Colorado Nursing CE Requirements (2026): No Mandatory CE Hours
Requirements Overview
Colorado is one of a handful of states with no state-mandated CE requirement for registered nurses. The biennial renewal process through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) requires only payment of the renewal fee (approximately $108) and completion of renewal paperwork.
While the state does not mandate CE, individual employers — particularly hospitals and large health systems — often require their nursing staff to complete continuing education as a condition of employment. These employer-imposed requirements vary widely and are separate from state licensure.
Nurses who have been inactive for two or more years must demonstrate continued competency, typically by completing a Board-recognized refresher course, before returning to active practice. Colorado is also a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, meaning multistate license holders must meet the requirements of their home state.
Renewal Pathways
Colorado CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Colorado that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — Not applicable. Colorado does not require CE for RN license renewal.
- Colorado does not require CE for RN license renewal. Employers may impose their own CE requirements.
- Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state.
- Inactive and retired licenses must still be renewed each cycle.
- Nurses inactive for 2+ years must demonstrate continued competency through a refresher course.
Provider Requirements
Not applicable. Colorado does not require CE for RN license renewal. Employers may have their own CE requirements.
Tips for Colorado RNs
- Even though Colorado has no state CE requirement, check with your employer — most hospitals and health systems mandate annual training hours.
- If you hold a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact, your CE obligations are based on your home state's rules, not the state where you practice.
- Plan ahead if you take a career break. Returning after 2+ years of inactivity requires a Board-recognized refresher course, which can take weeks to complete.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO)'s official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Mar 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.