Virginia Board of Nursing (VABON) · NP

Virginia CE Requirements for Nurse Practitioners

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from VABON

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated July 3, 2026

Mandatory topics

Virginia names specific topics that NPs must cover, and each one is listed below.

Pharmacology[1]
8 hrs
Biennial
Virginia NPs with prescriptive authority must complete 8 CE hours in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics per biennium under 18VAC90-40-55. Content must address ethical practice, appropriate standard of care, patient safety, and appropriate communication with patients. Documentation must be retained for 4 years.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“An advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority shall obtain a total of eight hours of continuing education in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics for each biennium in addition to the minimal requirements for compliance with subsection B of ”
18VAC90-40-55(B)See 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[2]
40 hrs
Biennial

APRNs licensed before May 8, 2002, who do not hold current specialty certification may use the CE alternative

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 designated in ”
18VAC90-30-105.BSee source [2] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Virginia Board of Nursing (VABON) accepts ANCC Contact Hour toward the CE requirement for NPs, along with other credit it approves.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
ANCC certification and ANCC-accredited CE accepted for both the national certification requirement and the pharmacology CE hours under 18VAC90-40-55.Source18VAC90-30-105 / 18VAC90-40-55
Board-approved credit
For the 40-hour CE alternative (pre-2002 licensees): CE approved by designated certifying agencies or ACCME Category I CME courses accepted. For pharmacology CE: courses from recognized nursing CE providers addressing pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics.Source18VAC90-30-105.B / 18VAC90-40-55
Documentation & audit

Documentation must be retained for 4 years following the renewal period. Random audits; documentation must be produced within 30 days of board notification.

Waivers & exemptions

Board may grant extension for good cause or exemption for circumstances beyond licensee control

FAQ
Do Virginia NPs need separate CE from RNs?
Virginia NPs who hold an active NP license are not separately subject to the nine-option RN continued competency requirements under 18VAC90-19-160 — 18VAC90-19-160(C) explicitly exempts them. Instead, Virginia NPs are governed exclusively by 18VAC90-30-105 (APRN certification requirement) and, for those with prescriptive authority, 18VAC90-40-55 (8 pharmacology CE hours per biennium). The result is that Virginia NPs face one specific CE obligation — the 8 pharmacology hours — rather than the broader nine-option RN framework, simplifying the renewal tracking requirement.
Does Virginia require pharmacology CE for NPs with prescriptive authority?
Yes. Under 18VAC90-40-55, Virginia NPs with prescriptive authority must complete 8 CE hours in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics for each biennium. The CE content must address ethical practice, standard of care, patient safety, and patient communication. These 8 hours are required regardless of whether the NP satisfies the base APRN requirement through national certification — the two requirements are independent obligations. Documentation must be retained for four years and produced within 30 days of board request during a random audit.
Is Virginia in the APRN Compact?
No. Virginia is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), which governs the underlying RN license layer, but Virginia 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. Virginia NPs who wish to practice as APRNs in other states must obtain individual APRN credentials in each additional state.
Does Virginia require NPs to maintain national certification for APRN renewal?
Yes, for APRNs licensed after May 8, 2002. Under 18VAC90-30-105, current professional certification in the APRN's specialty area from a designated certifying agency is the primary continued competency requirement. National certifications from ANCC, AANPCB, NCC, PNCB, and other recognized bodies accepted by the Board qualify. The certification must be current and active at the time of renewal. APRNs licensed before May 8, 2002, have the option of using 40 CE hours in specialty practice as a grandfathered alternative to certification.
Where can I check my Virginia NP/APRN license renewal date?
Virginia NPs can verify their license status and renewal date through the Virginia Department of Health Professions online portal at https://www.dhp.virginia.gov. The Virginia Board of Nursing's APRN continued competency resources are at https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/PractitionerResources/ContinuedCompetency/AdvancedPracticeRegisteredNurse/. Nurses can also contact the DHP directly for renewal date information and documentation requirements.

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Other roles in Virginia

CE requirements for Nurse Practitioners 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. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency90/chapter40/section55/
    Source
    Show verbatim text
    “An advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority shall obtain a total of eight hours of continuing education in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics for each biennium in addition to the minimal requirements for compliance with subsection B of ”18VAC90-40-55(B)
  2. 18VAC90-30-105 — Continued Competency Requirements for APRN Renewal
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Complete at least 40 hours of continuing education in the area of specialty practice approved by one of the certifying agencies designated in ”18VAC90-30-105.B

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 (VABON), or any other state licensing board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Nurse practitioners 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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