Virginia RN CE Courses (2026)
To renew your RN license in Virginia you need to satisfy the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions)'s continuing education (CE) requirement . Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What Virginia requires for RN renewal
| CE hours required | No single fixed hour count — see details |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) |
Virginia uses continued-competency options rather than a fixed CE-hour mandate; an active-license renewer completes at least one full option per cycle. Options include current national specialty certification, 3+ credit hours of post-licensure academic nursing study, a board-approved refresher course, an evidence-based practice project, a nursing publication, course development, 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours, or 30 contact hours. Options can't be combined, and the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt.
Full RN renewal guide for Virginia (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Virginia RN CE course providers
- Nurse.com CE
Large catalog of accredited nursing CE, including state-mandated topic courses.
- Elite Learning — Nursing CE
State-specific RN CE packages bundled around each state's renewal requirements.
- CEUfast
ANCC-accredited unlimited-CE subscription accepted in most states.
- Wild Iris Medical Education
Individual accredited nursing CE courses, including pharmacology and ethics.
- Western Schools
RN CE course bundles organized by state renewal rules.
Virginia RN CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my RN license in Virginia?
Virginia does not set a single fixed CE-hour count for RN renewal. Virginia uses continued-competency options rather than a fixed CE-hour mandate; an active-license renewer completes at least one full option per cycle. Options include current national specialty certification, 3+ credit hours of post-licensure academic nursing study, a board-approved refresher course, an evidence-based practice project, a nursing publication, course development, 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours, or 30 contact hours. Options can't be combined, and the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt.
Do online RN CE courses count in Virginia?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions). Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Virginia RN CE?
Virginia generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions).
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions). Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.
Official Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) site →