Where does a compact (multistate) license renew?

Through your primary state of residence (your home compact state). Renewing there keeps your multistate license — and your compact privilege in other NLC states — active.

Do all states require continuing education to renew?

No. CE requirements vary by state and license type — some require specific hours and topics, others none. Your state board of nursing is the authoritative source for what you need.

Nursing license renewal by state

Renewal cycles, fees, and continuing-education requirements are set by each state board — they are not uniform. Here is how renewal works, plus your state's official board.

How does nursing license renewal work by state?

Every state board sets its own renewal cycle (often every 2 years), fees, and continuing-education (CE) requirements — so the specifics differ by state and by license type. A compact (multistate) license renews through your primary state of residence, which keeps your compact privilege active. For exact hours, topics, and fees, always verify with your state board — we do not list figures that could go stale. See the general compact license renewal guide.

What renewal usually involves

Renewing before your expiration date (boards set the cycle — commonly biennial).
Completing any required continuing education for your state and license type.
Paying the renewal fee and attesting to your practice/CE as the board requires.
Keeping your license active and unencumbered — needed for compact privilege.

Continuing-education rules in particular vary widely — some states require specific topics (for example, jurisprudence or state-specific content) and others set none. Your board is the only authoritative source for what you need this cycle.

Find your state board

Each links to that state’s renewal guide, with the official board of nursing and compact status one click away.

AlabamaFull compact state AlaskaNon-compact state American SamoaNon-compact state ArizonaFull compact state ArkansasFull compact state CaliforniaNon-compact state ColoradoFull compact state ConnecticutFull compact state DelawareFull compact state District of ColumbiaNon-compact state FloridaFull compact state GeorgiaFull compact state GuamPartial implementation HawaiiNon-compact state IdahoFull compact state IllinoisNon-compact state IndianaFull compact state IowaFull compact state KansasFull compact state KentuckyFull compact state LouisianaFull compact state MaineFull compact state MarylandFull compact state MassachusettsEnacted — awaiting implementation MichiganNon-compact state MinnesotaNon-compact state MississippiFull compact state MissouriFull compact state MontanaFull compact state NebraskaFull compact state NevadaNon-compact state New HampshireFull compact state New JerseyFull compact state New MexicoFull compact state New YorkNon-compact state North CarolinaFull compact state North DakotaFull compact state Northern Mariana IslandsNon-compact state OhioFull compact state OklahomaFull compact state OregonNon-compact state PennsylvaniaFull compact state Puerto RicoNon-compact state Rhode IslandFull compact state South CarolinaFull compact state South DakotaFull compact state TennesseeFull compact state TexasFull compact state U.S. Virgin IslandsEnacted — awaiting implementation UtahFull compact state VermontFull compact state VirginiaFull compact state WashingtonFull compact state West VirginiaFull compact state WisconsinFull compact state WyomingFull compact state

Frequently asked questions

It depends on your state — many boards use a two-year cycle, but the exact period, fees, and CE requirements are set by each state board. Verify your renewal date and requirements with your board.