Navigating CE Requirements for RNs in Virginia

What are the Virginia RN license renewal requirements? 

If you’re looking for Virginia RN license renewal requirements, here’s the simplest checklist: 

• Renew on time, by the last day of your birth month in your renewal year (odd/even year rule). 
• Renew every two years. Virginia RNs renew on a biennial schedule. 
• Meet continued competency. Complete one approved continued competency option during your renewal cycle (often CE/contact hours, but not only). 
• Pay the renewal fee. The RN renewal fee is $140 (and there are additional fees if you renew late). 
• Declare your primary state of residence. This matters for compact/multistate privileges.  

This page is meant to be practical and nurse-friendly, so you can renew without worry. 

How often do I need to complete the Virginia RN license renewal? 

Virginia RN license renewal happens every two years.  

A quick reminder: Even though it’s a two-year cycle, your deadline isn’t “two years from the last time you renewed” in the way some states do it. Virginia ties your renewal deadline to your birth month and your birth year (odd/even), so your timing can feel different if you were first licensed close to your renewal year. 

When is my Virginia RN license renewal due (odd year vs even year)? 

Virginia sets RN renewal deadlines like this: 

• If your birth date is in an even-numbered year, you renew by the last day of your birth month in even-numbered years.
• If your birth date is in an odd-numbered year, you renew by the last day of your birth month in odd-numbered years.  

Example (to make it concrete) 

• Birth month: October
  • Born in 1988 (even year) → renew by October 31 in 2026, 2028, 2030, etc.
  • Born in 1991 (odd year) → renew by October 31 in 2027, 2029, 2031, etc.  

If you’re ever unsure, don’t guess. Check your expiration date using the state’s license lookup (it takes about a minute).  

How do I check my Virginia RN license status and expiration date? 

You can verify your RN status and see whether your license is current or expired using the Virginia DHP License Lookup (the state’s public verification system). It’s also described as primary source verification.  

This is especially useful if you’re: 

• Starting a new job and onboarding asks for proof
• Coming back from leave
• Traveling and taking a contract
• Not 100% sure if you renewed last cycle 

How do I renew my nursing license in Virginia online? 

If you’re searching for how to renew a nursing license in Virginia or a Virginia RN license renewal, the renewal process is typically done through DHP Online Licensing. 

A step-by-step: 

1. Watch for your renewal notice (usually emailed if you have an email address on file). Virginia notes paper renewal notices are no longer mailed. 
2. Log into the DHP online licensing portal using your username/password or your renewal PIN. 
3. Complete the renewal questions/attestation, including attesting that you met continued competency requirements. 
4. Pay the renewal fee (online payments are accepted by card). 
5. Save your confirmation and then verify your license status after processing (use License Lookup).  

Please note that not receiving a renewal notice doesn’t remove your responsibility to renew by your expiration date.  

What if I didn’t get my renewal notice or PIN? 

A few things can cause this (spam filters, old email on file, job change, moved recently). Virginia specifically warns that renewal notices are sent by email to licensees who have an email address on record and encourages keeping contact information updated.  

DHP also explains that the renewal notice includes a PIN and is sent about 45 to 60 days before your license expires, and that you’ll need your username/password or PIN to renew. If you don’t have it, DHP directs you to contact their call center email and provide identifying information (like license number and DOB) so they can help.  

Tip: Update your email address as soon as you change employers. Including your previous work email with your renewal notices is a risky combo if you ever leave that organization. 

How much is the Virginia RN license renewal fee, and what are the late fees? 

For RNs in Virginia: 

• RN renewal (biennial): $140 
• Late renewal fee (RN): +$50 
• Inactive RN renewal: $70 (if you request inactive status instead of active renewal) 
• RN reinstatement (lapsed/expired): $225 (and higher if after suspension/revocation)  

Costs matter, especially if you’re between jobs, so renewing on time is one of those “future you will thank you” moves. 

How many CEUs are required for an RN in Virginia? 

This is one of the most common questions nurses ask: How many CEUs are required for RNs in Virginia? 

Virginia’s language is a little different. The state requires “continued competency,” and one way to meet it is with CE contact hours. 

Here are the most common CE-based options: 

• 30 contact hours of workshops, seminars, or courses relevant to nursing practice  

OR 

• 15 contact hours plus 640 hours of active practice as a nurse.  

Quick translation: CEUs versus contact hours 

Virginia defines a contact hour as 50 minutes of CE coursework/activity.  

Many nurses say “CEUs” casually when they really mean “contact hours.” If a course certificate says, “X contact hours,” that’s typically the number you’ll track for renewal. 

What are all the ways I can meet Virginia nursing continuing education requirements (continued competency)? 

Virginia RN renewal requires completing at least one of the approved options below during the renewal cycle. You don’t mix and match pieces of different options. You complete one option fully.  

Approved continued competency options include: 

1. Current specialty certification by a national certifying organization 
2. Three credit hours of post-licensure academic education relevant to nursing practice 
3. A Board-approved nursing refresher course 
4. A nursing-related evidence-based practice project or research study 
5. A publication where you’re listed as the author or co-author during the renewal cycle 
6. Teaching/developing a nursing-related course (college credit, 15-week course, or specialty cert-related) 
7. Teaching/developing CE courses (maximum of 30 contact hours) 
8. Fifteen contact hours and 640 hours of active practice
9. Thirty contact hours  

This is why you’ll sometimes see different answers online about “Virginia nursing CE requirements.” The CE/contact-hour route is common, but it’s not the only path. 

What counts as “active practice” for the 640-hour option? 

Virginia defines active practice as activities performed (paid or unpaid) that require an active nursing license.  

The Board’s FAQ also clarifies that faculty hours or other non–hands-on clinical roles can count as active practice (as long as it meets the definition).  

If you use the 640-hour active practice option, documentation typically includes your hours worked and employer/supervisor verification. Virginia’s regulation describes what documentation should include and even explains alternatives for self-employed or volunteer roles.  

Which CE providers are accepted for Virginia RN renewal? 

If you meet continued competency through contact hours (the 15-hour or 30-hour CE options), Virginia requires that the education be offered by a provider recognized/approved by certain organizations or entities. 

Examples from the regulation include: 

• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Nurses Association (ANA)
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
• Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
• State nurses associations
• National League for Nursing (NLN)
• Accredited colleges/universities
• Licensed healthcare facilities/agencies/hospitals
• State or federal government agencies
• And others listed in the regulation  

Also important, the Virginia Board of Nursing notes it doesn’t “pre-approve” CE courses on request. You’re expected to choose courses that meet the provider requirements.  

Do online CE courses and webinars count for Virginia RN license renewal? 

Yes, as long as the education meets Virginia’s requirements (nursing-related, appropriate provider, etc.). 

Virginia’s Board FAQ explicitly states that online/webinar offerings are acceptable, and the regulations don’t limit the “modality” or delivery method.  

That’s helpful for bedside nurses who are balancing: 

• 12-hour shifts (or nights)
• Family schedules
• Overtime
• Certification goals
• Burnout prevention 

Online CE can be the difference between being done early and realizing your birth month is coming up soon. 

Do I have to submit CE certificates or continued competency paperwork with my renewal? 

Usually, no. 

Virginia’s Board FAQ says you’re not required to submit documentation of continued competency with your renewal, but you should retain your documents.  

The renewal process is typically an attestation process, then you keep the proof in case you’re asked later. 

How long should I keep proof of CE/continued competency in Virginia? 

Virginia requires that nurses maintain original documentation for two years following renewal and provide it within 30 days if the Board requests proof of compliance.  

Practical nurse tip: keep a digital folder with: 

• CE certificates (PDFs)
• conference attendance verification
• certification renewal proof
• employer letter/verification for practice hours (if using the 640-hour route) 

If you’re ever audited, you’ll be glad you don’t have to hunt through old emails from three jobs ago. 

Can I roll over extra CEUs/contact hours into the next renewal period? 

No. Virginia’s Board FAQ states you can’t “roll over” extra credits. You must obtain them during the current renewal cycle.  

So, if you did 40 contact hours this cycle, you still need to meet a full option again next cycle. 

What doesn’t count toward Virginia nursing continuing education requirements? 

Virginia requires education relevant to nursing practice, and the Board FAQ gives concrete examples of credits that are not acceptable, such as: 

• Basic life support/CPR
• Courses not nursing-related (like general emergency evacuation procedures, art therapy, or a general Spanish course)  

If you take something like a language course, it needs to clearly tie to nursing practice (the Board FAQ gives an example like “Spanish for Health Care Providers”).  

Am I exempt from continued competency for my first Virginia RN renewal? 

Yes. Virginia states that a licensee is exempt from the continued competency requirement for their initial renewal following first licensure by examination or endorsement.  

Exemption from continued competency doesn’t mean you can skip renewal. You still renew your license and pay the fee on time. 

What happens if I miss my VA RN license renewal deadline? 

If you don’t renew by your expiration date, the regulation says your license automatically lapses, and practicing with a lapsed license is considered illegal practice.  

If your license lapses, your employer may pull you off the schedule immediately. Even if your unit is short, no one wants the risk of an expired license. 

What’s the difference between late renewal and reinstatement in Virginia? 

Virginia treats “late renewal” and “reinstatement” differently, depending on how long your license has been lapsed. 

If your license lapsed, but it’s within one renewal period 

You may be reinstated within one renewal period if you: 

• Pay both the current renewal fee and the late fee.
• Attest that you completed at least one approved continued competency option in the prior two years. 

If your license has lapsed for more than one renewal period 

You must: 

• File a reinstatement application and pay a reinstatement fee.
• Provide evidence of continued competency completed within the prior two years.
• Submit a criminal history background check (CBC).  

Can I put my Virginia RN license on inactive status instead of renewing on active status? 

Yes. Virginia allows an RN with a current, unrestricted license to request an inactive license during renewal (with the required fee).  

Key points nurses should know: 

• With an inactive license, you cannot practice nursing in Virginia or practice on a multistate privilege. 
• You may still use the title “registered nurse.” 
• If you later return to the bedside, you’ll need to reactivate, which includes fees and continued competency attestation/evidence depending on how long you’ve been inactive.  

This can be a smart option if you’re: 

• Stepping away from clinical work
• Taking a long break
• Moving into a non-licensed role
• Retiring but not ready to fully let go of the credential 

Can I renew my Virginia RN license if I moved out of Virginia? 

This depends on your situation and whether you’re using compact/multistate privileges. 

Virginia requires licensees to declare their primary state of residence at renewal. If you declare your primary state of residence is another compact state, you aren’t eligible for renewal in Virginia under the regulation.  

If you moved, it’s worth checking: 

• Is Virginia still your legal primary state of residence?
• Are you trying to keep a Virginia multistate license even though you live elsewhere? 

If you’re unsure, the Virginia Board of Nursing’s Nurse Licensure Compact resources explain how the primary state of residence works and why it matters.  

What should travel nurses know about Virginia RN license renewal and the Nurse Licensure Compact? 

If you’re a travel nurse, here’s the key idea: under the Nurse Licensure Compact, you maintain your multistate license in your primary state of residence. 

So if: 

• Your home state is Virginia, so your Virginia license may give multistate privileges (as long as you meet compact requirements), and renewal includes attesting that you’ve met those requirements. 
• You permanently move your primary state of residence to another compact state, so you typically need to obtain licensure in the new home state, rather than renewing your Virginia home-state multistate license.  

Compact rules are powerful, but they’re tied to where you truly reside. 

What if I have an RN and an LPN license (or an RN and NP license) in Virginia? 

Virginia has “dual licensure” guidance in the continued competency rules: 

• If you’re dually licensed as an RN and LPN, you only must meet one set of continued competency requirements. 
• If you’re an RN and also have an active license as a nurse practitioner (NP), you follow the NP continued competency requirements referenced by the regulation.  

If you hold multiple licenses, it’s smart to plan your learning activities so they clearly support your practice role and meet the right standard. 

How can I plan my continued competency so that Virginia RN license renewal isn’t stressful? 

Here’s a practical approach that works: 

• Step 1: Know your deadline. Put your birth month renewal deadline on your calendar, and set a reminder 90 and 60 days out. 
• Step 2: Pick your path early. Decide if you’re doing:
  • 30 contact hours
  • 15 contact hours and 640 hours of practice
  • Another option (like certification or academic credits)
• Step 3: Keep proof as you go. Don’t wait until the end of the cycle to track down certificates. You must keep documentation for two years after renewal. 
• Step 4: Avoid common “CE traps.” BLS/CPR and non-nursing courses typically won’t count. 
• Step 5: Don’t count on mailed notices. Virginia notes paper notices are no longer mailed, so having the right email address on file matters.  

If you do a small amount of learning monthly (even one to two hours), you’ll rarely feel the renewal crunch. 

Where can I get official help for Virginia RN license renewal requirements? 

When you need the most accurate, current direction, go straight to Virginia’s official sources: 

• Virginia Board of Nursing for laws/regulations and continued competency options 
• Virginia DHP Online Licensing / Renew Online for renewal access, PIN info, and online renewal support 
• Virginia DHP License Lookup to verify status and expiration  

 If something feels unclear (especially around lapsed licenses, inactive status, or compact residency), official guidance is the safest place to anchor your decision-making.