Connecticut Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 2 Hours Every 6 Years
Requirements Overview
Connecticut's CE requirement for registered nurses is minimal compared to most states. RNs must complete just 2 contact hours on PTSD, suicide risk, depression and grief screening, and suicide prevention — and this obligation recurs only once every 6 years. The requirement took effect for renewals after January 1, 2022.
Despite this light CE load, the license itself renews annually by the last day of the nurse's birth month, with a renewal fee of approximately $110. CE compliance is attested during the online renewal process through the Connecticut eLicense portal.
Courses must come from recognized providers such as ANCC-accredited organizations, the Connecticut Nurses Association, accredited educational institutions, or specialty nursing societies. Nurses must retain CE records for at least 3 years and produce them within 45 days if requested by the Department of Public Health.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTSD, Suicide Risk, Depression & Grief Screening and Suicide Prevention | 2 | Every 3rd renewal | Screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and suicide prevention training. Required once every 6 years (license renews annually, so effectively every 6th renewal). One contact hour equals at least 50 minutes of instruction. |
How You Can Complete Your CE
Connecticut CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Connecticut that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — Not specified. The CE requirement is only 2 hours every 6 years.
- Connecticut's CE requirement is minimal: only 2 contact hours every 6 years, focused solely on PTSD/suicide screening and prevention.
- License renews annually (not on the 6-year CE cycle). CE compliance is attested during online renewal.
- Nurses must retain CE records for a minimum of 3 years and submit within 45 days if requested by the department.
- The CE requirement took effect for renewals after January 1, 2022.
- Renewal is processed online through the Connecticut e-License portal (elicense.ct.gov).
Provider Requirements
Courses must be offered by providers recognized by ANCC, International Association for Continuing Education and Training, Connecticut Nurses Association, accredited educational institutions, government agencies, teaching hospitals, Connecticut Hospital Association, The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce (CCNW), specialty nursing societies or equivalent organizations, state or local health departments.
Tips for Connecticut RNs
- Don't confuse the annual license renewal with the 6-year CE cycle. You renew your license every year, but you only need to complete 2 CE hours once every 6 years.
- Complete your 2-hour PTSD/suicide screening course early in the 6-year cycle so you don't have to think about it again for years.
- Keep your CE certificate on file for at least 3 years. The Department of Public Health can request proof, and you have only 45 days to respond.
- If you also hold licenses in other states, be aware that Connecticut's 2 hours will almost certainly not satisfy other states' requirements.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Board of Examiners for Nursing'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.