Understanding Your 2025-26 Pennsylvania Nursing License Renewal

• 2025-26 Pennsylvania nursing license renewal guidelines stipulate that nurses cannot legally work with an expired license
• Many nurses in Pennsylvania do not have time to keep current with each update they must understand in order to renew their license
• Nursing CE Central makes renewal easy to manage, with options for RN, LPN and APRN continuing education in Pennsylvania.

The 2025-26 Pennsylvania nursing license renewal requirements exist for good reason. Our nurses must keep up as best practices evolve, so they are empowered to provide the highest level of care for their patients. 

However, we know you are facing burnout, staffing shortages and the high demands of a complex healthcare system. Nursing CE Central offers quick, effective courses that earn Pennsylvania nursing CEUs. 

1. What are the 2025-26 continuing education requirements for a Pennsylvania nursing license renewal?  

RNs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education from a State Board of Nursing-approved, ANCC-accredited provider (such as Nursing CE Central). Two of the 30 hours must be on child abuse recognition and reporting.

Nursing CE Central’s Pennsylvania Renewal Bundle includes RN license renewal CE. LPNs are required to complete the two-contact hour child abuse recognition and reporting course. 

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education that include:

• Two hours on child abuse recognition and reporting
• Two hours on pain management and identification of addiction
• Two hours on the practice of prescribing or dispensing opioids
• 16 hours must on pharmacology for those with prescriptive authority

Nursing CE Central’s Pennsylvania APRN Bundle includes APRN license renewal CE.

2. Do I need to take a test for my Pennsylvania CE requirements?

Yes, you must take a test to complete the child abuse recognition and reporting course when renewing a nursing license.
 

3. Do I need to submit my CE through CE Broker?

No, you don’t need to submit your CEs through CE Broker. 

4. Do I need to save documentation showing I completed my continuing education renewal requirements?

Yes. Nurses must keep continuing education records for a minimum of six years in the event of an audit from the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing. Nursing CE Central keeps a record of all your completed certificates and they can be easily accessed by logging into your account.  

However, the provider of the child abuse recognition and reporting course must submit proof of completion to the Burea of Professional and Occupational Affairs.  

5. When do I need to renew my license?

For the 2025-26 Pennsylvania nursing license renewal period, you’ll receive a renewal notice in the mail before your license expires.  

Pennsylvania RNs and APRNs will be split into two groups and need to renew their license by April 30, 2026, or Oct. 31, 2026.

Pennsylvania LPNs will need to renew their license by June 30, 2026.

It’s still your responsibility to renew your nurse license if you don’t receive your renewal notice in the mail. 

6. What happens if I don’t renew my license on time?

Your license will expire, and you cannot practice nursing until you reactivate it through the Pennsylvania Licensing System. You’ll need to submit documentation that you completed your continuing education requirements. Once logged in, you can access the reactivation application by clicking the pencil icon next to your license number.  

7. How do I renew my Pennsylvania nursing license?

Most nurses need to fulfill their required continuing education courses, attest their completion to the board, and complete their license renewal application online. A valid payment method will be needed for any nursing license renewal fees.

8. How do I verify the status of my license?

You can check the status of your license through the Pennsylvania Licensing System.  The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing can take up to three days to renew an existing license. It can take up to 14 business days to receive your renewed nursing license in the mail. 

Still have questions?

The board can be reached at 1-833-367-2472, online, via email or at the address below:

2525 North Seventh Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Enroll for a Pennsylvania nursing license renewal bundle today!

Still have questions?

Visit our Pennsylvania nursing license renewal page for more information or to begin CE courses.

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