Kentucky Continuing Education Requirements

• Proof of earning fourteen (14) approved contact hours; OR
• Proof of earning seven (7) approved contact hours, PLUS a nursing employment evaluation that is satisfactory for continued employment. Evaluation must be signed by the nurse's supervisor and include the employer's name, address, and phone number. The evaluation must cover at least six (6) months of the earning period (November 1 - October 31); OR
• Current national certification or recertification related to the nurse’s practice role in effect during the entire period, or initially earned or renewed during the period (does not include clinical certifications such as ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc...); OR
• Successful completion of a post-licensure academic course at a college, university, or post-secondary vocational institution. Must be relevant to nursing practice (e.g. nursing course designated by a nursing course number and beyond the prelicensure curriculum) OR an academic course applicable to the nurse's role and beyond the prelicensure curriculum. The course must have been completed during the earning period with an awarded grade of "C" or better, or a grade of "pass" on a pass-fail grading system. Calculation of contact hours: One (1) semester or trimester hour of academic credit = 15 contact hours; One (1) quarter hour of academic credit = 12 contact hours. May request course review for approval of applicable nursing content pursuant to 201 KAR 20:215 Section 7; OR
• Participation as a preceptor for at least one nursing student or new employee. Must be for at least 120 hours, have a one-to-one relationship with student or employee, may precept more than one student during the 120 hours. Preceptorship shall be evidenced by written documentation from the educational institution or preceptor’s supervisor; OR
• Publication of an article in a peer-reviewed, health-related journal; OR
• A nursing continuing education presentation that is designed and developed by the presenter, presented to nurses or other health professionals, is evidenced by a program brochure, course syllabi, or a letter from the offering provider identifying the licensee as the presenter of the offering; and offered by a provider approved pursuant to 201 KAR 20:220. The number of contact hours earned shall be twice the number of contact hours offered to presentation attendees; OR
• Completion of a nursing research project as principal investigator, co-investigator, or project director. Must be qualitative or quantitative in nature, utilize research methodology, and increases knowledge resulting in improved outcomes or changes in behavior. Submission must include a project abstract and a summary of the findings.

• 1.5 contact hours "Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma" or "Shaken Baby Syndrome" (One-time only requirement). (ONLY applies to nurses educated outside of Kentucky.) Retain documentation until retirement.
• 3 contact hours of Domestic Violence (One-time only requirement). Retain documentation until retirement. (ONLY applies to nurses seeking reinstatement, licensure by endorsement from another state, and examination candidates educated outside of Kentucky.)
• Effective January 13, 2022 Pursuant to 201 KAR 20:215 Continuing competency requirements all RNs, LPNs, and APRNs must complete the following contact hours:
  • Suicide Prevention (2)
  • Implicit Bias (1.5)
  • Nurses who hold an active license on July 1, 2022 must complete the hours by July 1, 2023.
    Nurses who obtain a license by examination, endorsement, or reinstatement after July 1, 2022 must complete these hours within 3 years of licensure.
  • These are one-time requirements and will not need to be repeated. RNs and LPNs may apply these contact hours to their annual CE requirements for the earning period in which they are completed. APRNs will not be able to apply these hours to their annual CE requirements, as they do not include pharmacology content.

• 5 contact hours Sexual Assault Forensic Medicine OR Domestic Violence from KBN approved providers each licensure period. These hours may count as part of the required 14 contact hours of CE needed for renewal of the RN license. Retain documentation for at least 5 years.

• Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Intimate Partner Violence
• Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome)
• Implicit Bias in Healthcare-2hr

• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
• LPN Scope for IV Therapy

• Proof of earning fourteen (14) approved contact hours; OR
• Proof of earning seven (7) approved contact hours, PLUS a nursing employment evaluation that is satisfactory for continued employment. Evaluation must be signed by the nurse's supervisor and include the employer's name, address, and phone number. The evaluation must cover at least six (6) months of the earning period (November 1 - October 31); OR
• Current national certification or recertification related to the nurse’s practice role in effect during the entire period, or initially earned or renewed during the period (does not include clinical certifications such as ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc...); OR
• Successful completion of a post-licensure academic course at a college, university, or post-secondary vocational institution. Must be relevant to nursing practice (e.g. nursing course designated by a nursing course number and beyond the prelicensure curriculum) OR an academic course applicable to the nurse's role and beyond the prelicensure curriculum. The course must have been completed during the earning period with an awarded grade of "C" or better, or a grade of "pass" on a pass-fail grading system. Calculation of contact hours: One (1) semester or trimester hour of academic credit = 15 contact hours; One (1) quarter hour of academic credit = 12 contact hours. May request course review for approval of applicable nursing content pursuant to 201 KAR 20:215 Section 7; OR
• Participation as a preceptor for at least one nursing student or new employee. Must be for at least 120 hours, have a one-to-one relationship with student or employee, may precept more than one student during the 120 hours. Preceptorship shall be evidenced by written documentation from the educational institution or preceptor’s supervisor; OR
• Publication of an article in a peer-reviewed, health-related journal; OR
• A nursing continuing education presentation that is designed and developed by the presenter, presented to nurses or other health professionals, is evidenced by a program brochure, course syllabi, or a letter from the offering provider identifying the licensee as the presenter of the offering; and offered by a provider approved pursuant to 201 KAR 20:220. The number of contact hours earned shall be twice the number of contact hours offered to presentation attendees; OR
• Completion of a nursing research project as principal investigator, co-investigator, or project director. Must be qualitative or quantitative in nature, utilize research methodology, and increases knowledge resulting in improved outcomes or changes in behavior. Submission must include a project abstract and a summary of the findings.

• Suicide Prevention (2)
• Implicit Bias (1.5)

• 5 contact hours Sexual Assault Forensic Medicine OR Domestic Violence from KBN approved providers each licensure period. Retain documentation for at least 5 years.

• Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Intimate Partner Violence
• Pain Assessment and Management
• Substance Abuse
• Implicit Bias in Healthcare-2hr

• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
• LPN Scope for IV Therapy

• Proof of earning fourteen (14) approved contact hours; OR
• Proof of earning seven (7) approved contact hours, PLUS a nursing employment evaluation that is satisfactory for continued employment. Evaluation must be signed by the nurse's supervisor and include the employer's name, address, and phone number. The evaluation must cover at least six (6) months of the earning period (November 1 - October 31); OR
• Current national certification or recertification related to the nurse’s practice role in effect during the entire period, or initially earned or renewed during the period (does not include clinical certifications such as ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc...); OR
• Successful completion of a post-licensure academic course at a college, university, or post-secondary vocational institution. Must be relevant to nursing practice (e.g. nursing course designated by a nursing course number and beyond the prelicensure curriculum) OR an academic course applicable to the nurse's role and beyond the prelicensure curriculum. The course must have been completed during the earning period with an awarded grade of "C" or better, or a grade of "pass" on a pass-fail grading system. Calculation of contact hours: One (1) semester or trimester hour of academic credit = 15 contact hours; One (1) quarter hour of academic credit = 12 contact hours. May request course review for approval of applicable nursing content pursuant to 201 KAR 20:215 Section 7; OR
• Participation as a preceptor for at least one nursing student or new employee. Must be for at least 120 hours, have a one-to-one relationship with student or employee, may precept more than one student during the 120 hours. Preceptorship shall be evidenced by written documentation from the educational institution or preceptor’s supervisor; OR
• Publication of an article in a peer-reviewed, health-related journal; OR
• A nursing continuing education presentation that is designed and developed by the presenter, presented to nurses or other health professionals, is evidenced by a program brochure, course syllabi, or a letter from the offering provider identifying the licensee as the presenter of the offering; and offered by a provider approved pursuant to 201 KAR 20:220. The number of contact hours earned shall be twice the number of contact hours offered to presentation attendees; OR
• Completion of a nursing research project as principal investigator, co-investigator, or project director. Must be qualitative or quantitative in nature, utilize research methodology, and increases knowledge resulting in improved outcomes or changes in behavior. Submission must include a project abstract and a summary of the findings.

• 1.5 contact hours "Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma" or "Shaken Baby Syndrome" (one time only requirement). Retain documentation until retirement.
• 3 contact hours of Domestic Violence (one time only requirement). Retain documentation until retirement. (ONLY applies to nurses seeking reinstatement, licensure by endorsement from another state, and examination candidates educated outside of Kentucky.)
• Effective January 13, 2022 Pursuant to 201 KAR 20:215 Continuing competency requirements all RNs, LPNs, and APRNs must complete the following contact hours:
  • Suicide Prevention (2)
  • Implicit Bias (1.5)
  • Nurses who hold an active license on July 1, 2022 must complete the hours by July 1, 2023.
    Nurses who obtain a license by examination, endorsement, or reinstatement after July 1, 2022 must complete these hours within 3 years of licensure.
  • These are one-time requirements and will not need to be repeated. RNs and LPNs may apply these contact hours to their annual CE requirements for the earning period in which they are completed. APRNs will not be able to apply these hours to their annual CE requirements, as they do not include pharmacology content.

• 5 contact hours Sexual Assault Forensic Medicine OR Domestic Violence from KBN approved providers each licensure period. Retain documentation for at least 5 years.

• Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Intimate Partner Violence
• Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome)
• Implicit Bias in Healthcare-2hr

• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
• LPN Scope for IV Therapy

• Proof of employment may be a copy of a pay stub, a W-2 form, or a letter from an employer.  The name of the facility must be imprinted on the proof of employment.
• Renewal notifications are mailed two (2) months prior to the expiration date of active status to the address listed in the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry (KNAR) database.

Physical Therapists must complete 30 hours of continued competency activities prior to renewing their credential biennially. 

See here for Continued competency requirements and procedures

Physical Therapist Assistants must complete 20 hours of continued competency activities prior to renewing their credential biennially. 

See here for Continued competency requirements and procedures

• Suicide Prevention: Identify and Treat at Risk Patients

• Suicide Prevention: Identify and Treat at Risk Patients

1. Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure; or
2. Board of Certification, Inc.

• ACCS for the first time takers will be worth 4 ceus