If you hold a Virginia RN license, the Virginia Board of Nursing requires you to complete at least one approved continued-competency learning activity each two-year renewal cycle. The most common option is 30 contact hours of continuing education, but you can also combine 15 contact hours with 640 practice hours, hold a current national specialty certification, complete three credit hours of post-licensure academic education, or teach/develop nursing courses. Below is the full breakdown of what counts and when it is due.
30 hours (one option)
30 contact hours of CE is the most common continued-competency activity.
15 hours + 640 practice
An alternative combining CE and practice hours.
Certification alternative
A current national specialty certification satisfies the requirement.
Biennial renewal
Virginia RN licenses renew every two years.
How Virginia RN continued competency works
Virginia requires at least one approved continued-competency activity every two years. Options include 30 contact hours of CE; 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours; current national specialty certification; three credit hours of post-licensure academic education; or teaching/developing nursing courses.
Mandated subject requirements
Virginia does not mandate specific CE subject hours for RNs beyond the overall continued-competency requirement. Confirm current rules with the Board.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Virginia RN licenses renew every two years. Complete your chosen continued-competency activity before renewing and retain documentation in case of audit.
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View pricingVirginia Registered Nurses (RN) CME at a glance
Always confirm with your licensing board
Virginia RN licenses renew biennially. RNs must complete at least one approved continued-competency learning activity each cycle. Options include: 30 contact hours of CE; OR 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours; OR current national specialty certification; OR three credit hours of post-licensure academic education; OR teaching/developing nursing courses.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Virginia Board of Nursing before relying on these figures.
Source: Virginia 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 Virginia or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Virginia RN Continuing Education Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Virginia RNs need?
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30 contact hours every two years is one option; you can also combine 15 contact hours with 640 practice hours or choose another approved activity.
Can certification replace CE in Virginia?
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Yes — a current national specialty certification satisfies the continued-competency requirement.
When do Virginia RN licenses renew?
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Every two years.
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