Virginia Board of Nursing · CRNA

Virginia CE Requirements for CRNAs

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from VBN

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated May 12, 2026

These figures are compiled from official board materials — confirm current requirements with the Virginia Board of Nursing

Mandatory topics

No topic requirement applies to all CRNAs in Virginia. The conditional requirements below apply when the trigger described on each card is met.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Virginia 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.

ConditionalGeneral[1]
Hrs vary
Biennial

APRNs (including CRNAs) initially licensed on or after May 8, 2002 must hold current professional certification in their specialty area for biennial renewal. For CRNAs, that means active NBCRNA certification — there is no CE-hour alternative for this cohort.

View sourceVerbatim from source
“In order to renew a license biennially, an advanced practice registered nurse initially licensed on or after May 8, 2002, shall hold current professional certification in the area of specialty practice”
18 VAC 90-30-105(A)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalGeneral[1]
40 hrs
Biennial

APRNs initially licensed before May 8, 2002, or APRNs whose specialty certification has been retired by the certifying agency, must either hold current professional certification OR complete at least 40 hours of continuing education in the specialty practice area approved by a certifying agency or ACCME.

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Complete at least 40 hours of continuing education in the area of specialty practice approved by one of the certifying agencies”
18 VAC 90-30-105(B)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalPharmacology[2]
Hrs vary

CRNAs may prescribe Schedule II-VI controlled substances and devices to patients requiring anesthesia, as part of the periprocedural care, without a separate practice agreement.

View sourceVerbatim from source
“CRNAs have the authority to prescribe Schedule II through Schedule VI controlled substances and devices as set forth in Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) to a patient requiring anesthesia, as part of the periprocedural care of such patient.”
VA Code § 54.1-2957See source [2] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Virginia Board of Nursing accepts NBCRNA Class A and NBCRNA Class B toward the CE requirement for CRNAs.

Credit systemNotes
NBCRNA Class A
NBCRNA Class A credits accepted toward VA CE. Active NBCRNA certification alone can satisfy VA APRN renewal.Sourcehttps://www.nbcrna.com/continued-certification[3]
NBCRNA Class B
NBCRNA Class B credits accepted toward VA CE.Sourcehttps://www.nbcrna.com/continued-certification[3]
Documentation & audit

CRNAs are responsible for retaining CE documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.

Waivers & exemptions

The Boards of Nursing and Medicine may grant an extension or exemption from all or part of the continuing-competency requirements for circumstances beyond the licensee's control, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

FAQ
Which board licenses CRNAs in Virginia?
Virginia uses a joint-licensure model: the Virginia Board of Nursing and the Virginia Board of Medicine jointly license CRNAs as nurse practitioners with CRNA specialty designation, under VA Code § 54.1-2957 and 18 VAC 90-30.
How many state-level CE hours do Virginia CRNAs need?
For CRNAs initially licensed on or after May 8, 2002 (which is virtually every currently practicing Virginia CRNA), 18 VAC 90-30-105(A) requires only that the CRNA hold current NBCRNA national certification — there is no CE-hour alternative or supplemental state CE total. The 40-hour CE pathway in subsection (B) is reserved for APRNs initially licensed before May 8, 2002 or those whose specialty certification has been retired by the certifying agency.
Does Virginia require NBCRNA certification for CRNA licensure?
Yes. Initial joint VA licensure as a CRNA requires NBCRNA certification, and active NBCRNA certification satisfies the APRN renewal alternative.
Is Virginia part of the APRN Compact?
No, VA has not enacted the APRN Compact as of April 2026. VA is, however, a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for the underlying RN license.
Where can I check my Virginia CRNA license renewal date?
Use the VA DHP license lookup at https://dhp.virginiainteractive.org/Lookup/Index or contact the Virginia Board of Nursing or Board of Medicine directly.

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Other roles in Virginia

CE requirements for CRNAs in other states

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. 18 VAC 90-30-105 — APRN Continuing Competency
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “In order to renew a license biennially, an advanced practice registered nurse initially licensed on or after May 8, 2002, shall hold current professional certification in the area of specialty practice”18 VAC 90-30-105(A)
    “Complete at least 40 hours of continuing education in the area of specialty practice approved by one of the certifying agencies”18 VAC 90-30-105(B)
  2. VA Board of Nursing — APRN Practitioner Resources
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “CRNAs have the authority to prescribe Schedule II through Schedule VI controlled substances and devices as set forth in Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) to a patient requiring anesthesia, as part of the periprocedural care of such patient.”VA Code § 54.1-2957
  3. NBCRNA — Continued Certification
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CE requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Virginia Board of Nursing, or any other state licensing board, licensing authority, or professional organization. CRNAs are solely responsible for verifying their own current CE requirements directly with their state licensing board before relying on any information presented here.

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