Oregon Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements
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Oregon Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements
Oregon registered nurse licenses are regulated by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN). Oregon is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Oregon's renewal system is practice-hours-based rather than traditional CE-hours-based, with specific mandatory topic requirements.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Body | Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) |
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years |
| Expiration | Birthday (odd/even year based on birth year) |
| Primary Requirement | 400 practice hours in past 2 years |
| Mandatory CE Topics | Pain management (1 hr) + Cultural competency (2 hrs) |
| Renewal Fee | $145 |
| Delinquent Fee | $100 additional |
| Compact State (NLC) | No |
| Online Renewal | Yes — OSBN License Portal |
Renewal Requirements
Practice Hours (Primary Pathway)
- 400 hours of nursing practice within the 2 years immediately preceding renewal
If You Don't Have 400 Hours
- 600 hours in past 3 years + 20 hours documented CE, OR
- 800 hours in past 4 years + 30 hours documented CE, OR
- Less than 960 hours in past 5 years → must complete a re-entry program
Mandatory CE Topics (All Renewals)
- 1 hour Oregon Pain Management Commission (OPMC) module — required every renewal
- 2 hours cultural competency — required every renewal
- One-time 6 hours pain management at initial licensure (in addition to the OPMC module)
- Suicide prevention course — required
Oregon-Specific Notes
- Not a compact state. Oregon-specific license required to practice in the state. Neighboring states (ID, WA) are compact but Oregon is not.
- Practice-based, not CE-based. Oregon's primary renewal requirement is practice hours, not CE hours. CE is only required if you fall below the 400-hour threshold.
- Birthday-based expiration. License expires at midnight on your birthday. Odd/even birth year determines renewal year.
- No grace period. $100 delinquent fee applies for applications submitted even one day past expiration.
- OSBN does not use the term "CEU." Oregon uses "continuing education" (CE) and "contact hours."
- Employer-required CE does not count toward the CE hours required for nurses without sufficient practice hours.
- APRN renewal: Must maintain 400+ APRN practice hours (RN hours don't count toward APRN) plus national certification or 45 CE hours. 15 CE hours must be in pharmacotherapeutics for NPs.
- Retain CE documentation for at least 5 years.
- $9 surcharge for Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund on all renewals.
How to Renew
- Verify you have 400 nursing practice hours in the past 2 years
- Complete the OPMC pain management module (1 hour)
- Complete 2 hours of cultural competency CE
- Log in to the OSBN License Portal
- Complete the online renewal application
- Pay the $145 renewal fee (+ $9 surcharge)
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| RN/LPN Renewal | $145 |
| Nursing Advancement Fund Surcharge | $9 |
| Delinquent Fee (late) | $100 additional |
Contact Information
Oregon State Board of Nursing
- Website: oregon.gov/osbn
- License Portal: osbn.oregon.gov
- Phone: (971) 673-0685
- Pain Management CE: oregon.gov/osbn — Pain Management
- Cultural Competency: oregon.gov/osbn — Cultural Competency
This page is for informational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify current requirements with the Oregon State Board of Nursing before renewing. Last reviewed March 2026.
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