LPN Continuing Education Units

What Are Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

Continuing education units, or CEUs, are credits designed for licensed professionals such as attorneys, certified public accountants, physicians, and financial advisors. LPNs also need them for maintaining and renewing state licensure. The number of CEUs required for LPN license renewal varies by state.

CEUs come in various formats like articles, webinars, videos, classes, seminars, and more. Industry professionals create and teach these courses, and each state’s nursing board must review and approve them.

After completing a CEU course, LPNs often need to provide feedback through surveys, discussing what they liked, disliked, and suggesting improvements. The CEU educator must submit these surveys to maintain credentialing privileges. Some courses may also require a quiz to ensure understanding of the material.

In states with CEU requirements, LPNs may need them in specific areas like pain management or infectious diseases, depending on the state. Some states accept nursing employment hours, projects, or other activities instead of CEUs.

Each CEU is equivalent to 10 hours of participation in the subject it covers. LPNs are responsible for knowing their state’s CEU requirements.

Who Is Required to Complete CEUs?

Most licensed professionals, including LPNs, are required to complete CEUs for license renewal. However, some states don’t have CEU requirements.

In nursing, LPNs, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners may need to complete CEUs if mandated by their state.

Where Do I Go for LPN CEUs?

Online platforms are a convenient place to find CEUs. Some websites offer free courses, while others charge per activity or provide subscription services.

Subscription fees can range from $29 to $99 per year, granting access to unlimited CEUs on various topics and specialties.

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Certain certifications like ACLS, BLS, and PALS are generally accepted for CEU credits by nursing state boards. These certifications may also be required for specific nursing employment.

Hospitals are often a good resource for LPNs to find CEUs. Nurse Educators within hospitals can guide LPNs to websites or local activities for nursing education. Some employers even pay for hours worked during relevant classes.

After completing a CEU course, LPNs receive a Certificate of Completion. It’s advisable to keep a digital copy and create a file to organize all certifications. Physical copies should also be stored securely.

Ensure that the CEU is accredited for your state of licensure before completing it, as not all CEUs are accepted in every state.

How Many CEUs Does My State Require for License Renewal?

CEU requirements vary widely by state. Some states don’t require any CEUs for license renewal, while others may combine CEUs with nursing employment or offer alternative options like projects, national certifications, or academic courses.

LPN CEU Requirements by State

Here is a simplified list of CEU requirements for LPNs by state. Please consult your state board of nursing for detailed information:

Alabama: 24 CEUs every 2 years
Alaska: 30 CEUs OR 30 hours of professional nurse activities OR 320 hours of nursing employment every 2 years
Arizona: Not required
Arkansas: 15 CEUs OR certification or recertification by a national certification board OR completion of an academic nursing course every 2 years
California: 30 CEUs every 2 years
Colorado: Not required
Connecticut: Not required
Delaware: 24 CEUs every 2 years
District of Columbia: 18 CEUs every 2 years
Florida: 24 CEUs every 2 years
Georgia: 20 CEUs annually
Hawaii: Not required
Idaho: Not required
Illinois: 20 CEUs every 2 years
Indiana: Not required
Iowa: 24 CEUs OR 36 CEUs, depending on the length of time the LPN has been licensed
Kansas: 30 CEUs every 2 years
Kentucky: 14 CEUs annually
Louisiana: From 5 to 15 CEUs annually based on employment status
Maine: Not required
Maryland: Not required
Massachusetts: 15 CEUs every 2 years
Michigan: 25 CEUs every 2 years
Minnesota: 12 CEUs every 2 years
Mississippi: Not required
Missouri: Not required
Montana: 24 CEUs by December 31 annually
Nebraska: 20 CEUs every 2 years
Nevada: 30 CEUs every 2 years
New Hampshire: 30 CEUs every 2 years
New Jersey: 30 CEUs every 2 years
New Mexico: 30 CEUs every 2 years
New York: 3 CEUs in the subject of infection control every 4 years
North Carolina: 30 CEUs OR national certification or recertification OR completion of a board-approved nursing refresher course OR 2 semesters of academic nursing education
Or alternatively: 15 CEUs AND completion of nursing project meeting board specified guidelines or authoring nursing-related piece of writing or developing a nursing CEU course OR 640 nursing employment hours
North Dakota: 0-12 CEUs annually depending on method of licensure
Ohio: 24 CEUs every 2 years
Oklahoma: 24 CEUs every 2 years
Oregon: a one-time 7 CEU pain management course is required then no additional CEUs are required for renewal
Pennsylvania: Not required
Rhode Island: 10 CEUs every 2 years
South Carolina: 30 CEUs OR national certification or recertification OR completion of an academic nursing program OR verification of employment hours every 2 years
South Dakota: Not required
Tennessee: Not required, however the LPN must demonstrate nursing competency by being employed as a nurse within the last 5 years
Texas: 20 CEUs every 2 years within the LPNs area of practice
Utah: 30 CEUs OR 200 practice hours and 15 CEUs OR 400 practice hours every 2 years
Vermont: Not required
Virginia: Certification in the LPNs specialty by national organization OR completion of 3 academic credit hours in nursing OR board-approved refresher course in nursing OR completion of nursing research study or publication OR teaching a nursing educational course OR teaching a CEU course OR 15 contact hours in nursing workshops, seminars, conferences or courses and 640 hours of nursing employment OR 30 contact hours in nursing workshops, seminars, conferences or course
Washington: 45 CEUs and 531 nursing employment hours
West Virginia: 24 CEUs and 400 nursing employment hours
Wisconsin: Not required
Wyoming: 20 CEUs every 2 years OR 1600 nursing employment hours within 5 years OR 500 nursing employment within 2 years OR passing NCLEX within 5 years OR national certification within last 5 years OR completion of nursing refresher program within last 5 years
Puerto Rico: 21 CEUs every licensing period
US Virgin Islands: 15 CEUs OR 15 contact hours of nursing activities OR 320 nursing employment hours

What Happens If I Don’t Complete the Required CEUs for License Renewal?

States have diverse guidelines for license renewal, including the completion of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within specified periods.

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In California, for instance, applicants may undergo random audits during the online renewal process. Selected nurses must enter details of completed CEUs. The randomness adds uncertainty for nurses, making it crucial to complete CEUs even without immediate audit notification.

Other states may demand copies of CEU Certification of Completion during renewal, while some might audit nurses through letters requesting proof of completed CEUs.

It’s advisable to avoid being caught in a board of nursing audit without fulfilling license requirements. Failure may lead to license suspension until the completion of CEUs, hindering work and potentially impacting professional reputation.

How Long Does it Take to Complete LPN CEUs?

The time required for CEUs varies based on the activity. Courses offering more credits generally demand more time.

Online courses often involve reading nursing materials on a specific topic, followed by a short quiz. If a nurse answers enough questions correctly, they pass the course and receive a Certificate of Completion.

Some providers offer booklets with nursing articles for around $29.95. After reading the materials and completing short surveys, nurses can earn 30 CEUs.

Classes like Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) typically span two 8-hour days. Basic Life Support (BLS) classes are usually condensed into a single 8-hour day.