LPN License Renewal in North Dakota (2026)

LPN license renewal in North Dakota is handled by the North Dakota 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 Dakota LPN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Biennial fixed cycle. Practical nurse licenses are valid for two calendar years and must be renewed before December 31 of the second year; online renewal opens October 1 and closes December 31 of the renewal year. LPN licenses expire in even-numbered years.
CE hours required	12 hours
Renewal fee	$130.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	North Dakota Board of Nursing

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

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

Continuing-education requirements for LPNs in North Dakota

Per NDAC 54-02-05-08, relicensure requires at least 12 contact hours of board-approved or board-recognized continuing education within the preceding two years. The same requirement applies to RNs and LPNs (the rule references the "licensee"). No specific mandatory topics are prescribed. Excess hours cannot be carried forward, and CE ordered by the board as discipline does not count. Separately, NDAC 54-02-05-05.1 requires at least 400 hours of nursing practice within the preceding four years for renewal. Applicants renewing for the first time after initial licensure by exam are deemed to have met CE through their academic coursework.

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

How to renew your LPN license in North Dakota

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the North Dakota Board of Nursing portal.
Complete the required 12 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 "Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)" — not applicable in North Dakota. Verified against NDAC Chapter 54-02-05 (Relicensure): renewal fee for the practical nurse license is $130 (RN is $140); $10 of the fee goes to the Nursing Education Loan fund. Late renewal fee (if renewing in January after a Dec 31 expiration) is double the renewal fee, i.e. $260 for LPN, per the FY2025 fee schedule. NDBON manages all CE audits through its internal licensing system and does NOT require a third-party vendor such as CE Broker. Renewal is completed online through the Nurse Portal. Renewal requires both the 12 CE contact hours and 400 nursing practice hours in the prior four years.

LPN license renewal in North Dakota: frequently asked questions

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

North Dakota LPN licenses renew every 24 months. Biennial fixed cycle. Practical nurse licenses are valid for two calendar years and must be renewed before December 31 of the second year; online renewal opens October 1 and closes December 31 of the renewal year. LPN licenses expire in even-numbered years.

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

Approximately 12 continuing-education hours per cycle. Per NDAC 54-02-05-08, relicensure requires at least 12 contact hours of board-approved or board-recognized continuing education within the preceding two years. The same requirement applies to RNs and LPNs (the rule references the "licensee"). No specific mandatory topics are prescribed. Excess hours cannot be carried forward, and CE ordered by the board as discipline does not count. Separately, NDAC 54-02-05-05.1 requires at least 400 hours of nursing practice within the preceding four years for renewal. Applicants renewing for the first time after initial licensure by exam are deemed to have met CE through their academic coursework. Confirm the current requirement with the North Dakota Board of Nursing.

Can I renew my North Dakota LPN license online?

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

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

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $260 may apply. Contact the North Dakota Board of Nursing promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

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