LPN License Renewal in District of Columbia (2026)

LPN license renewal in District of Columbia is handled by the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration), 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.

District of Columbia LPN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Biennial (2-year) renewal. DC Health transitioned to a birth-month cycle: credentials issued or renewed on/after June 16, 2024 expire on the last day of the holder's birth month (transition began applying to renewals in September 2024). Older licenses historically expired June 30 of odd-numbered years, but the board now uses the individual birth-month expiration.
CE hours required	18 hours
Renewal fee	$145.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration)

Go to the official District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration). automated research workflow (official district-of-columbia Board of Nursing), confidence medium.

Continuing-education requirements for LPNs in District of Columbia

LPNs must complete 18 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle (fewer than the RN total). Mandatory components included within the 18 hours: 2 hours on LGBTQ cultural competency, and public health priorities equal to 10% of required hours (about 3 hours). During the birth-month transition, the board accepted 50% of the CE requirement for licensees with less than two years on the current license term.

Need approved hours? Compare District of Columbia LPN CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your LPN license in District of Columbia

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration) portal.
Complete the required 18 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Credential is Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); only California and Texas use the "Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)" term — not DC. The board confirmed on its official page the birth-month renewal transition (effective June 16, 2024) and the 50% transitional CE allowance, plus the 2-hour LGBTQ competency and 10% public-health CE requirements. Online renewal runs through the DC Health licensing portal (dohlicenseinfo.secure.force.com/dchealthrenewals). Renewal fee ($145), late fee ($85, late period historically through ~Aug 30), and the 18-hour LPN CE total are sourced from third-party renewal guides; the official DC Health fee schedule page was not accessible (404/403) to confirm dollar amounts directly. Some third-party guides still describe the old fixed June 30 odd-year deadline, which the official board page supersedes with the birth-month rule. CE Broker is referenced by some third parties but is not stated on the official board site, so left null.

LPN license renewal in District of Columbia: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my LPN license in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia LPN licenses renew every 24 months. Biennial (2-year) renewal. DC Health transitioned to a birth-month cycle: credentials issued or renewed on/after June 16, 2024 expire on the last day of the holder's birth month (transition began applying to renewals in September 2024). Older licenses historically expired June 30 of odd-numbered years, but the board now uses the individual birth-month expiration.

How many CE hours are required to renew an LPN license in District of Columbia?

Approximately 18 continuing-education hours per cycle. LPNs must complete 18 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle (fewer than the RN total). Mandatory components included within the 18 hours: 2 hours on LGBTQ cultural competency, and public health priorities equal to 10% of required hours (about 3 hours). During the birth-month transition, the board accepted 50% of the CE requirement for licensees with less than two years on the current license term. Confirm the current requirement with the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration).

Can I renew my District of Columbia LPN license online?

Yes — District of Columbia offers online renewal through the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my District of Columbia LPN license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $85 may apply. Contact the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

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