicide Safety Planning with Patients (0.5 credit), Talking to Patients About Suicide (0.5 credit), Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (0.5 credit)”
Utah DOPL APRN Renewal Page / R156-31b-303See source [1] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Utah 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.

ConditionalOpioid / controlled substances[2]
4 hrs
Biennial

APRNs authorized to prescribe controlled substances must complete 4 CE hours in controlled substance prescribing per renewal period

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Completed at least 4 hours of approved continuing education in controlled substance prescribing per license renewal period, including: 3.5 hours of approved controlled substance education AND .5 hours from DOPL's online controlled substance tutorial.”
Utah DOPL APRN Controlled Substance Renewal Page / R156-31b-303See source [2] in Primary Sources
ConditionalGeneral CME[3]
30 hrs
Biennial

APRNs licensed prior to July 1, 1992 who do not hold current specialty certification may use the grandfathered renewal pathway

View detailsEditorial summary
Grandfathered pathway for pre-July 1, 1992 APRN licensees only: 400 practice hours plus 30 CE hours satisfies renewal in lieu of current national certification. This pathway is not available to APRNs licensed after July 1, 1992.
Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-303See source [3] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Utah 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
ANCC-accredited CE accepted. National certification (ANCC, AANPCB, NCC, PNCB, etc.) is the primary renewal requirement for APRNs licensed after July 1, 1992.SourceUtah Admin. Code R156-31b-303
Board-approved credit
CE from nationally recognized approvers of professional continuing education accepted for controlled substance CE hours. DOPL's online tutorial is required for the 0.5-hour CS component.SourceUtah Admin. Code R156-31b-303
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

Licenses expired for more than 2 years are not eligible for standard renewal

FAQ
Does Utah require pharmacology CE for NPs with prescriptive authority?
Utah does not require pharmacology CE per se, but it does require 4 CE hours in controlled substance prescribing for APRNs who hold controlled substance prescribing authority. The 4-hour requirement breaks down as 3.5 hours of approved controlled substance education and 0.5 hours from DOPL's own online controlled substance tutorial. This requirement applies per APRN biennial renewal period and is in addition to — not part of — the national certification renewal that satisfies the base APRN requirement. Utah APRNs have independent prescriptive authority without a physician collaborative agreement requirement.
Is Utah in the APRN Compact?
No. Utah is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), which governs the underlying RN license, but Utah is not a member of the APRN Compact as of 2026. The APRN Compact is a separate multi-state agreement for advanced practice nurses with more limited membership. Utah NPs who wish to practice as APRNs in other states must obtain individual APRN credentials in each additional state. The NLC membership covers only the RN license layer.
Does Utah require NPs to maintain national certification for APRN renewal?
Yes, for all APRNs licensed after July 1, 1992. Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-303 requires that APRNs must be currently certified or re-certified in their specialty area as the primary renewal condition. DOPL accepts certification from ANCC, AANPCB, NCC, PNCB, NBCRNA, and other recognized national certifying bodies appropriate to the APRN's specialty. APRNs should track their national certification renewal timeline separately from the Utah APRN renewal cycle (January 31 of even years) to ensure both are current. A grandfathered pathway exists for APRNs licensed before July 1, 1992, who may alternatively document 400 practice hours plus 30 CE hours.
Where can I check my Utah NP/APRN license renewal date?
Utah APRNs can verify their license status through the Utah DOPL nursing portal at https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/nursing/. The APRN-specific renewal page is at https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/nursing/renew-a-license/advanced-practical-registered-nurse/. Utah APRN licenses expire January 31 of even-numbered years. For APRNs with controlled substance authority, the renewal requirements page is at https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/nursing/renew-a-license/advanced-practical-registered-nurse-with-controlled-substance/.

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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. Utah DOPL — APRN Renewal Page
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “In addition, you must complete at least ONE of the following online suicide prevention trainings (these qualify for CE credit): Suicide Safety Planning with Patients (0.5 credit), Talking to Patients About Suicide (0.5 credit), Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (0.5 credit)”Utah DOPL APRN Renewal Page / R156-31b-303
  2. Utah DOPL — APRN with Controlled Substance Renewal Page
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Completed at least 4 hours of approved continuing education in controlled substance prescribing per license renewal period, including: 3.5 hours of approved controlled substance education AND .5 hours from DOPL's online controlled substance tutorial.”Utah DOPL APRN Controlled Substance Renewal Page / R156-31b-303
  3. Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-303 — LPN, RN, and APRN License Renewal and Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23

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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Nursing (DOPL), 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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