RN License Renewal in Virginia (2026)

RN license renewal in Virginia is handled by the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions), which requires Registered Nurse (RN)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.

Virginia RN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Biennial, by the last day of the licensee's birth month. Nurses born in even years renew in even years; those born in odd years renew in odd years.
CE hours required	See board
Renewal fee	$140.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions)

Go to the official Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions). manual review of Virginia DHP nursing renewal pages and 18VAC90-19-30.

Continuing-education requirements for RNs in Virginia

Virginia uses continued-competency options rather than a fixed CE-hour mandate; an active-license renewer completes at least one full option per cycle. Options include current national specialty certification, 3+ credit hours of post-licensure academic nursing study, a board-approved refresher course, an evidence-based practice project, a nursing publication, course development, 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours, or 30 contact hours. Options can't be combined, and the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt.

Need approved hours? Compare Virginia RN CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your RN license in Virginia

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) 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: Continued-competency rules apply only to active licenses; inactive renewal has lower fees. Fee per 18VAC90-19-30. The board does not run a CE-tracking system. Reinstatement after a longer lapse carries separate fees.

RN license renewal in Virginia: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my RN license in Virginia?

Virginia RN licenses renew every 24 months. Biennial, by the last day of the licensee's birth month. Nurses born in even years renew in even years; those born in odd years renew in odd years.

Can I renew my Virginia RN license online?

Yes — Virginia offers online renewal through the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Virginia RN license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $50 may apply. Contact the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Registered Nurse (RN) renewal