If you hold a Kentucky RN license, the Kentucky Board of Nursing requires 14 KBN-approved contact hours each year, with renewal running September 15 through October 31. In addition, several one-time mandated courses — domestic violence, pediatric abusive head trauma, and suicide prevention — must be completed within three years of your initial Kentucky licensure (some with exemptions based on where and when you graduated). Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
14 hours / year
Fourteen KBN-approved contact hours each annual renewal.
Domestic violence (one-time)
One-time 3-hour course, with graduation-based exemptions.
Pediatric head trauma (one-time)
One-time 1.5-hour course, with graduation-based exemptions.
Suicide prevention (one-time)
One-time 2-hour course within three years of licensure.
How many CE hours Kentucky RNs need
Kentucky requires 14 KBN-approved contact hours every year, tied to the annual renewal window of September 15 through October 31. A board-approved competency alternative (such as national certification or qualifying nursing employment) may substitute for the annual hours.
Mandated subject requirements
- Domestic violence: one-time 3-hour course (exempt for certain Kentucky graduates).
- Pediatric abusive head trauma: one-time 1.5-hour course (exempt for certain Kentucky graduates).
- Suicide prevention: one-time 2-hour course within three years of licensure.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Kentucky RN licenses renew annually, with the renewal window running September 15 through October 31. Complete and document your 14 hours before the deadline.
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View pricingKentucky Registered Nurses (RN) CME at a glance
- Domestic Violence3 hrs · one time
A one-time 3-hour domestic violence course is required for nurses who graduated from a nursing program outside Kentucky or from a Kentucky program before May 1998; due within three years of initial licensure.
- Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma1.5 hrs · one time
A one-time 1.5-hour pediatric abusive head trauma course is required for nurses who graduated from a nursing program outside Kentucky or from a Kentucky program before December 2011; due within three years of initial licensure.
- Suicide Prevention2 hrs · one time
A one-time 2-hour suicide prevention course is required within three years of initial Kentucky licensure.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Kentucky RN licenses renew annually, with the renewal window running September 15 through October 31. RNs must complete 14 KBN-approved contact hours each year (or a qualifying competency alternative such as a board-approved national certification or nursing employment). Several one-time mandated courses must be completed within three years of initial Kentucky licensure.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Kentucky Board of Nursing before relying on these figures.
Source: Kentucky Board of Nursing. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Nurse Licensure Compact: active. Active. One multistate RN/LPN license from the home state authorizes practice in member states; practice-state requirements (including CE) may still overlay.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Also licensing in Kentucky or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Kentucky RN Continuing Education Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Kentucky RNs need?
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14 KBN-approved contact hours each year.
Does Kentucky require suicide prevention training?
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Yes — a one-time 2-hour suicide prevention course is required within three years of initial Kentucky licensure.
When do Kentucky RN licenses renew?
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Annually, with a renewal window of September 15 through October 31.
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