Pennsylvania Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements

Pennsylvania registered nurse licenses are regulated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, under the Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA). Pennsylvania joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) effective July 7, 2025.

At a Glance

Detail	Information
Regulatory Body	PA State Board of Nursing (Dept. of State)
Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years
Expiration	Assigned date (April 30 or October 31)
CE Hours Required	30 contact hours (RN)
Mandatory CE	2 hours child abuse recognition and reporting
Renewal Fee	$122 (RN); $76 (LPN)
Compact State (NLC)	Yes (eNLC member since July 2025)
Online Renewal	Yes — PALS portal

Continuing Education Requirements

RN — 30 Contact Hours Every 2 Years

• 30 contact hours of Board-approved CE per renewal cycle
• 2 hours child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31) — mandatory every renewal. Must be from a PA Department of State-approved provider who electronically reports completion to BPOA.
• 2 hours organ donation education — one-time requirement within 5 years (beginning May 1, 2026)
• First renewal after initial licensure: exempt from 30-hour CE (but must complete Act 31)
• CE does not need to be ANCC-accredited — Board-approved CE from accredited hospitals, health care facilities, and approved providers is accepted

LPN — Minimal CE

• 2 hours child abuse recognition and reporting only (no general CE requirement)

Pennsylvania-Specific Notes

• Compact state since July 2025. Existing PA licenses are single-state — you must apply specifically for a multistate license. Compact status does not eliminate the renewal requirement.
• Assigned expiration dates. PA assigns one of four expiration dates (not birth month). Check your specific date in PALS.
• Act 31 is critical. The Board will NOT renew your license unless the BPOA has received electronic confirmation from an approved Act 31 provider. Electronic submission can take up to 7 days — don't complete this at the last minute.
• LPNs only need 2 hours. Unlike RNs, LPNs in PA only need the Act 31 child abuse training for renewal.
• Address changes must be reported within 14 days.
• Retain CE documentation for at least 5 years (6 years recommended).
• CE waivers available for hardship — must be requested in writing 90+ days before expiration.
• Processing time: Board can take up to 3 days to renew; paper license mailed in 10-14 business days.
• Renewal notice sent by mail before expiration, but not receiving it doesn't excuse late renewal.

How to Renew

1. Complete 30 contact hours of Board-approved CE
2. Complete 2-hour Act 31 child abuse recognition and reporting (approved provider must report electronically)
3. Log in to the PALS portal (pals.pa.gov)
4. Complete the renewal application and attestations
5. Pay the $122 renewal fee
6. Retain all CE documentation for at least 5 years

Fees

Fee Type	Amount
RN Renewal	$122
LPN Renewal	$76
Initial Licensure (PA graduate)	$95
Endorsement	$120

Contact Information

Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing

• Website: pa.gov — Board of Nursing
• PALS Portal: pals.pa.gov
• Phone: 1-833-367-2472
• Address: P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

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

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