LPN License Renewal in North Carolina (2026)

LPN license renewal in North Carolina is handled by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, 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.

North Carolina LPN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	LPN licenses are valid for two years and expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month. The renewal application opens in the Nurse Portal 90 days before expiration; if not renewed by the last day of the birth month, the license is automatically placed on expired status.
CE hours required	See board
Renewal fee	$100.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	North Carolina Board of Nursing

Go to the official North Carolina Board of Nursing renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the North Carolina Board of Nursing. automated research workflow (official north-carolina Board of Nursing), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for LPNs in North Carolina

North Carolina uses a continuing-competence framework rather than a single fixed CE-hours mandate. At renewal, every licensee attests to completing a self-assessment, developing a learning plan, and completing one of several approved learning activity options during the cycle. Options include a practice-hours-plus-CE pathway (15 contact hours plus 640 hours of active practice within the prior 2 years), a CE-only pathway (30 contact hours of continuing education related to the nurse's practice), national certification/re-certification by a Board-recognized body, and other options (e.g., academic coursework, board-approved refresher, nursing project/publication). Employer-sponsored CE may count for no more than 50% of contact hours; activities must be at least 30 minutes with a learning objective. Evidence is submitted only if specifically requested/audited by the Board. No specific mandatory topics are required.

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

How to renew your LPN license in North Carolina

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the North Carolina Board of Nursing 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: Credential is "Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)" in NC; only California and Texas use the "Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)" term. ce_hours_required is null because NC requires one of several continuing-competence options rather than a single mandated contact-hour figure; the lowest-hour pathway is 15 contact hours combined with 640 practice hours, while the CE-only pathway is 30 contact hours. Renewal fee of $100 is consistent across multiple secondary sources but was not directly extractable from the official NCBON fee-schedule page during this research (page returned 403 to direct fetch); treat the fee as likely-accurate but secondary-sourced. Late fee left null — NC does not charge a separate late renewal fee; instead a lapsed license moves to expired status requiring reinstatement ($100 inactive / $180 expired). No CE Broker tracking — submission of continuing-competence evidence only when audited.

LPN license renewal in North Carolina: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my LPN license in North Carolina?

North Carolina LPN licenses renew every 24 months. LPN licenses are valid for two years and expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month. The renewal application opens in the Nurse Portal 90 days before expiration; if not renewed by the last day of the birth month, the license is automatically placed on expired status.

Can I renew my North Carolina LPN license online?

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

What happens if I let my North Carolina LPN license expire?

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

Renew the same license in another state

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