I live in NC and as of July 1, 2006 CEU's are required for license renewal. If you have 640 hours of active practice within the previous two years you only have to have 15 contact hours of continuing education activities. When you renew your license they do random audits and require your certificates as proof of your education. You may or may not get an audit.


At the beginning of your renewal you are suppose to 1)self assess your practice, 2) develop a learning plan and establish at least one goal for yourself, 3) select a learning activity that will help you reach your goal/goals; and 4) implement your plan.


There are 8 options you can choose from, but the 15 CEU's for 640 of active practice seems like the easiest one to do. My license is up for renewal September 2008. I really hope I don't get an audit, b/c I think it would be so much trouble to have to go through, sending in all your certificates, records of work hours etc.

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I live in Ohio.  24 CEU's every two years and one must be Ohio law.  I think that CEU's are a good thing and easy to obtain.  It is a good way to stay on top of all the new information.  For me, I use it as an opportunity to learn and share with fellow nurses.  Each month one of us does a CEU and presents it to the group.  they can then go the site and take the quiz.  Most of all our topics are new studies and relevant to us but some times be do a diagnosis that had been on the floor to serve as a refresher and allow us to know current info.    I didnt realize that not all states required CEU's.   

I have heard that is is not a requirement in NY or Maryland. I feel it's a good thing as long as you are doing CEU's that pertain to your area of nursing. and not just doing any random CEU. If anyone know of any sites that offers free CEU's you can post them here also.

Mine are done for this time. I renew in September. I actually ended up having 18.5. Next time I renew I can focus on my new specialty the OR.

gdhipp says ...

I live in Ohio.  24 CEU's every two years and one must be Ohio law.  I think that CEU's are a good thing and easy to obtain.  It is a good way to stay on top of all the new information.  For me, I use it as an opportunity to learn and share with fellow nurses.  Each month one of us does a CEU and presents it to the group.  they can then go the site and take the quiz.  Most of all our topics are new studies and relevant to us but some times be do a diagnosis that had been on the floor to serve as a refresher and allow us to know current info.    I didnt realize that not all states required CEU's.   

I live in CA and will be renewing my license for the second time this next year.  I had thought the number of CEU's for CA was twenty, but according to Squirmals it is thirty.  Guess I have more work to do....  I think the above idea of one person doing a CEU and then presenting it to her fellow workers is a great way to help each other and also adds to the fun of learning new material.  After all what one may deem as important another may not have thought of.... ;>)  We have opportunities to do some CEU's through my place of employment however it seems that when I have participated in these I really do not learn anything new.....  Also thank you gdhipp for the list of sites you use....

Here are a list of requirements for North Carolina. You only have to complete one. I think #2 is 30 contact hours for those who work less than 640 hours of active practice or those who aren't working at all. Number 8 is the one most are probably using if they are doing active nursing.