LPN License Renewal in Kentucky (2026)

LPN license renewal in Kentucky is handled by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, which requires Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)s to renew every 12 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.

Kentucky LPN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	12 months
Deadline rule	Kentucky LPN licenses renew annually on a fixed calendar cycle (not birth-month based). The online renewal window opens September 15 and the license must be renewed by midnight Eastern Time on October 31 each year, or it lapses.
CE hours required	14 hours
Renewal fee	$65.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Kentucky Board of Nursing

Go to the official Kentucky Board of Nursing renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Kentucky Board of Nursing. automated research workflow (official kentucky Board of Nursing), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for LPNs in Kentucky

LPNs must earn 14 approved continuing education contact hours during the November 1 - October 31 earning period. An alternative pathway allows 7 contact hours plus a satisfactory employment evaluation covering at least 6 months of the earning period (using the KBN Nursing CE Employment Evaluation Form). Other substitutes count toward the requirement (national certification, post-licensure college coursework at 15 contact hours per credit, serving as a preceptor for 120+ hours, peer-reviewed publication, or presenting CE). One-time content-specific CE requirements (to be completed within 3 years of licensure) include domestic violence, pediatric abusive head trauma, suicide prevention, Alzheimer's/dementia, and LPN infusion therapy; exact hours for each are published on the board's content-specific CE page. CE records must be kept for five years for audit.

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

How to renew your LPN license in Kentucky

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Kentucky Board of Nursing portal.
Complete the required 14 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: Kentucky uses an unusual annual (12-month) renewal cycle rather than the typical biennial nursing cycle, with the same Sept 15 open / Oct 31 deadline for both LPN and RN. The $65 renewal fee includes a built-in $5 statutory surcharge to the Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund (NISF) and the Kentucky Alternative Recovery Effort (KARE) per 201 KAR 20:240. The fee schedule lists no separate late/delinquent renewal fee; a license not renewed by Oct 31 lapses and must be reinstated for $135 (reinstatement also carries its own CE requirements). Kentucky does NOT use CE Broker; it verifies CE via its own random audit, and licensees retain records for 5 years. The credential here is the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); only California and Texas call the equivalent credential a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). LPN CE total (14 hrs) is published per-cycle; not all per-state RN totals match.

LPN license renewal in Kentucky: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my LPN license in Kentucky?

Kentucky LPN licenses renew every 12 months. Kentucky LPN licenses renew annually on a fixed calendar cycle (not birth-month based). The online renewal window opens September 15 and the license must be renewed by midnight Eastern Time on October 31 each year, or it lapses.

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

Approximately 14 continuing-education hours per cycle. LPNs must earn 14 approved continuing education contact hours during the November 1 - October 31 earning period. An alternative pathway allows 7 contact hours plus a satisfactory employment evaluation covering at least 6 months of the earning period (using the KBN Nursing CE Employment Evaluation Form). Other substitutes count toward the requirement (national certification, post-licensure college coursework at 15 contact hours per credit, serving as a preceptor for 120+ hours, peer-reviewed publication, or presenting CE). One-time content-specific CE requirements (to be completed within 3 years of licensure) include domestic violence, pediatric abusive head trauma, suicide prevention, Alzheimer's/dementia, and LPN infusion therapy; exact hours for each are published on the board's content-specific CE page. CE records must be kept for five years for audit. Confirm the current requirement with the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

Can I renew my Kentucky LPN license online?

Yes — Kentucky offers online renewal through the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Kentucky LPN license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Kentucky Board of Nursing promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

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