The Ultimate Guide to Renewing Your Nursing License with Continuing Education Online

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One of the most stressful times in a nursing career can be when you renew your nursing license. One small error or a missed credit can be the difference between legally working and scrambling to fix an expired license. But while everyone faces this obligation, the process is about much more than simply maintaining your employment status.

The continuing education credits required for renewals allow nurses to maintain their skills, incorporate new research and the latest best practices into their work, and build their careers with electives and specialized training. Most states require nurses to take 20-30 hours of CE, and it’s the most time-consuming and variable part of the process.

Fortunately, online coursework offers high-quality content that nurses can access anytime from their laptop, tablet, or phone. The best online CE providers also offer state bundles that include all required courses, as well as unlimited nursing CE subscriptions with 24/7 access to their entire course library.

How can you make the most of online CE options for your next renewal? Great question. Here’s our ultimate guide to renewing your nursing license the easy way with online continuing education.

Nursing CE Requirements by State

Every state mandates the number of credits nurses are required to get to renew their licenses. These are typically broken down into required credits and electives, and they vary by year depending on state nursing board decisions and new legal mandates.

There are also additional renewal challenges to consider depending on the nature of your work. Through the Nurse Licensure Compact, nurses in 42 participating states can get a multistate license that is valid in all of them. Travel nurses and telehealth workers may need to get individual licenses for each state they practice in.

It can be complicated and overwhelming, especially for new nurses.

Fortunately, the top online providers offer CE bundles that are specific to each state’s requirements. They give nurses instant access to all the CE credits they’ll need for renewal, and they automatically register with CE Broker upon completion. That way, there will be no mistakes or uncertainty in the filing process that can trip you up as a deadline is approaching.

Will This Course Give Me Valid Credits for My Renewal?

While online bundles can take care of your nursing license requirements in one shot, many nurses prefer to do a mix of contact hours, live classes, and online work. If you have an unlimited CE subscription, you can easily pick the credits you need, or you can also buy them individually.

However, just because a course is listed as being “for nurses” and offers you a certificate does not mean it will fulfill your requirements.

When education is associated with contact hours or credits, that means the content has met the highest standard of preparation and guarantees it was created according to the latest standards of best practices in nursing care. To be valid in every state, courses must be accredited by organizations like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or state boards of nursing. They can also be approved by state boards, and these certifications should be listed on the description.

Finding the Best CE Courses for Nurses

In addition to speed and convenience, online CE can make your renewal easier by offering a range of different formats and accessibility options. Award-winning providers have leveraged the following features to create courses that are easy to navigate and digest with a range of content options and assessments, including:

• Take-home resources. Many courses offer downloadable content that is instantly available upon purchase.
• Audio-only options. This allows nurses to get the information they need in a range of environments, as well as support professionals with disabilities.
• Built-in assessments. A final test at the end is automatically graded, and it can be taken again and again until it’s passed. Also, the best CE leverages periodic knowledge checks to build retention throughout the course.
• Video content. Video content of expert insights delivers in-depth instruction and engaging variety.
• Frequent updates. Research is happening all the time, and the top providers update courses to keep pace and consistently expand their CE library to meet new standards.
• Awards and industry recognition. Some providers have won awards for their content from industry regulators and evaluation bodies.

Balancing Out In-Person CE with Online Credits

Seminars, conferences, and in-person classes are still a good source of continuing education. They offer nurses a chance to network, get hands-on experience, and balance out their time and money. If you are able to take time off work, you can often sit through multiple sessions on a variety of topics and get a bunch of credits at once in a few days.

However, when it comes to continuing education to renew your nursing license, seminars and conferences aren’t always the most reliable learning opportunities. The agendas and educational content of seminars and conferences are often established long before the actual event, but are not publicized until the event approaches.

There is also no guarantee that these topics will satisfy the criteria identified by the state for continuing education in the context of renewing your nursing license. If the content is not accredited or approved by a local board, your state won’t accept it.

In contrast, the CE credits you get through an online provider are easy to match with state requirements. That gives you the flexibility to pick and choose how to balance your live CE credits as well as quickly fill in any gaps they don’t provide. Online coursework is also extremely affordable and doesn’t require you to upend your schedule or burn your paid days off to complete.

Online CE is now also accredited to cover areas like PALS, BLS, and ACLS training that have traditionally been updated through in-person training. These certifications and recertifications are highly effective and supported by a range of digital resources that develop your lifesaving skills.

Digital Record Keeping

When renewing your nursing license, some states will want proof of completion, while others will offer you an opportunity to attest to having completed the required education. However, even the states that allow you to attest can always audit you for compliance at any time following renewal. If they do, you’ll need proof.

As you would imagine, one of the challenges with completing continuing education between license renewals is keeping track of what you did, when you did it, and where you put copies of those completion certificates.

Digital record keeping and automatic logging with entities like CE Broker means nurses never have to worry about lost paperwork or audit questions.

Common Mistakes When Renewing Your Nursing License

We all make mistakes, but making them when renewing your nursing license can bring your career to an immediate—and expensive—halt. There are often late fees, quick deadlines, and extra requirements if you let your license lapse.

Here are some common mistakes you should avoid to keep your renewal on track.

Missing the Deadline

Renewing your nursing license after the deadline has passed may impact your ability to work. While some states like Colorado have a grace period, many others consider a license lapsed at midnight on the deadline day.

It’s also important to know that some states have deadlines related to CE completion that may differ from when your application needs to be submitted. Nurses operating in multiple states will need to be especially vigilant about tracking each deadline carefully.

Incomplete CE Hours

States will identify the topics and the number of hours they require for each, and some represent federal requirements. Do not attempt to renew your nursing license by submitting fewer hours than are required. CE requirements are not flexible. If a course covers more than one topic, make sure you know exactly how many hours or credits are attributed to each one.

The easiest way to ensure you have all the credits you need is by investing in a state bundle that includes accredited and state board-approved courses. That way, you’ll never have to wonder if your work is complete, submitted, and meets your obligations.

Old Contact Information

If you’ve moved since your last renewal, or phone numbers or emails have changed, make sure the state entity responsible for licensure has updated contact information. Many states communicate via mail or email that renewal dates are approaching. This may serve as a great reminder that you need to start planning for renewal, but if you miss it, you may find yourself in a bind.

Withholding Information

When renewing, many states ask questions related to criminal convictions and disciplinary actions that may have occurred since your last renewal. It may be tempting to leave this information out for fear of consequences, but don’t do that.

Admitting to such does not guarantee you’ll have a problem, but withholding this information or answering dishonestly can lead to denial, disciplinary action, or even severe legal consequences.

Renewal Tips

Now that we’ve covered what not to do when renewing your nursing license, let’s take a look at a few tips to support your success.

Plan Ahead

Resist the urge to wait until the last minute to renew your nursing license. If you start the renewal process well ahead of expiration time, you’ll avoid unnecessary stress and complications. Each state will identify when you can start the renewal application, but you don’t need to wait to get some CE out of the way.

If you have access to an unlimited nursing CE subscription, you’ll always have all the courses you need at your fingertips and will have much greater flexibility for scheduling and planning your renewal process.

Stay Organized

If you’re not into the digital record-keeping mentioned before, consider creating a filing system for important documents related to your nursing license and renewal. You might want to include renewal notices and continuing education credit completion certificates. Remember, even if you attest to having completed the education, you may someday need to show proof.

If you do your CE online, every credit you get online will be automatically logged and stored for you, so there’s no question where to look if there’s an issue.

Set Reminders

Life is busy, especially when you’re working 12-hour shifts like most nurses. Consider setting electronic reminders for upcoming renewal deadlines. Digital reminders on phones or online calendars can be lifesavers when you’re running yourself ragged.

Many healthcare organizations also offer reminders on approaching expirations. Hospitals can’t allow nurses to work without a valid license, and they don’t want to be caught short on staff. There’s an incentive for them to remind you as well, so pay attention.

Stay Informed

Things can change from one renewal period to another. Required education topics and the number of hours may be updated, and you don’t want to be caught unaware. Subscribing to a state email list serve or participating in professional organizations could help you stay updated.

And when in doubt, you can always check with your state nursing board to find out the requirements that will apply to your renewal.

What if Your Nursing License Expires?

If you make a mistake and your nursing license expires, it’s not the end of the world! Unless you have confirmed that your state has identified a grace period, do not attempt to work. Practicing as a nurse without a valid nursing license is a serious offense, and it’s often accompanied by criminal penalties.

The first thing you want to do is jump online to review your state board of nursing’s website or get on the phone with someone in that office. If a grace period isn’t possible, an expedited renewal may be, but you’ll likely be paying additional fees. It truly depends on the rules and processes identified by your state.

Regardless, if you’re lacking coursework, online CE is your first, best option. You can quickly find credits that will fill the gaps, take them as soon as your schedule allows, and have the confidence to know they’re logged with an online broker.

Renew Your Nursing License Online With Premiere

Renewals can be stressful, especially if you’ve got an extremely busy schedule. Premiere is committed to ensuring that nursing professionals always have instant access to all the online continuing education they need. We offer complete CE bundles by state, an Unlimited Nursing CE Subscription, and a wide range of award-winning courses that cover required topics, vital certifications, specialties, and mandated training.

All of Premiere’s courses are created by industry experts and help you renew your nursing license with engaging content on a timeline that works for you.

Nursing License Renewal Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have a compact nursing license?

Nurses working under a compact license should prioritize maintaining their license in their home state. Renewing your license in your Primary State of Residence (PSOR) is required to renew your compact license.

Will a criminal conviction prevent me from renewing my nursing license?

Not necessarily. If identified on your renewal application, many states decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not criminal conviction(s) will disqualify you from being licensed as a nurse.

What if I need to change my name?

Most states have a name change application, similar to changing your address. You will likely need to submit supporting documentation, such as a marriage certificate or court record.

I’m not currently working as an RN. Can I still renew?

Depending on the state you live in, the answer is most likely “yes”, but there may be some caveats. Florida, for example, offers an “inactive” status for nurses not working that can subsequently be reactivated should they resume practice.