Quick answer
Education: Licensure-by-examination applicants must graduate from a course of study approved by the board; Exam: RN/LPN applicants must pass the examination required by the board. On or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice nursing must apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and must also file the required fee.
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 2 official sources
What are the North Carolina nursing license requirements?
Education
Licensure-by-examination applicants must graduate from a course of study approved by the board.
the applicant has graduated from a course of study approved by the Board
Official sourceExam
RN/LPN applicants must pass the examination required by the board.
The applicants shall be required to pass the examination required by the Board.
Official sourceLicensing agency and application
Board
North Carolina Board of Nursing
"Board" means the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Official sourceReciprocity
The board may license an RN or LPN without another examination if licensed elsewhere under substantially equivalent or higher requirements at initial licensure and competent to practice in North Carolina.
The Board may, without examination, issue a license to an applicant who is duly licensed as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse under the laws of another state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or foreign country when that jurisdiction's requirements for licensure as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse, as the case may be, are substantially equivalent to or exceed those of the State of North Carolina at the time the applicant was initially licensed, and when, in the Board's opinion, the applicant is competent to practice nursing in this State.
Official sourceVerified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Continuing competence requires self-assessment, a continued-learning plan, and a learning-activity option. Options include national certification, 30 nursing CE contact hours, a Board-approved refresher course, two semester hours of post-licensure nursing education, or 15 CE hours plus 640 practice hours in the previous two years. Other 15-hour combinations include a nursing project, publication or educational presentation.
Complete a self-assessment of practice
Develop a plan for continued learning;
National Certification or re-certification related to the nurse's practice role
Thirty contact hours of continuing education activities related to the nurse's practice;
Completion of a Board-approved refresher course
Completion of a minimum of two semester hours of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice;
Fifteen contact hours of a continuing education activity related to the nurse's practice and completion of a nursing project
Fifteen contact hours of a continuing education activity related to the nurse's practice and authoring or co-authoring a published nursing-related article, paper, book, or book chapter;
Fifteen contact hours of a continuing education activity related to the nurse's practice and designing, developing, and conducting an educational presentation or presentations totaling a minimum of five contact hours for nurses or other health professionals;
Fifteen contact hours of a continuing education activity related to the nurse's practice and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two years.
Official sourceVerified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source
How do I renew my nursing license in North Carolina?
Renewal
On or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice nursing must apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and must also file the required fee.
Every unencumbered license, except temporary license, issued under this Article shall be renewed for two years. On or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice nursing shall apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and shall also file the required fee.
Official sourceLicense term in years
2 years
Every unencumbered license, except temporary license, issued under this Article shall be renewed for two years.
Official sourceVerified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source
View renewal deadlines, fees and CE
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What are the common questions?
How often do I renew a registered nurse and lpn renewal and continuing education license in North Carolina?
On or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice nursing must apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and must also file the required fee.
Every unencumbered license, except temporary license, issued under this Article shall be renewed for two years. On or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice nursing shall apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and shall also file the required fee.
Official sourceVerified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source
Which official sources support this guide?
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 3 official sources
Official sources and verification (7)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
License term in years2 years
2
Every unencumbered license, except temporary license, issued under this Article shall be renewed for two years.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
RenewalOn or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice nursing must apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and must also file the required fee.
On or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice nursing shall apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and shall also file the required fee. Applies to: North Carolina nursing licenses; two-year renewals excluding temporary licenses
Every unencumbered license, except temporary license, issued under this Article shall be renewed for two years. On or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice nursing shall apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and shall also file the required fee.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceContinuing competence requires self-assessment, a continued-learning plan, and a learning-activity option. Options include national certification, 30 nursing CE contact hours, a Board-approved refresher course, two semester hours of post-licensure nursing education, or 15 CE hours plus 640 practice hours in the previous two years. Other 15-hour combinations include a nursing project, publication or educational presentation.
Continuing competence requires self-assessment, a continued-learning plan, and a learning-activity option. Options include national certification, 30 nursing CE contact hours, a Board-approved refresher course, two semester hours of post-licensure nursing education, or 15 CE hours plus 640 practice hours in the previous two years. Other 15-hour combinations include a nursing project, publication or educational presentation.
Complete a self-assessment of practice
Develop a plan for continued learning;
National Certification or re-certification related to the nurse's practice role
Thirty contact hours of continuing education activities related to the nurse's practice;
Completion of a Board-approved refresher course
Completion of a minimum of two semester hours of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice;
Fifteen contact hours of a continuing education activity related to the nurse's practice and completion of a nursing project
Fifteen contact hours of a continuing education activity related to the nurse's practice and authoring or co-authoring a published nursing-related article, paper, book, or book chapter;
Fifteen contact hours of a continuing education activity related to the nurse's practice and designing, developing, and conducting an educational presentation or presentations totaling a minimum of five contact hours for nurses or other health professionals;
Fifteen contact hours of a continuing education activity related to the nurse's practice and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two years.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
BoardNorth Carolina Board of Nursing
North Carolina Board of Nursing
"Board" means the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / EducationLicensure-by-examination applicants must graduate from a course of study approved by the board.
Licensure-by-examination applicants must graduate from a course of study approved by the board.
the applicant has graduated from a course of study approved by the Board
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / ExamRN/LPN applicants must pass the examination required by the board.
RN/LPN applicants must pass the examination required by the board.
The applicants shall be required to pass the examination required by the Board.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
ReciprocityThe board may license an RN or LPN without another examination if licensed elsewhere under substantially equivalent or higher requirements at initial licensure and competent to practice in North Carolina.
The board may license an RN or LPN without another examination if licensed elsewhere under substantially equivalent or higher requirements at initial licensure and competent to practice in North Carolina.
The Board may, without examination, issue a license to an applicant who is duly licensed as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse under the laws of another state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or foreign country when that jurisdiction's requirements for licensure as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse, as the case may be, are substantially equivalent to or exceed those of the State of North Carolina at the time the applicant was initially licensed, and when, in the Board's opinion, the applicant is competent to practice nursing in this State.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, required hours, continuing education — see the official agency.