Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Nursing (OPR) · RN

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

Below is exactly what Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Nursing (OPR) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from VOPR—N(~5 min read

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

Mandatory topics

Vermont has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 20-hour total.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Vermont cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Vermont 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
Qualifying continuing education means education approved and assigned a credit value by an organization approved by the ANCC Commission on Accreditation, or by another verifying authority approved by the Board, or directly by the Board.SourceCode of Vermont Rules 04-030-170, Section 4.8
Board-approved credit
CE approved by another verifying authority approved by the Vermont OPR/Board of Nursing also accepted.SourceCode of Vermont Rules 04-030-170, Section 4.8
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 nursing practice in the two years preceding application (or 960 hours in five years) satisfies renewal without CE

National certification pathway: holding a current nationally recognized certification satisfies renewal without CE

FAQ
What counts as qualifying CE for Vermont RN renewal?
Qualifying continuing education under Section 4.8 must be approved and assigned a credit value by an organization approved by the ANCC Commission on Accreditation, by another verifying authority approved by the Vermont OPR/Board of Nursing, or directly by the Board. ANCC-accredited CE providers, national nursing organizations, and accredited academic programs offering nursing-related CE generally qualify. Vermont does not publish a separate approved-provider list beyond this ANCC-anchored definition. Nurses should verify that their chosen CE provider meets at least one of the enumerated criteria before relying on it for renewal.
Is Vermont in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
Yes. Vermont is an NLC compact member, and eligible Vermont RNs hold a multistate license authorizing nursing practice in all NLC member states. CE and renewal obligations are governed by the nurse's home state. Vermont nurses residing in Vermont renew with the OPR under Vermont's three-pathway biennial renewal structure. The OPR administers Vermont nursing licensure through the Secretary of State's office, accessible at https://sos.vermont.gov/nursing/.
Are there mandatory CE topics for Vermont RN renewal?
No. Section 4.8 of Vermont's Administrative Rules of the Board of Nursing does not identify any universal mandatory CE topic requirements for the general RN population. Vermont nurses using the CE pathway have full flexibility in selecting topics relevant to their practice area, provided the CE is from an ANCC-approved or Board-approved provider. There are no mandated hours in pharmacology, abuse reporting, opioids, or other specific subject areas for standard RN renewal in Vermont.
Where can I check my Vermont RN license renewal date?
Vermont RNs can access licensing information through the Vermont Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation at https://sos.vermont.gov/nursing/. The apply and renew portal is at https://sos.vermont.gov/nursing/apply-renew/. Nurses should note that the OPR website has experienced access issues — if the page is temporarily unavailable, nurses can contact the OPR directly through the Secretary of State's office for renewal deadline information.

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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 Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Nursing (OPR), 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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