Official sources and verification (17)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
BoardKentucky Board of Nursing
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Official agency pageOpen the official agency page
https://kbn.ky.gov/Registered-Nurse/Pages/Continuing-Education.aspx
KBN Annual Continuing Education Requirements for Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Apply with the agencyOpen the official agency page
https://kbn.ky.gov/Licensure/Pages/Renewal.aspx
During the renewal period, complete your license renewal by following these instructions:
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceAll nurses must complete one contact hour on Alzheimer's disease or other dementia once: nurses active on July 15, 2024 have until October 31, 2027; those licensed afterward have three years from initial licensure.
All nurses must complete one contact hour on Alzheimer's disease or other dementia once: nurses active on July 15, 2024 have until October 31, 2027; those licensed afterward have three years from initial licensure.
All Nurses
Complete 1 contact hour in Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of Dementia
Individuals actively licensed as of July 15, 2024, must complete this requirement by October 31, 2027. Nurses actively licensed after July 15, 2024, must complete this requirement within 3 years of initial licensure as described in 201 KAR 20:215.
Once completed it does not need to be repeated.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceNurses educated outside Kentucky, or in Kentucky before August 2025, must complete a one-time two-hour suicide-prevention course within three years of initial licensure, including one hour in general prevention and one in chronic toxic stress.
Nurses educated outside Kentucky, or in Kentucky before August 2025, must complete a one-time two-hour suicide-prevention course within three years of initial licensure, including one hour in general prevention and one in chronic toxic stress.
Nurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky; or
Nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to August of 2025
Complete 2 contact hours in Suicide Prevention
1 in general; and
1 in chronic toxic stress;
Within 3 years of initial licensure as described in 201 KAR 20:215.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceNurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky; or Nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing before May of 1988 Complete 3 contact hours in Domestic Violence Within 3 years of initial licensure as described in 201 KAR 20:215. Once completed it does not need to be repeated.
Nurses educated outside Kentucky, or in Kentucky before May 1988, need three hours of domestic-violence CE once within three years of initial licensure.
Nurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky; or
Nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to May of 1988
Complete 3 contact hours in Domestic Violence
Within 3 years of initial licensure as described in 201 KAR 20:215.
Once completed it does not need to be repeated.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceKeep CE documentation for five years.
Keep CE documentation for five years.
All CE documents must be maintained for five years as proof of compliance.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceThe Board's RN/LPN application fees are $125 for examination, $165 for endorsement and $65 for renewal. Card payments add 2.75%; ACH adds $1.
The Board's RN/LPN application fees are $125 for examination, $165 for endorsement and $65 for renewal. Card payments add 2.75%; ACH adds $1.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Registered Nurse (RN)
Endorsement ......................................................................................................................................................... $165
Examination ...........................................................................................................................................................$125
Renewal
* ............................................................................................................................................................... $65
Please note that service fees are assessed by the electronic payment processing company for credit cards (2.75% transaction fee) and ACH (online checks) ($1.00 transaction fee).
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceExamination applicants must be able to read, write and speak English and complete state and federal background checks.
Examination applicants must be able to read, write and speak English and complete state and federal background checks.
Ability to read, write, and speak English (KRS 314.041 and KRS 314.051)
Completion of the State and Federal Background Check through IdentoGO®
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceNurses educated outside Kentucky, or in Kentucky before December 2011, must complete 1.5 contact hours on pediatric abusive head trauma once within three years of initial licensure.
Nurses educated outside Kentucky, or in Kentucky before December 2011, must complete 1.5 contact hours on pediatric abusive head trauma once within three years of initial licensure.
Nurses who completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky; or
Nurses who completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to December of 2011
Complete 1.5 contact hours in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma
Within 3 years of initial licensure as described in 201 KAR 20:215.
Once completed it does not need to be repeated.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceBefore performing infusion therapy, LPNs educated outside Kentucky or in Kentucky before September 2019 must complete the infusion-therapy course meeting 201 KAR 20:490; the course does not need to be repeated.
Before performing infusion therapy, LPNs educated outside Kentucky or in Kentucky before September 2019 must complete the infusion-therapy course meeting 201 KAR 20:490; the course does not need to be repeated.
LPNs who wish to engage in Infusion Therapy and either
Completed a nursing program outside of Kentucky; or
Completed a Kentucky program of nursing prior to September of 2019
Complete a course in infusion therapy that meets the criteria in 201 KAR 20:490
Prior to performing infusion therapy
Once completed it does not need to be repeated.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
RenewalThe Renewal period for LPN, RN, APRN, DT, LCPM, and SANE is September 15 through 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 31.
The Renewal period for LPN, RN, APRN, DT, LCPM, and SANE is September 15 through 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 31. Applies to: Kentucky RN and LPN renewal.
The Renewal period for LPN, RN, APRN, DT, LCPM, and SANE is September 15 through 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 31.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education topicsEach November 1–October 31 earning period, one option is 14 nursing CE contact hours. Alternatives include a satisfactory employment evaluation covering at least six months plus seven CE hours, or current national nursing certification related to the practice role. Consult the Board for other qualifying alternatives.
Each November 1–October 31 earning period, one option is 14 nursing CE contact hours. Alternatives include a satisfactory employment evaluation covering at least six months plus seven CE hours, or current national nursing certification related to the practice role. Consult the Board for other qualifying alternatives.
All nurses are required to complete Continuing Education Requirements every year between November 1 – October 31.
Fourteen (14) contact hours of nursing CE during the earning period November 1st – October 31st
A satisfactory evaluation that covers at least 6 months of the earning period November 1st – October 31st; and
Seven (7) contact hours of nursing CE during the earning period November 1st – October 31st
Current national nursing certification or recertification related to the nurse's practice role either obtained, renewed, or in effect during the earning period November 1st – October 31st
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / EducationComplete a Board-approved pre-licensure nursing program.
Complete a Board-approved pre-licensure nursing program.
Completion of a Board approved pre-licensure program of nursing
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / ExamPass the KBN Jurisprudence Examination with at least 80% and pass the NCLEX.
Pass the KBN Jurisprudence Examination with at least 80% and pass the NCLEX.
Completion and passing with a score of at least 80% on the KBN Jurisprudence Examination
Successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®)
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
License term in years1 years
1
The renewed license is active for one year and will expire on October 31st of the following year.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
ReciprocityNurses from states outside the Nurse Licensure Compact, and nurses moving their primary residence to Kentucky, must obtain Kentucky licensure by endorsement.
Nurses from states outside the Nurse Licensure Compact, and nurses moving their primary residence to Kentucky, must obtain Kentucky licensure by endorsement.
Nurses who wish to practice in Kentucky who are not licensed in a state that is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, are required to obtain licensure by endorsement. Nurses who permanently move to Kentucky, making Kentucky their primary state of residence, are required to obtain a Kentucky license through the process of endorsement (201 KAR 20:110).
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026