Virginia Board of Nursing · CRNA

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

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from VBN~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 12, 2026

Mandatory topics

Virginia has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 0-hour total.

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 CME[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 CME[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

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Virginia 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
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

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

No formal waivers or exemptions are published for Virginia.

FAQ
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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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. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Virginia Board of Nursing, 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 medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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