Kentucky Nursing CE Requirements

Everything you need to know about completing continuing education for Kentucky nursing license renewal — required hours, mandatory topics, deadlines, and where to take your CEUs online.

14 hrs
RN CE hours
per 2 years
2 years
Renewal cycle
Per state board
1
Mandatory topics
every renewal
No
CE Broker reporting
Self-document

Note: Kentucky offers alternative competency options (e.g. national certification, employer evaluation) in lieu of CE.

Check Your Nursing CE Compliance

Find out exactly how many continuing education hours you need to renew your license — including any state-mandated topics like opioids, domestic violence, or implicit bias.

Showing CE requirements for Kentucky.

Mandatory CE Topics in Kentucky

In addition to the total contact-hour requirement, Kentucky requires every renewing nurse to complete coursework on these specific topics. Most ANCC-accredited bundles cover them as part of a state-specific package.

Pediatric abusive head trauma

1.5 hours · one-time requirement

Suicide prevention

Required content area · every cycle

Required topic; counts within total 14 hrs.

When Is My Kentucky Renewal Deadline?

Kentucky renewal deadlines follow this pattern: Oct 31. Use the calculator above to estimate your specific deadline based on your last renewal date. The state board issues a courtesy renewal notice, but the legal responsibility for renewing on time is yours.

Practicing nursing on an expired license is a violation of state law. If your renewal lapses, contact the Kentucky Board of Nursing immediately to learn about late-renewal or reinstatement options.

Take Your Kentucky CEUs at CE Ready

CE Ready is an ANCC-accredited continuing education provider (Provider P0986) with course bundles built specifically for Kentucky nurses. Their packages cover both the total contact-hour requirement and every mandatory topic listed above.

Get your Kentucky CEUs at CE Ready →

MyNursingSchools may earn a commission when you enroll with CE Ready — at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Looking for the full Kentucky licensure picture?

Kentucky Nursing License Requirements →

CE Requirements in Other States

Iowa36 hrs · 3 yearsKansas30 hrs · 2 yearsLouisiana15 hrs · 1 yearMaineNo fixed hrs · 2 years

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CE hours do I need to renew my nursing license in Kentucky?
Kentucky requires 14 contact hours per 2 years renewal cycle for RNs.
What are the mandatory CE topics for Kentucky nurses?
Kentucky requires 2 mandatory topics: Pediatric abusive head trauma (1.5 hrs, one-time); Suicide prevention (hours vary, each cycle).
Does Kentucky use CE Broker?
No. Kentucky does not use CE Broker. Keep your certificates of completion for at least 2 years in case your board audits your renewal.
When is the nursing license renewal deadline in Kentucky?
Kentucky licenses expire on October 31 on a 2 years renewal cycle.

Sources

  • Kentucky Board of Nursing, CE rules, accessed 2026.
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), accreditation criteria, 2026.
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