LPN License Renewal in Colorado (2026)

LPN license renewal in Colorado is handled by the Colorado State Board of Nursing (Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations), which requires Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Colorado LPN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	LPN (Practical Nurse) licenses renew on a fixed biennial cycle. Per the Board's rules, a licensee who fails to renew has a 60-day grace period (CRS 12-20-202(1)(e)) to renew without discipline; after that the license is expired and reinstatement is required. The Board indicates the practical-nurse expiration falls on a fixed even-year date (widely reported as August 31 of even-numbered years), but the exact calendar date was not verifiable on a static official page.
CE hours required	None required
Renewal fee	see board (fee not fixed/published)
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Colorado State Board of Nursing (Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations)

Go to the official Colorado State Board of Nursing (Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Colorado State Board of Nursing (Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations). automated research workflow (official colorado Board of Nursing), confidence medium.

Continuing-education requirements for LPNs in Colorado

The Board states on its official FAQ that continuing education hours are NOT currently required to renew a Practical Nurse (LPN) license (the same applies to RN, CNA, and Psychiatric Technician). There is no contact-hour or routine continued-competency requirement at ordinary renewal. Continued competency is only triggered for those who have not worked on an active nursing license in the last two years (e.g., endorsement, reinstatement, or reactivation), which is met by completing a Board-recognized refresher course. Note: widely circulated third-party claims of "20 contact hours or 400 practice hours" for Colorado LPNs are NOT supported by the official Board source.

Need approved hours? Compare Colorado LPN CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your LPN license in Colorado

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Colorado State Board of Nursing (Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations) portal.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Colorado uses the term Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); only California and Texas use Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Regulator is the Colorado State Board of Nursing under DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations. Renewal is handled through the DORA "Online Services" portal (apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing). Official source verifies no CE is required for LPN renewal and the 60-day post-expiration grace period. The exact LPN expiration calendar date and the dollar renewal/late fees are not published on static official pages (key pages are JavaScript-rendered and fees appear only on the live application form), so fee fields are nulled per accuracy policy. Third-party sources commonly cite a ~$108 RN/LPN renewal fee and an August 31 even-year LPN expiration, but these could not be confirmed on a .gov source.

LPN license renewal in Colorado: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my LPN license in Colorado?

Colorado LPN licenses renew every 24 months. LPN (Practical Nurse) licenses renew on a fixed biennial cycle. Per the Board's rules, a licensee who fails to renew has a 60-day grace period (CRS 12-20-202(1)(e)) to renew without discipline; after that the license is expired and reinstatement is required. The Board indicates the practical-nurse expiration falls on a fixed even-year date (widely reported as August 31 of even-numbered years), but the exact calendar date was not verifiable on a static official page.

How many CE hours are required to renew an LPN license in Colorado?

Colorado does not require continuing-education hours to renew a standard LPN license. The Board states on its official FAQ that continuing education hours are NOT currently required to renew a Practical Nurse (LPN) license (the same applies to RN, CNA, and Psychiatric Technician). There is no contact-hour or routine continued-competency requirement at ordinary renewal. Continued competency is only triggered for those who have not worked on an active nursing license in the last two years (e.g., endorsement, reinstatement, or reactivation), which is met by completing a Board-recognized refresher course. Note: widely circulated third-party claims of "20 contact hours or 400 practice hours" for Colorado LPNs are NOT supported by the official Board source. Confirm the current rule with the Colorado State Board of Nursing (Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations).

Can I renew my Colorado LPN license online?

Yes — Colorado offers online renewal through the Colorado State Board of Nursing (Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Colorado LPN license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Colorado State Board of Nursing (Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) renewal