If you hold a Vermont RN license, the Vermont Board of Nursing requires you to satisfy one of several renewal options each two-year cycle. The most common is 20 contact hours of continuing education, but you can also document practice hours (400 hours in two years or 960 hours in five years), hold a nationally recognized nursing certification, or complete an initial or re-entry nursing program within the last five years. Below is the full breakdown of what you need and when it is due.
20 hours (one option)
20 contact hours of CE is the most common renewal option.
Practice-hour option
400 hours in two years or 960 hours in five years.
Certification alternative
A nationally recognized nursing certification also satisfies renewal.
Renews March 31 (odd years)
Vermont RN licenses expire March 31 of odd-numbered years.
How Vermont RN renewal works
Vermont lets RNs choose among several pathways every two years: 20 contact hours of CE; practice hours (400 in two years or 960 in five); a nationally recognized nursing certification; or completion of an initial or re-entry nursing program within the last five years.
Mandated subject requirements
Vermont does not currently mandate specific CE subject hours for RNs beyond the overall renewal requirement. Confirm current rules with the Board.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Vermont RN licenses renew every two years, expiring March 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewal applications open six weeks before expiration.
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View pricingVermont Registered Nurses (RN) CME at a glance
Always confirm with your licensing board
Vermont RN licenses renew biennially, expiring March 31 of odd-numbered years. RNs may satisfy renewal with one of several options: 20 contact hours of CE; OR 400 practice hours (50 days) in the last two years or 960 hours (120 days) in the last five years; OR a nationally recognized nursing certification; OR completion of an initial or re-entry nursing program within the last five years.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Vermont Board of Nursing before relying on these figures.
Source: Vermont Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation). 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 Vermont or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Vermont RN Continuing Education Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Vermont RNs need?
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20 contact hours every two years is one option; you can also use practice hours, national certification, or a recent nursing program.
Can practice hours replace CE in Vermont?
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Yes — 400 practice hours in the last two years or 960 hours in the last five years satisfies renewal.
When do Vermont RN licenses renew?
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Every two years, expiring March 31 of odd-numbered years.
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