Virginia Board of Nursing (VABON) · NP

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

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from VBN(~6 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For NPs, 8 hours is the total CME requirement. Virginia also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 8-hour total.

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
“A nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority shall obtain a total of eight hours of continuing education in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics for each biennium.”
18VAC90-40-55See 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]
40 hrs
Biennial

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

View detailsEditorial summary
(1) hold current specialty certification from approved agencies, OR (2) complete at least 40 hours of CE in specialty practice approved by designated certifying agencies or ACCME Category I CME courses. This grandfathered alternative is not available to APRNs licensed after May 8, 2002.
18VAC90-30-105.BSee 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
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

First renewal after initial APRN licensure — no continued competency requirement

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

FAQ
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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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. Virginia Board of Nursing — Prescriptive Authority Continued Competency
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “A nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority shall obtain a total of eight hours of continuing education in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics for each biennium.”18VAC90-40-55
  2. Virginia Board of Nursing — APRN Continued Competency
    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 Virginia Board of Nursing (VABON), 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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