A Registered Nurse (RN) license is not permanent and expires on a set schedule, requiring consistent renewal to maintain the legal ability to practice. Licensing for all nurses is regulated at the state level, with each State Board of Nursing (BON) establishing specific rules and timelines for maintaining an active license. This regulatory structure is in place to protect the public by ensuring practicing nurses continually demonstrate ongoing competency and adhere to professional standards. Failing to meet state requirements by the expiration date results in a loss of authorization to work as an RN.
The Standard RN License Renewal Cycle
The frequency and timing of the RN license renewal cycle are determined by the State Board of Nursing (BON) that issued the license. The most common interval across the United States is every two years, though some states utilize a one-year, three-year, or four-year cycle. The specific deadline often aligns with a fixed date for all licensees or is tied to the individual nurse’s birth month or birthday.
Nurses must actively track the expiration date of their license, as this schedule dictates when all renewal requirements must be met. While BONs typically send renewal notices via mail or email several months before the deadline, the responsibility for timely submission rests solely with the licensee.
Key Requirements for Successful Renewal
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Most state boards require RNs to complete a specific number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or contact hours during the renewal cycle to demonstrate continued professional development. The required number varies widely; many states require a minimum of 20 to 30 contact hours every two years, while some jurisdictions require none. A contact hour represents 50 to 60 minutes of instruction, and one CEU is generally equivalent to 10 contact hours.
Some states mandate that a portion of these hours be dedicated to specific subjects, such as pain management, implicit bias training, or ethics, reflecting current public health priorities. Boards may also allow alternative methods to satisfy the competency requirement, such as documenting a minimum number of practice hours, maintaining national nursing certification, or completing an approved academic course. RNs must ensure their chosen CE provider is recognized by the State Board of Nursing for the hours to be accepted.
Renewal Application and Fees
Renewal involves submitting an application and paying the required fee to the State Board of Nursing before the license expiration date. This process is generally completed electronically through the board’s online portal. The application requires the nurse to attest to completing all mandated continuing education hours and often includes a series of questions regarding any criminal history or disciplinary actions taken since the last renewal.
The nurse must maintain current and accurate contact information with the BON, including their home address and email. Failure to receive renewal reminders due to outdated information does not excuse a late or lapsed license. The timely submission of the application formally initiates the review process for the issuance of a new, active license.
Understanding License Lapse and Inactive Status
If a nurse fails to complete the renewal process—including the application, fees, and continuing education—by the expiration date, the license enters a lapsed status, which some states call delinquent. A lapsed license is legally expired, and the nurse is no longer authorized to practice as an RN in that jurisdiction. Working with a lapsed license constitutes practicing without a license and can result in significant legal and disciplinary consequences from the State Board of Nursing.
Inactive status is a voluntary designation for nurses intending to step away from practice temporarily. A nurse can renew to inactive status by paying a fee but without meeting the continuing education requirements. Although an inactive license maintains the nurse’s credential, the nurse cannot legally engage in any activity requiring an active RN license. Reactivating the license typically involves fulfilling the missed continuing education requirements.
Steps to Reinstate an Expired License
Bringing a lapsed license back to active status is known as reinstatement, a process that is typically more complex and expensive than a standard renewal. The initial step for any nurse with an expired license is to contact the State Board of Nursing to determine the exact requirements, as these are dependent on the length of time the license has been lapsed. Reinstatement usually requires the payment of a higher fee, which often includes the standard renewal fee plus a late penalty.
The nurse must also provide proof of completing all continuing education requirements that would have been due during the period of the lapse, which can mean accumulating a substantial number of contact hours. If the license has been expired for an extended period, such as five years or more, the board may require remedial steps to ensure the nurse’s clinical knowledge is current. The detailed reinstatement application requires a thorough review by the board before the license is returned to active status.
Remedial Requirements
Completing a formal nursing refresher course.
Demonstrating recent active practice in another jurisdiction.
Retaking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Expiration and the Nurse Licensure Compact
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows a nurse to hold a single multi-state license, granting the privilege to practice in all NLC member states. This multi-state privilege depends entirely on the status of the license issued by the nurse’s Primary State of Residence (PSOR). The PSOR is the state where the nurse holds legal residency, and the license issued by that state’s board is the one that conveys the multi-state privilege.
If the RN fails to renew their PSOR license by the expiration date, the license lapses, and the multi-state privilege to practice in all other NLC states is immediately terminated. The nurse loses the ability to practice in all compact jurisdictions until the PSOR license is officially reinstated to active status. The reinstatement process must be completed through the PSOR’s State Board of Nursing, as the status of the single license controls the nurse’s authorization to practice across all compact states.