Ohio Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements

Ohio registered nurse licenses are regulated by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN). Ohio joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) effective January 1, 2023.

At a Glance

Detail	Information
Regulatory Body	Ohio Board of Nursing
Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years
RN/APRN Renewal	Odd-numbered years (July 1 – October 31)
LPN Renewal	Even-numbered years
CE Hours Required	24 contact hours
Early Renewal Fee	$65 (single-state) / $75 (multistate)
Late Processing Fee	$50 additional (after September 15)
Compact State (NLC)	Yes (since January 2023)
Online Renewal	Yes — Ohio eLicense portal

Continuing Education Requirements

RN and LPN — 24 Contact Hours Every 2 Years

• 24 contact hours of approved CE per renewal cycle
• 1 hour must be Category A: CE directly related to the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and Ohio Board of Nursing rules. Must be approved by the OBN, an OBN approver (e.g., Ohio Nurses Association), or offered by an approved provider headquartered in Ohio.
• CE window: November 1 of the prior odd-numbered year through October 31 of the current odd-numbered year
• First renewal after passing NCLEX: exempt from CE
• Endorsed nurses licensed within 1 year of renewal: only 12 contact hours required
• ANCC-accredited courses accepted

APRN — 24 Additional Hours

• 24 hours of CE per APRN license (in addition to the 24 RN hours)
• CNP/CNS/CNM: at least 12 of the 24 hours must be in advanced pharmacology

Ohio-Specific Notes

• Compact state since 2023. Single-state Ohio license holders can convert to a multistate license through the eLicense portal ($100 one-time conversion fee). New applicants may receive multistate automatically if eligible.
• Odd-year renewal for RN/APRN. Renewal window is July 1 through October 31 of odd-numbered years.
• Two-tier fee structure. Renew by September 15 for the $65 base fee. After September 15, a $50 late processing fee is added (total $115).
• October 31 hard deadline. If you don't renew by October 31, your license lapses on November 1. You cannot practice and must apply for reinstatement.
• Category A is unique to Ohio. This 1-hour requirement covers Ohio-specific nursing law and rules — it's not satisfied by general CE courses unless they're from an OBN approver or Ohio-headquartered provider.
• Self-attestation with audit. You attest to CE completion at renewal. Retain documentation for a minimum of 6 years. If audited, you must respond within 60 days.
• Inactive option available. You may request inactive status if not planning to practice.
• The Board may withhold renewals if aware of pending issues (criminal charges, unpaid fines, etc.).

How to Renew

1. Complete 24 contact hours of CE (including 1 hour Category A)
2. Log in to the Ohio eLicense portal (elicense.ohio.gov)
3. Complete the renewal application
4. Pay the renewal fee ($65 before September 15, or $115 after)
5. Retain CE documentation for at least 6 years

Fees

Fee Type	Amount
RN Renewal (by Sept 15)	$65 + $3.50 transaction fee
RN Renewal (Sept 16–Oct 31)	$115 + $3.50 transaction fee
Multistate License Renewal	$75 + $3.50 transaction fee
Multistate Conversion (one-time)	$100
APRN Renewal (by Sept 15)	$135 + $3.50 transaction fee
APRN Renewal (Sept 16–Oct 31)	$185 + $3.50 transaction fee

Contact Information

Ohio Board of Nursing

• Website: nursing.ohio.gov
• eLicense Portal: elicense.ohio.gov
• Email: board@nursing.ohio.gov
• Phone: (614) 466-3947
• Fax: (614) 466-0388
• Address: 17 South High Street, Suite 660, Columbus, OH 43215-3466

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

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