Connecticut Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements

Connecticut registered nurse licenses are regulated by the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing, under the Department of Public Health. Connecticut signed the NLC into law in May 2024, but full compact implementation is still in progress.

At a Glance

Detail	Information
Regulatory Body	Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (DPH)
Renewal Cycle	Every 1 year (annual, during birth month)
CE Hours Required	2 contact hours every 6 years (RN/LPN); 50 hours every 2 years (APRN)
Renewal Fee	Check DPH website for current fees (~$180 initial)
Compact State (NLC)	Signed into law May 2024; implementation pending
Online Renewal	Yes — Connecticut eLicense system

Continuing Education Requirements

RN and LPN

Connecticut has one of the lightest CE requirements in the country for RNs and LPNs:

• 2 contact hours every 6 years on the following topics:
  • 1 hour: Screening for PTSD, risk of suicide, depression, and grief
  • 1 hour: Suicide prevention training
• This requirement began January 1, 2022 and repeats every 6 years
• No other CE hours are mandated for general RN/LPN renewal
• 1 contact hour = at least 50 minutes of instruction
• Online courses are accepted with no limitations

APRN (Advanced Practice)

APRNs have significantly more requirements — 50 contact hours every 2 years, including at least 1 hour in each of:

• Pharmacotherapeutics (at least 5 hours total)
• Infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS)
• Risk management
• Sexual assault
• Domestic violence
• Cultural competency
• Substance abuse (including controlled substance prescribing and pain management)
• Mental health conditions common to veterans and family members (2 hours, every 6 years, since 2016)
• Alzheimer's disease, dementia, delirium, and geriatric depression (2 hours, every 6 years, optional since 2020)

Connecticut-Specific Notes

• Annual renewal. Connecticut renews nursing licenses every year during your birth month — more frequent than the biennial cycle used by most states. Plan accordingly.
• NLC status in transition. Connecticut signed the NLC into law on May 30, 2024. The legislation takes effect October 1, 2025, but full implementation (including issuing multistate licenses) is still in progress. Until implementation is complete, Connecticut licenses are single-state only.
• Self-attestation at renewal. You attest to CE compliance during renewal. You do not submit certificates but must retain them for at least 3 years and produce them within 45 days if requested for audit.
• No background check required for renewal (though some employers may require one).
• Renewal notices are sent approximately 60 days before expiration, with a follow-up 30 days after expiration if no renewal application is received.
• First renewal CE exemption: If your first renewal occurs within 1 year of initial licensure, you may be exempt from CE. If it's over 1 year, you may need to complete 12 hours of CE.

How to Renew

1. Complete required CE (2 hours on PTSD/suicide screening if due in current 6-year cycle)
2. Log in to the Connecticut eLicense system
3. Complete the online renewal application
4. Pay the renewal fee
5. Retain CE documentation for at least 3 years

Fees

Fee Type	Amount
RN Initial Application	$180
RN Renewal	Check DPH for current fees
NCLEX Registration	$200 (Pearson VUE)

Contact Information

Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing

• Website: portal.ct.gov/dph — Board of Examiners for Nursing
• CE Info: portal.ct.gov/dph — Continuing Education
• Phone: (860) 509-7603
• Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13PHO, Hartford, CT 06134

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This page is for informational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify current requirements with the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing before renewing. Last reviewed March 2026.

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