Quick answer
The first renewal after licensure by examination is exempt. Endorsement licensees with one year or less need 12 hours; those with more than one year need 24 hours. An LPN who also holds an active Ohio RN license is exempt from the LPN CE requirement.
Exam
RN/LPN examination applicants must pass the examination accepted by the board.
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Renewal
RN renewal is due September fifteenth in odd-numbered years; LPN renewal is due September fifteenth in even-numbered years.
View official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Ohio Board of Nursing
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
shall be submitted to the board of nursing
Official sourceCheck your qualifications
Education
RN examination applicants must complete a nursing program approved by Ohio’s board or a board in another jurisdiction belonging to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
an applicant seeking a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse must successfully complete either of the following:
(a) A nursing education program approved by the board
(b) A nursing education program approved by a board of another jurisdiction that is a member of the national council of state boards of nursing.
Official sourceExam
RN/LPN examination applicants must pass the examination accepted by the board.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The applicant passes the examination accepted by the board under section 4723.10 of the Revised Code.
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
The first renewal after licensure by examination is exempt. Endorsement licensees with one year or less need 12 hours; those with more than one year need 24 hours. An LPN who also holds an active Ohio RN license is exempt from the LPN CE requirement.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
For the period immediately following licensure by examination, a nurse who holds an active license to practice nursing in Ohio is not required to complete any contact hours of continuing education for the first license renewal;
A nurse who has been licensed by endorsement in Ohio for one year or less must complete twelve contact hours of continuing education;
A nurse who has been licensed by endorsement in Ohio for more than one year must complete twenty-four contact hours of continuing education.
A licensed practical nurse who has an active license as a registered nurse in Ohio is not required to meet the continuing education requirement for renewal of the license to practice as a practical nurse.
Official sourceWhen do I renew, and is CE required?
Renewal
RN renewal is due September fifteenth in odd-numbered years; LPN renewal is due September fifteenth in even-numbered years.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
An active license to practice nursing as a registered nurse is subject to renewal in odd-numbered years. An application for renewal of the license is due on the fifteenth day of September of the renewal year.
An active license to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse is subject to renewal in even-numbered years. An application for renewal of the license is due on the fifteenth day of September of the renewal year.
Official sourceContinuing education hours
24 hours
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
must complete twenty-four contact hours of continuing education during the reporting period, unless an exception applies
Official sourceContinuing education topics
At least one required hour must be Category A.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
at least one of the required hours needs to be in category A continuing education.
Official sourceHave a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What does it cost?
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
What are the common questions?
How often do I renew a registered nurse and lpn renewal and continuing education license in Ohio?
RN renewal is due September fifteenth in odd-numbered years; LPN renewal is due September fifteenth in even-numbered years.
Source and quotation
An active license to practice nursing as a registered nurse is subject to renewal in odd-numbered years. An application for renewal of the license is due on the fifteenth day of September of the renewal year.
An active license to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse is subject to renewal in even-numbered years. An application for renewal of the license is due on the fifteenth day of September of the renewal year.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (7)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
RenewalRN renewal is due September fifteenth in odd-numbered years; LPN renewal is due September fifteenth in even-numbered years.
An active license to practice nursing as a registered nurse is subject to renewal in odd-numbered years. An application for renewal of the license is due on the fifteenth day of September of the renewal year.
An active license to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse is subject to renewal in even-numbered years. An application for renewal of the license is due on the fifteenth day of September of the renewal year. Applies to: Ohio RN and LPN licenses
An active license to practice nursing as a registered nurse is subject to renewal in odd-numbered years. An application for renewal of the license is due on the fifteenth day of September of the renewal year.
An active license to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse is subject to renewal in even-numbered years. An application for renewal of the license is due on the fifteenth day of September of the renewal year.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education hours24 hours
24
must complete twenty-four contact hours of continuing education during the reporting period, unless an exception applies
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education topicsAt least one required hour must be Category A.
At least one required hour must be Category A.
at least one of the required hours needs to be in category A continuing education.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceThe first renewal after licensure by examination is exempt. Endorsement licensees with one year or less need 12 hours; those with more than one year need 24 hours. An LPN who also holds an active Ohio RN license is exempt from the LPN CE requirement.
The first renewal after licensure by examination is exempt. Endorsement licensees with one year or less need 12 hours; those with more than one year need 24 hours. An LPN who also holds an active Ohio RN license is exempt from the LPN CE requirement.
For the period immediately following licensure by examination, a nurse who holds an active license to practice nursing in Ohio is not required to complete any contact hours of continuing education for the first license renewal;
A nurse who has been licensed by endorsement in Ohio for one year or less must complete twelve contact hours of continuing education;
A nurse who has been licensed by endorsement in Ohio for more than one year must complete twenty-four contact hours of continuing education.
A licensed practical nurse who has an active license as a registered nurse in Ohio is not required to meet the continuing education requirement for renewal of the license to practice as a practical nurse.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
BoardOhio Board of Nursing
Ohio Board of Nursing
shall be submitted to the board of nursing
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / EducationRN examination applicants must complete a nursing program approved by Ohio’s board or a board in another jurisdiction belonging to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
RN examination applicants must complete a nursing program approved by Ohio’s board or a board in another jurisdiction belonging to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
an applicant seeking a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse must successfully complete either of the following:
(a) A nursing education program approved by the board
(b) A nursing education program approved by a board of another jurisdiction that is a member of the national council of state boards of nursing.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / ExamRN/LPN examination applicants must pass the examination accepted by the board.
RN/LPN examination applicants must pass the examination accepted by the board.
The applicant passes the examination accepted by the board under section 4723.10 of the Revised Code.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, required hours — see the official agency.