Virginia Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
Virginia uses a continued competency model that offers registered nurses nine pathways to satisfy biennial renewal requirements. The two most common options are completing 30 contact hours of CE relevant to nursing, or combining 15 contact hours with 640 hours of active nursing practice. No specific mandatory topics are required under any pathway.
Other accepted pathways include maintaining current national specialty certification, completing at least 3 credit hours of post-licensure academic education at a regionally accredited institution, finishing a Board-approved refresher course, conducting a nursing-related evidence-based practice project or research study, publishing as author or co-author, or teaching/developing nursing or CE courses.
First-time renewals after initial licensure are exempt from all continuing competency requirements. Virginia also grants extensions of up to 1 year for good cause (with 60-day advance written request) and exemptions for circumstances beyond the nurse's control, including disability, military service, and declared disasters. Licenses expire at the end of the nurse's birth month every two years.
First Renewal vs. Standard Renewal
Exemptions
- First Renewal Exemption — Exempt from continued competency requirements for first renewal following initial licensure.
- Good Cause Extension — Up to 1-year extension with 60-day written request for good cause.
- Circumstances Beyond Control — Exemption for circumstances beyond control including disability, military service, and declared disasters.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Virginia CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Virginia that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — No carry-over provision found in available sources. Virginia uses a competency-based system with multiple pathways rather than strictly hour-based CE.
- Virginia uses a 'continued competency' model with 9 different pathways to meet the requirement, not just CE hours.
- Dual-licensed RN/LPNs meet requirements once for both licenses.
- RNs with nurse practitioner licenses follow different (NP-specific) standards.
- All licensees must maintain original documentation of completion for 2 years following renewal.
- Must provide documentation within 30 days of a board request for proof of compliance.
- Licenses expire at the end of the nurse's birth month every two years.
Provider Requirements
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), state nurses associations, National League for Nursing (NLN), regionally accredited universities, health care facilities, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, state boards of nursing.
Tips for Virginia RNs
- If you hold a national specialty certification, it satisfies Virginia's competency requirement on its own — no additional CE hours needed.
- Dual-licensed RN/LPNs only need to meet competency requirements once for both licenses. Don't duplicate your efforts.
- Maintain original documentation of CE completion for at least 2 years after renewal. The Board can request proof within 30 days.
- If you need extra time, request a good-cause extension in writing at least 60 days before your license expires. Up to 1 year of additional time may be granted.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Virginia Board of 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.