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State Cert Guide

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How many CE hours does an RN need to renew in Pennsylvania?

If you hold a Pennsylvania RN license, the Board's snapshot lists 30 hours of continuing education for each two-year renewal. Two of those hours must be approved training on recognizing and reporting child abuse. Beginning May 1, 2026, all RNs also complete 2 hours on organ donation, once within 5 years.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
30 hours, with 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting trainingThe RN snapshot lists this for each renewal, which comes every two years.
Verified. www.pa.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Who needs it
2 hours of organ donation education once within 5 years, beginning May 1, 2026The snapshot adds this topic for all RNs.
Same source and date as above
Cost
The renewal fee is $122.00 every two yearsThis is the license fee, not a course price.
Same source and date as above
Valid for
A renewal notice is sent every two years before the license expiresNot receiving the notice does not excuse you from renewing by the expiration date.
Verified. www.pa.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check which license you hold. The Board's snapshot covers registered nurses. It lists 30 hours of CE for each two-year renewal, and 2 of them are approved training on recognizing and reporting child abuse.

  2. Step 2. Find the courses the Board names. Its renewal page lists, among its CE requirements for renewal, organ and tissue donation CE, the mandated child abuse reporter training under Act 31 of 2014, the requirements for CRNPs with prescriptive authority under Act 124 of 2016 and opioid education for renewals submitted after July 1, 2017.

  3. Step 3. Take the hours. Beginning May 1, 2026, the snapshot also asks all RNs for 2 hours on organ donation, one time within 5 years.

Before you pay

We haven't confirmed the rule for licensed practical nurses or any course price, because the snapshot we read covers registered nurses. Before you pay for a course, check that it is the one the Board names for that requirement.

Questions

Does a first license need child abuse training too?

Yes. The snapshot says an applicant for an initial license must complete 3 hours of approved training in how to recognize and report child abuse.

Do I need a Pennsylvania license if I hold a multistate license?

Not if you hold a multistate RN or PN license from a Nurse Licensure Compact state and legally practice in Pennsylvania under that privilege. The Board also says a previous Pennsylvania single-state license cannot be renewed while you maintain and practice under your multistate license.

Does converting to a multistate license change my renewal date?

No. The Board says converting a Pennsylvania single-state RN license to a multistate license does not change the license expiration date. The conversion updates only the status of the license.

How soon must I report a new address?

The Board requires you to update your address within 14 days of any change. It mails the license to the address on record, and the post office will not forward it.

What to do next

Start with the Pennsylvania Department of State nursing renewal page. Check your own license there before you pay for a course.

www.pa.gov

Sources we read