Nursing (RN)ND
North Dakota Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements
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North Dakota Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements
North Dakota registered nurse licenses are regulated by the North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON). North Dakota is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Body | North Dakota Board of Nursing |
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years |
| Expiration | December 31 (even-numbered years for RN) |
| CE Hours Required | 12 contact hours |
| Practice Requirement | 400 hours in preceding 4 years |
| Renewal Fee | $140 (RN); $130 (LPN) |
| Late Fee | $130 additional |
| Compact State (NLC) | Yes (eNLC member) |
| Online Renewal | Yes — Nurse Portal (mandatory) |
Continuing Education Requirements
RN and LPN — 12 Contact Hours Every 2 Years
- 12 contact hours of approved CE per renewal cycle — one of the lowest state requirements in the US
- CE must be from approved providers (nationally/internationally accredited, health care regulatory boards, or accredited college coursework)
- CE hours do NOT carry over from one renewal period to another
- First renewal after initial licensure by exam: No CE required (academic coursework satisfies requirement)
- APRN with Prescriptive Authority: 15 contact hours in pharmacotherapy (fulfills RN CE requirement)
Practice Requirement
- 400 hours of nursing practice in the preceding 4 years
- Exceptions: completed nursing program in last 4 years, or completed a Board-approved refresher course within the preceding year
North Dakota-Specific Notes
- Compact state. Multistate licenses are automatically issued to those claiming ND as primary state of residence who meet Uniform Licensure Requirements.
- December 31 expiration. RN licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years.
- $50 per hour penalty for late CE. CE completed after December 31 in the renewal year is assessed $50 per contact hour (e.g., $600 for all 12 hours done late).
- Late renewal fee: $130 additional for renewals received in January.
- Audit-based compliance. You only submit CE documentation if selected for audit. Retain records for at least 4 years.
- Failure to provide CE if audited may result in sanctions ($500 LPN reprimand / $600 RN reprimand).
- Online renewal only through the Nurse Portal. Allow 3-5 business days for updated expiration to display.
- No hard copy licenses mailed. View/print license information through the Verify section of the NDBON website.
- CE from other professions not accepted. Hours practiced or CE earned for another regulated profession cannot be used for nursing licensure.
- Refresher course CE can count for first renewal cycle after reactivation.
How to Renew
- Complete 12 contact hours of approved CE before December 31
- Verify you have met the 400-hour practice requirement
- Log in to the Nurse Portal
- Complete the online renewal application
- Pay the $140 renewal fee (RN)
- Retain CE documentation for at least 4 years
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| RN Renewal | $140 |
| LPN Renewal | $130 |
| Late Renewal (January) | Double the renewal fee |
| Late CE Penalty | $50 per contact hour |
| Endorsement Application | $160 (initial) |
Contact Information
North Dakota Board of Nursing
- Website: ndbon.org
- Renewal Info: ndbon.org — Nursing Renewal
- Renewal FAQs: ndbon.org — Nurse Renewal FAQ
- Nurse Portal: ndbon.org (login)
- Address: PO Box 730, Bismarck, ND 58502-0730
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday
This page is for informational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify current requirements with the North Dakota Board of Nursing before renewing. Last reviewed March 2026.
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