Wisconsin Board of Nursing · RN

0 hours. Every two years. On a fixed renewal cycle.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from WBN~5 min read

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

Mandatory topics

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

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Wisconsin 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
Custom

RNs whose license has been expired for more than 5 years must meet additional requirements to renew

View detailsEditorial summary
Under Wis. Admin. Code N 2.40(3), RNs renewing after more than 5 years must either document employment requiring a nursing license within the last 5 years OR complete a board-approved nursing refresher course or education equivalent. No CE hour total is specified for this pathway.
Wis. Admin. Code N 2.40(3)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Wisconsin 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
No CE requirement exists for standard RN renewal — this field is informational only. If a RN seeks CE voluntarily or for the lapsed-license pathway, ANCC-accredited CE would qualify.SourceWis. Admin. Code N 2.40
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

Wisconsin imposes no continuing education requirement for standard biennial RN renewal

Military service members: Wisconsin Act 210 allows service members to request waiver or extension of continuing education requirements due to hardship (though no standard CE is required for RNs)

FAQ
What are the reinstatement requirements for a lapsed Wisconsin RN license?
For licenses lapsed more than five years, Wis. Admin. Code N 2.40(3) requires either documentation of employment that required a nursing license within the last five years, or completion of a board-approved nursing refresher course or equivalent education. Additionally, the nurse must pay the renewal fee, workforce survey fee, and late renewal fee, and complete the nursing workforce survey. This reentry requirement is separate from the standard biennial renewal — it is not a CE hour requirement but a broader competency assessment for nurses who have been away from practice for an extended period.
Is Wisconsin in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
No. Wisconsin is not an NLC compact member as of 2026. All nurses practicing in Wisconsin must hold a separate, Wisconsin-issued nursing license regardless of any compact license they may hold in another state. Wisconsin nurses who wish to practice in other states must obtain individual licensure in each state where they intend to practice. Wisconsin DSPS administers all Wisconsin nursing licenses at https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/RN/Default.aspx.
If Wisconsin has no RN CE requirement, why should I track CE at all?
While the Wisconsin Board of Nursing does not require CE for standard RN renewal, CE is still relevant for Wisconsin nurses for several reasons. Many healthcare employers and hospital systems require nurses to complete a certain number of CE hours annually as a condition of employment. National specialty certifications (ANCC, AACN, etc.) require CE for renewal and have their own hour minimums independent of state board requirements. Professional organizations often recommend or require CE for membership or designation maintenance. Atlas CME helps Wisconsin nurses track CE for these parallel purposes even in the absence of a state mandate.
Where can I renew my Wisconsin RN license?
Wisconsin RNs renew their licenses through the DSPS online portal at https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/RN/Default.aspx. Renewal requires payment of the renewal fee and nursing workforce survey fee, plus completing the nursing workforce survey online. Wisconsin licenses expire February 28 of even-numbered years. DSPS can be reached by phone at (608) 266-2112 or (877) 617-1565 for renewal questions.

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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. Wisconsin Administrative Code N 2.40 — Renewal
    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 Wisconsin 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's medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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