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

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

Suicide prevention[1]
0.5 hrs
Biennial
All Utah RNs must complete at least one of three DOPL-approved online suicide prevention training modules per renewal period. Each module is 0.5 CE credit and counts toward the overall CE total. Options: 'Suicide Safety Planning with Patients,' 'Talking to Patients About Suicide,' or 'Counseling on Access to Lethal Means.'
View sourceVerbatim from source
“In addition to the practice hour/CE options above, 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 RN Renewal Page / R156-31b-303See 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]
15 hrs
Biennial

RNs who have completed fewer than 400 hours of licensed practice in the preceding two years but at least 200 hours may satisfy renewal with 200 hours practice plus 15 CE contact hours

View detailsEditorial summary
200+ practice hours + 15 CE hours satisfies renewal. The suicide prevention training (0.5 CE) counts toward these 15 hours.
Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-303See source [2] 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
CE approved by a nationally or internationally recognized approver of professional continuing education for health-related industries accepted. ANCC-accredited CE qualifies. One contact hour equals 60 minutes and may include a ten-minute break.SourceUtah Admin. Code R156-31b-303
Board-approved credit
Nursing education courses offered by approved education programs and CE approved by nationally recognized approvers also accepted.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

Practice hours pathway: 400+ hours of licensed practice in the two years preceding renewal satisfies the biennial requirement with no CE required

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

FAQ
Is Utah's suicide prevention training required for all RNs?
Yes. The DOPL renewal page requires all renewing RNs — regardless of which of the three renewal pathways they use — to complete at least one DOPL-approved online suicide prevention training module per renewal period. Three modules are available: "Suicide Safety Planning with Patients," "Talking to Patients About Suicide," and "Counseling on Access to Lethal Means." Each carries 0.5 CE credit, which counts toward the CE requirement in the 15-hour and 30-hour pathways.
Is Utah in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
Yes. Utah is an NLC compact member, and eligible Utah RNs hold a multistate license authorizing practice in all NLC member states. CE and renewal obligations are governed by the nurse's home state. Utah nurses residing in Utah renew with DOPL under Utah's biennial three-pathway renewal structure, with licenses expiring January 31 of odd years. Nurses can verify their Utah license status through DOPL's licensing portal at https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/nursing/.
What happens if a Utah RN chooses the 400-hour practice pathway — is any CE required?
Under the 400-hour practice pathway, no CE contact hours are required for renewal other than the mandatory suicide prevention training (0.5 credit). A nurse who can document 400 or more hours of licensed practice during the two years preceding the renewal application satisfies the competency requirement through practice hours alone. The 0.5-credit suicide prevention module is still required and must be completed regardless of the pathway chosen. Documentation of practice hours should be retained in case of a DOPL audit.
Where can I check my Utah RN license renewal date?
Utah RNs can look up their license status and renewal date through the Utah DOPL licensing portal at https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/nursing/. The DOPL renewal page for RNs is at https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/nursing/renew-a-license/registered-nurse-or-licensed-practice-nurse/. All Utah RN licenses expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years, so the next renewal year can typically be anticipated from the license issuance date.

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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 — RN/LPN Renewal Page
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “In addition to the practice hour/CE options above, 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 RN Renewal Page / R156-31b-303
  2. 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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