Free Required State Nursing CE That Actually Counts a Comprehensive Guide for RNs, NPs/APRNs & LPNS of Mandated State Nursing CE
Free Required State Nursing CE That Actually Counts
We check your Board's requirements, find legitimate free options from other organizations, and only then show you what's left to complete.
Last reviewed September 23, 2026 | Reviewed by Joanna Nolte MSN, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC
Some state-mandated courses are available free from the state itself or from another trusted organization. When that's true, we'll tell you and link you straight to it. If you still need hours after that, we'll show you the Renew Now CE course that covers the rest.
We're adding states one at a time so every listing is checked by a person, not scraped. Nebraska, Texas, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington are live now.
What our labels mean
RNCE Verified Free A member of our team confirmed the course and the certificate cost $0, and a second reviewer matched it to the Board's rule.
Free from the state The state, or a provider the state designates, offers the course at no cost.
No verified free option We looked and haven't found a no-cost option that meets our standard yet.
Choose your state
Nebraska Texas Pennsylvania Utah Washington Michigan (coming soon) Georgia (coming soon)
Free mandated CE by state
| State | Requirement | Who needs it | Hours | Free option | Prefer RNCE? | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | Opiate prescribing (LB731), including 0.5 hr on the PDMP | NPs and CNMs who prescribe controlled substances | 3 per renewal | Free from Nebraska DHHS See the free modules |
Nebraska NP who need ANCC renewal Pharmacology 25 Hours | Sept 22, 2026 |
| Nebraska | 20 contact hours (one of several ways to show competency) | RNs and LPNs using the CE path | 20 in 2 years | No verified free option You may not need CE at all |
Sept 22, 2026 | |
| Texas | Human trafficking prevention (HHSC-approved course) | All nurses who provide direct patient care | Every renewal | Free from Texas HHSC See the free course |
It's free, so we don't sell it | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Texas | 20 contact hours in your area of practice | RNs and LVNs using the CE path | 20 in 2 years | No verified free option Certification can replace CE |
Texas RN/LVN 20-hr package $49 | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Texas | Nursing jurisprudence and ethics | All RNs, LVNs and APRNs | 2 every third renewal (6 years) | No verified free option | Texas Ethics & Jurisprudence Also in the $49 package |
Sept 23, 2026 |
| Texas | Older adult or geriatric care | Nurses whose practice includes older adults | 2 every renewal | No verified free option | Texas Geriatric Care Also in the $49 package |
Sept 23, 2026 |
| Texas | Forensic evidence collection | Nurses working in an emergency room (including float, agency and travel) | 2, one time | No verified free option | Not currently offered by RNCE | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Texas | Pharmacotherapeutics | APRNs with prescriptive authority | 5 every renewal | No verified free option | Texas APRN package | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Texas | Opioid and pain management | APRNs whose prescriptive authority agreement covers opioids | 2 every year | No verified free option | Texas APRN package | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Texas | Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) | APRNs authorized to access the Texas PMP | 2, one time | No verified free option | Texas APRN package | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | Child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31) | All RNs and LPNs | 2 every renewal (3 at initial licensure) | Free from PA DHS See the free course |
Must come from a state-approved provider, so RNCE can't offer it | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | Organ and tissue donation (Act 90) | All RNs and LPNs | 2, one time | Free from PA organ procurement organizations See the free options |
Must come from an organ procurement organization, so RNCE can't offer it | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | 30 contact hours (the two courses above count inside the 30) | RNs renewing after their first renewal | 30 in 2 years | No verified free option | 30-hr package $49 Covers the other 26 hours |
Sept 23, 2026 |
| Utah | Suicide prevention | RNs and LPNs | 0.5 every renewal | Free from Utah DOPL See the free trainings |
It's free, so we don't sell it | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Utah | Continuing education (one of three ways to renew) | RNs and LPNs without 400 practice hours | 15 or 30 in 2 years | No verified free option You may not need CE |
30-hr package $49 | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Utah | Controlled substance prescribing (3.5 hrs from DOPL list + 0.5 hr DOPL tutorial) | APRNs with controlled substance privileges | 4 every renewal | No verified free option DOPL tutorial portion: see below |
Not yet available from RNCE | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Washington | Health equity (includes implicit bias) | RNs and LPNs | 2 every renewal (counts inside the 8) | Free from WA DOH list See the free courses |
Use a free one | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Washington | Continuing education | RNs and LPNs | 8 every renewal, plus 96 practice hours a year | No verified free option | Sept 23, 2026 | |
| Washington | Suicide assessment, treatment and management | RNs, LPNs and ARNPs (not CRNAs) | 6, one time | No verified free option Must be a DOH-qualified program |
Check DOH list | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Washington | ARNP continuing education, in each designation | ARNPs | 30 every renewal | No verified free option | 30-hr package $49 Covers the 30 |
Sept 23, 2026 |
| Washington | Pharmacotherapeutics, in addition to the 30 | ARNPs with prescriptive authority | 15 every renewal | No verified free option | Sept 23, 2026 | |
| Washington | Opioid prescribing best practices | ARNPs who prescribe opioids | 4, one time | No verified free option | Sept 23, 2026 |
Nebraska: free CE for your 2026 renewal
Verified against Nebraska DHHS on September 22, 2026 | Reviewed by Joanna Nolte, MSN, APRN
Short answer: Nebraska NPs and CNMs who prescribe controlled substances need 3 hours of opiate prescribing CE each renewal, including half an hour on the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). Nebraska DHHS offers all of it free. Nebraska RNs and LPNs have no mandated CE topics, and several can renew without any CE at all.
On this page: Quick facts | Free opiate CE | Do I need it? | RN and LPN paths | FAQ | Sources
Quick facts
| Regulator | Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit and Board of Nursing |
| RN and APRN renewal | October 31 of even-numbered years (next: October 31, 2026) |
| LPN renewal | October 31 of odd-numbered years |
| RN and LPN CE | 20 contact hours in 2 years is one option; other competency paths are available (see below). No mandated topics. |
| NP and CNM mandate | 3 hours opiate prescribing, including 0.5 hr PDMP, if you prescribe controlled substances |
| Mandate ends | With the 2028 renewal, unless the Legislature extends it |
| Proof | You attest at renewal. DHHS runs random audits, so keep certificates totaling 3 hours. |
Free opiate prescribing CE from Nebraska DHHS
Nebraska DHHS offers three free programs that together cover the full requirement, including the PDMP half hour. Certificates are emailed after you answer the assessment questions.
| Module | Hours | Cost | Take it free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naloxone videos | 0.5 | $0 | Nebraska DHHS |
| Pain management videos (4 videos) | 2.5 | $0 | Nebraska DHHS |
| PDMP on-demand training (covers the required PDMP half hour) | 0.5 | $0 | Nebraska DHHS |
Good to know: These free modules count for your Nebraska license. DHHS notes they are not peer-reviewed and may not count toward renewing your national board certification (AANPCB, ANCC or AMCB).
Do I need the opiate CE?
- You're an NP or CNM who prescribes controlled substances: Yes, 3 hours each renewal through 2028.
- You're an NP or CNM who doesn't prescribe controlled substances: The law is written for prescribers of controlled substances. Confirm your status with DHHS before you skip it.
- You're a CRNA or CNS: This mandate isn't listed for your license type. Keep your national certification current.
- You're an RN or LPN: No, this requirement doesn't apply to you.
- NPs licensed more than five years: DHHS also requires 2,080 practice hours as an NP in the previous five years, plus current national certification.
RNs and LPNs: you may not need CE at all
Nebraska lets you meet continued competency in one of several ways. Buying 20 hours is only one of them.
- 500 practice hours in the past five years and 20 contact hours in the past two years
- Graduated from a nursing program within the last two years (no CE needed)
- Graduated two to five years ago and 20 contact hours in the past two years
- Completed an approved refresher course within the last five years
- Current national certification in a nursing specialty
- A maintained competency portfolio with current goals and evidence
Licensed as an RN or LPN within the past 24 months? CE isn't required. Current BLS or CPR counts for up to 4 hours, and ACLS, PALS, NRP or TNCC can count for the hours on your card (4 if none are listed).
Nebraska free CE: common questions
Does the free DHHS opiate course really count for my Nebraska license?
Yes. DHHS lists these programs as qualifying for the LB731 requirement. Save all three certificates in case you're audited.
Will those hours count toward my AANPCB or ANCC recertification?
Maybe not. DHHS says the programs aren't peer-reviewed and may not meet certification requirements. If you need hours that count for both, choose an accredited course.
Why is a CE company sending me to a free course?
Because it's free and it counts. We'd rather you trust us to tell you what you actually need. When you do need to buy hours, we hope you'll buy them here.
Does the half hour on the PDMP have to be Nebraska-specific?
DHHS cautions that PDMP content from out-of-state courses may not prepare you to use the Nebraska PDMP. The free DHHS video is Nebraska-specific.
Is the opiate requirement permanent?
As written, it ends with the 2028 renewal. We'll update this page if that changes.
Sources
Texas: free CE for your renewal
Verified against the Texas Board of Nursing and Texas HHSC on September 23, 2026 | Reviewed by [Name, credentials]
Short answer: Texas RNs and LVNs need 20 contact hours every two years, or a Board-approved national certification instead. Every renewal, nurses who provide direct patient care also need an HHSC-approved human trafficking course, and Texas HHSC offers one free. We haven't found verified free options for the other Texas mandates yet. Since September 1, 2026, you upload your certificates in the Texas Nurse Portal before you can renew.
On this page: Quick facts | Free human trafficking course | Do I need it? | Other ways to renew | FAQ | Sources
Quick facts
| Regulator | Texas Board of Nursing (BON) |
| Renewal | Every 2 years, by the end of your birth month |
| RN and LVN requirement | 20 contact hours in your current area of practice, or a Board-approved national certification in that area |
| Proof | For renewals on or after September 1, 2026, upload a certificate for each activity in the CE Module of the Texas Nurse Portal before you submit your renewal |
| Records | Keep certificates for at least 4 years |
| Coming in 2027 | A nutrition and metabolic health CE requirement for renewals filed on or after January 1, 2027. The Board sets the hours by rule, so the number isn't final yet. |
Free human trafficking prevention course from Texas HHSC
Texas law requires HHSC to approve human trafficking courses and to include at least one free option. That free option is HEART (Hearing, Evaluating, Activating, Resourcing and Training), an online course HHSC approves for direct-care health care providers.
| Course | Required | Cost | Take it free |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEART human trafficking prevention training | Every renewal | $0 | Texas HHSC |
Good to know: Completing HEART meets the human trafficking requirement. It only counts toward your 20 hours if the certificate lists nursing contact hours, so check yours. Save the certificate and upload it to the Nurse Portal with the rest of your CE.
Which Texas mandates apply to me?
- Every nurse in direct patient care: Human trafficking prevention, every renewal.
- Every nurse, every third renewal: 2 hours of jurisprudence and ethics. It counts inside your 20 hours.
- Your practice includes older adults: 2 hours on older adult or geriatric care every renewal, inside your 20 hours. This isn't limited to long-term care.
- You work in an emergency room, even as a float, agency or travel nurse: 2 hours of forensic evidence collection, one time, within 2 years of starting that work.
- APRNs with prescriptive authority: 5 hours of pharmacotherapeutics every renewal. Add 2 hours of opioid and pain management every year if your prescriptive authority agreement covers opioids, and a one-time 2 hours on the PMP if you're authorized to access it.
You may not need to buy 20 hours
- National certification: Achieving or maintaining a Board-approved national nursing certification in your area of practice can replace the 20 contact hours.
- First renewal: Texas waives the continuing competency requirement for your first renewal after initial licensure, as long as you renew on time. The one-time forensic requirement can still apply if you work in an ER.
Using the CE path? Take the free human trafficking course above, then finish your 20 hours in one place. Our package includes jurisprudence and ethics plus geriatric care, with PDF certificates ready to upload to the Nurse Portal.
Texas free CE: common questions
Does the free HHSC course really satisfy the human trafficking requirement?
Yes. The course must be HHSC-approved, and HEART is approved for direct-care health care providers.
Is there a free jurisprudence and ethics course?
We haven't verified one that meets our standard. If we find one, we'll list it here.
Do I need jurisprudence and ethics this renewal?
Only every third renewal, which is every 6 years. Taking it early still counts toward your 20 hours.
Why doesn't RNCE sell a human trafficking course for Texas?
Because the state gives you one for free. We'd rather point you to it.
Sources
Pennsylvania: free CE for your renewal
Verified against the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing on [date] | Reviewed by [Name, credentials]
Short answer: Pennsylvania RNs need 30 contact hours every two years, and 4 of those hours must come from state-approved providers: 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting every renewal, and a one-time 2 hours on organ and tissue donation. Both are available free. At your first renewal after initial licensure, you owe only the child abuse training.
On this page: Quick facts | Free courses | First renewal | FAQ | Sources
Quick facts
| Regulator | Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (Department of State) |
| RN requirement | 30 contact hours every 2 years, completed in the biennial period right before renewal |
| Child abuse (Act 31) | 2 hours every renewal, 3 hours at initial licensure, from a provider approved by PA DHS or the Department of State. Counts inside the 30. |
| Organ and tissue donation (Act 90) | 2 hours, one time, within 5 years of initial licensure or renewal, effective May 1, 2026. Must come from an organ procurement organization. Counts inside the 30. |
| First renewal | Exempt from the 30 hours; child abuse training still required |
Free Pennsylvania mandated courses
| Course | Hours | Cost | Take it free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child abuse recognition and reporting (PA DHS with the University of Pittsburgh) | 3 (covers initial and renewal) | $0 | PA DHS |
| Organ and tissue donation, eastern PA | 2 | $0 | Gift of Life Donor Program |
| Organ and tissue donation, western PA | 2 | $0 | Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) |
Good to know: Completion of the free DHS child abuse training is reported to the Department of State automatically. Renew Now CE can't provide either of these courses, because Pennsylvania requires them to come from specific approved providers.
First renewal? You probably don't need to buy CE yet
At the first renewal after your initial Pennsylvania license, you're exempt from the 30-hour requirement and owe only the 2-hour child abuse training, which you can take free above. Hours you buy now won't carry into your next cycle, so check your renewal status in PALS before purchasing.
Renewing after your first cycle? Take the two free courses above, then finish the remaining 26 hours with our ANCC-accredited 30-hour package.
Pennsylvania free CE: common questions
Do the free courses count toward my 30 hours?
Yes. The child abuse and organ donation hours count inside your 30, so you need 26 more.
Why can't I get these courses from Renew Now CE?
Pennsylvania requires child abuse training from a DHS or Department of State approved provider and organ donation training from an organ procurement organization. The free options above meet those rules.
Is the organ donation course every renewal?
No. It's a one-time 2 hours.
Sources
Utah: free CE for your renewal
Verified against Utah DOPL on [date] | Reviewed by [Name, credentials]
Short answer: Utah RNs and LPNs complete a free suicide prevention training from DOPL at every renewal, and it counts toward their CE. Many Utah nurses need little or no other CE: 400 practice hours in two years meets the requirement on its own. APRNs with controlled substance privileges need 4 hours of prescribing education each renewal.
On this page: Quick facts | Free trainings | Do I need CE? | APRNs | FAQ | Sources
Quick facts
| Regulator | Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) |
| RN renewal | January 31 of odd-numbered years |
| LPN and APRN renewal | January 31 of even-numbered years |
| RN and LPN requirement | 400 practice hours, or 200 practice hours plus 15 CE hours, or 30 CE hours, all within the past 2 years |
| Suicide prevention | At least one DOPL online training every renewal, 0.5 credit, counts toward CE |
| APRN controlled substance | 4 hours each renewal: 3.5 from a DOPL-approved course plus 0.5 from the DOPL online tutorial |
Free Utah suicide prevention trainings from DOPL
Pick any one of these three. DOPL confirms they qualify for CE credit.
| Course | Hours | Cost | Take it free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suicide Safety Planning with Patients | 0.5 | $0 | Utah DOPL |
| Talking to Patients About Suicide | 0.5 | $0 | Utah DOPL |
| Counseling on Access to Lethal Means | 0.5 | $0 | Utah DOPL |
Do I need to buy CE?
- 400 or more practice hours in the past 2 years: No CE needed beyond the free suicide prevention training.
- 200 to 399 practice hours: 15 hours of approved CE. The free half hour counts toward it.
- Fewer than 200 practice hours: 30 hours of approved CE, including the free half hour.
Need CE hours? Take the free DOPL training, then complete your remaining hours with our ANCC-accredited 30-hour package.
Utah APRNs
- You renew by holding current certification or re-certification in your specialty.
- With controlled substance privileges, you also complete 4 hours of prescribing education each renewal: 3.5 hours from a course on DOPL's approved list, plus DOPL's own 0.5-hour online controlled substance tutorial.
- The 3.5 hours must come from DOPL's approved course list. We haven't verified a free course on that list yet.
Utah free CE: common questions
Does the free suicide prevention training count toward my CE hours?
Yes. DOPL confirms these trainings qualify for CE credit, so the half hour counts toward your total.
Do I need suicide prevention training if I have 400 practice hours?
Yes. It's required at every renewal, whichever way you meet the rest of the requirement.
Why doesn't RNCE sell a Utah suicide prevention course?
Because DOPL offers three for free. We'd rather point you to them.
Sources
Washington: free CE for your renewal
Verified against the Washington State Board of Nursing and WA DOH on September 23, 2026 | Reviewed by [Name, credentials]
Short answer: Washington RNs and LPNs need 8 CE hours each renewal, and 2 of them must be health equity. The Washington Department of Health lists free health equity courses, so those 2 hours can cost nothing. ARNPs need 30 CE hours each renewal, and ARNPs with prescriptive authority need 15 pharmacotherapeutics hours on top of that, for 45 total.
On this page: Quick facts | Free health equity CE | Do I need it? | ARNPs | FAQ | Sources
Quick facts
| Regulator | Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) |
| RN and LPN | 8 CE hours each renewal period, 2 of them health equity, plus 96 practice hours every year |
| Health equity deadline | Current RNs and LPNs by their 2026 renewal, then every renewal. New licensees by their second renewal. |
| Suicide prevention | One-time 6 hours from a DOH-qualified program |
| ARNP | 30 CE hours each renewal in each designation, plus active RN license and current national certification |
| ARNP prescribers | 15 pharmacotherapeutics hours in addition to the 30. One-time 4 hours on opioid prescribing if you prescribe opioids. |
| Carryover | None. Hours must be earned in the current renewal period. |
Free health equity CE from the Washington DOH list
The Board of Nursing points nurses to the Department of Health's list of free trainings that meet the health equity rules. Two of them fit the 2-hour requirement on their own:
| Course | Hours | Cost | Take it free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Implicit Bias in Healthcare (online self-study) | 2 | $0 | washington-health-equity-ce.com |
| Advancing Health Equity through Cultural Humility (self-paced) | [confirm] | $0 | AHEC of Western Washington |
Good to know: Washington nurses need 2 health equity hours every renewal, which is more often than the DOH's general once-every-four-years minimum. Keep your certificate; the Board may ask for it at renewal. See the full DOH free list for other options.
Which Washington requirements apply to me?
- Every RN and LPN: 8 CE hours each renewal, including 2 health equity hours, plus 96 practice hours a year.
- RNs, LPNs and ARNPs (except CRNAs): a one-time 6-hour suicide assessment, treatment and management training. It must come from a program on the DOH qualified list.
- Every ARNP: 30 CE hours each renewal in each designation you hold.
- ARNPs with prescriptive authority: 15 pharmacotherapeutics hours each renewal, separate from the 30.
- ARNPs who prescribe opioids: a one-time 4 hours on opioid prescribing best practices.
Washington ARNPs: how the hours add up
Washington doesn't let your 15 prescribing pharmacology hours count toward your 30 ARNP hours. If you prescribe, you need 45 hours in total.
- Don't prescribe: our 30-hour package covers your 30 ARNP hours.
- Prescribe: our 30-hour package covers the 30, then add 15 pharmacotherapeutics hours that aren't part of that package.
Washington ARNP? The 30-hour package is ANCC-accredited and built around primary care pharmacology, heart failure and obesity management.
Washington free CE: common questions
Does a free DOH-listed health equity course count toward my 8 hours?
Yes. Health equity hours count inside the 8. Keep the certificate in case the Board asks for it.
Can my 30-hour package pharmacology hours double as my 15 prescribing hours?
No. Washington rules say the 30 ARNP hours can't include the 15 pharmacotherapeutics hours required for prescriptive authority.
Do I have to repeat the 6-hour suicide training?
No. It's a one-time requirement.
Can extra hours carry into my next renewal?
No. Washington requires hours to be completed within the renewal period.
Sources
How we verify free CE
We don't use "free" loosely. Before a course gets the RNCE Verified Free label, someone on our team takes it the way you would and confirms that the course, the CE credit, and the certificate all cost $0. A second reviewer then checks that it meets the requirement for the license listed, going to the state's own sources: the Board or licensing agency, the statute or rule, and any Board guidance, including effective dates and which license types it applies to.
When the state itself offers a free option, we list it first. We date every listing, because courses, prices, and rules change. If we can't confirm a course is actually free and actually counts, we don't label it free.
Our reviewers are licensed clinicians. Nurses review nursing requirements, and pharmacists review pharmacy requirements. This page was last reviewed by [Name, credentials].
Spot something out of date? Tell us and we'll recheck it.
Important: Always confirm current requirements with your state Board of Nursing. Renew Now CE is not affiliated with any state Board.