If you hold a Rhode Island RN license, the Rhode Island Board of Nursing requires 10 contact hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle. Of those, at least 2 hours must relate to substance abuse. Every nurse must also complete a one-time 1-hour course on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias during their career. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
10 hours / 2 years
Ten contact hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Substance abuse (2 hrs)
At least 2 of the 10 hours must relate to substance abuse.
Alzheimer's (one-time)
A one-time 1-hour Alzheimer's and dementia course is required during your career.
Renews March 1
Rhode Island RN licenses renew every two years on March 1.
How many CE hours Rhode Island RNs need
Rhode Island requires 10 contact hours every two years, tied to your biennial license renewal. Mandated topic hours count toward that total.
Mandated subject requirements
- Substance abuse: at least 2 of the 10 hours each renewal.
- Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: a one-time 1-hour course during your career.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Rhode Island RN licenses renew every two years, expiring March 1. Complete and document your 10 hours before that date.
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View pricingRhode Island Registered Nurses (RN) CME at a glance
- Substance Abuse2 hrs · every renewal
At least 2 of the 10 contact hours must relate to substance abuse (counts toward the 10-hour total).
- Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia1 hr · one time
Every nurse must complete a one-time 1-hour course on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias during their career (counts toward the 10-hour total).
Always confirm with your licensing board
Rhode Island RN licenses renew biennially, expiring March 1. RNs must complete 10 contact hours of CE per cycle, including at least 2 hours related to substance abuse. Every nurse must also complete a one-time 1-hour course on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias during their career.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Rhode Island Board of Nursing before relying on these figures.
Source: Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education (Department of Health). 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 Rhode Island or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Rhode Island RN Continuing Education Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Rhode Island RNs need?
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10 contact hours every two years.
Does Rhode Island require substance abuse training?
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Yes — at least 2 of the 10 contact hours must relate to substance abuse.
Is Alzheimer's training required in Rhode Island?
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Yes — every nurse must complete a one-time 1-hour course on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias during their career.
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