Nebraska Nursing Continuing Education and Competency Requirements
Nebraska RNs and LPNs must meet the state’s continuing competency requirements for biennial license renewal. For most actively licensed nurses, the primary pathway includes at least 500 hours of nursing practice during the previous five years and 20 contact hours of approved nursing continuing education during the previous two years. Nebraska also recognizes alternative pathways, including recent nursing-program graduation, completion of a Board-approved refresher course, current national specialty certification, or an approved professional portfolio.
C-E-U.com offers convenient online nursing continuing education that can help Nebraska RNs and LPNs complete the 20 contact hours required under applicable competency pathways. Nebraska accepts nursing continuing education approved by any state board of nursing, and C-E-U.com is a Florida Board of Nursing continuing education provider, Provider #50-47308.
Nebraska RN and LPN Continuing Education
Nebraska RNs and LPNs generally renew their licenses every two years and must select a qualifying continuing competency pathway. Nurses who graduated more than five years ago commonly meet the requirement by documenting at least 500 hours of nursing practice during the previous five years and 20 contact hours of approved nursing continuing education during the previous two years.
Registered Nurse & Licensed Practical Nurse Continuing Education — 20 Contact Hours
Nebraska requires nurses using the practice-and-education pathway to complete at least 20 contact hours of approved nursing continuing education during the two years preceding renewal.
The education must be nursing-related and provided by an approved continuing nursing education provider. Nebraska specifically recognizes programs approved by any state board of nursing, making qualifying C-E-U.com courses appropriate for this renewal pathway.
C-E-U.com offers online nursing courses that Nebraska RNs and LPNs may use toward the 20-contact-hour continuing education component of their renewal requirement.
Other Nebraska Continuing Competency Pathways
Nebraska RNs and LPNs must meet one of the state’s approved continuing competency pathways for renewal. In addition to the common pathway of completing 20 contact hours of continuing education and documenting at least 500 hours of nursing practice during the previous five years, a nurse may qualify through another pathway based on recent graduation, refresher education, specialty certification, or professional activities.
Qualifying alternatives may include:
- Graduation from an approved nursing program within the previous two years
- Graduation more than two but less than five years ago, combined with 20 contact hours of approved nursing CE
- Completion of a Nebraska Board-approved nursing refresher course within the previous five years
- Current national certification in a nursing specialty
- An approved professional portfolio demonstrating continued competency
- A waiver when permitted under Nebraska requirements
Nurses should review the current renewal application and select the pathway that matches their education, practice history, and credentials. A refresher course must be specifically approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing; general C-E-U.com courses do not replace that refresher-course pathway.
Nebraska Nursing Continuing Education References and Resources
- Nebraska Nurse Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education — Official overview of Nebraska RN and LPN renewal schedules, continuing competency pathways, practice-hour requirements, continuing education options, certification, refresher courses, and available waivers.
- Nebraska Nursing Continuing Education Advisory Opinion — Explains Nebraska’s approved-provider standards and confirms that nursing education approved by any state board of nursing may qualify. This supports the use of nursing-related C-E-U.com courses because C-E-U.com is a Florida Board of Nursing provider, Provider #50-47308.
- Nebraska Nurse Licensing FAQs — Answers questions about qualifying practice hours, online education, renewal documentation, audits, and continuing competency dates. It also explains that certificates are generally retained by the nurse and submitted only when requested during an audit.
- Nebraska Registered Nurse Renewal Application — Lists the continuing competency pathways available to Nebraska RNs and identifies the documentation required if the nurse is audited.
- Nebraska Licensed Practical Nurse Renewal Application — Provides current LPN renewal instructions, deadlines, continuing competency attestations, and application requirements.
- Nebraska RN and LPN Reinstatement Application — Explains the continuing competency options for nurses seeking reinstatement of an expired or inactive Nebraska license.
- Nebraska RN and LPN Refresher Courses — Provides access to refresher courses specifically approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. General online CE does not replace a Board-approved refresher course when that pathway is selected.
- Nebraska Nurse Licensing — Central Nebraska DHHS resource for RN and LPN licensing, applications, renewal, endorsement, practice information, and Board contacts.
- Nebraska Nurse License Applications — Provides current nursing applications for examination, endorsement, reinstatement, and other licensure actions.
- Nebraska Professional License Renewals — Official portal for online and paper professional-license renewal applications.
- Nebraska Nurse Practice Act — Contains the statutes governing nursing licensure, renewal, continuing competency, and professional practice in Nebraska.
- Nebraska License Verification — Official Nebraska DHHS resource for license searches, verification, renewal, and licensee information.
Frequently Asked Questions: Minnesota Nursing Continuing Education
Most Nebraska RNs and LPNs meet the state’s continuing competency requirement by completing 20 contact hours of approved nursing continuing education during the previous two years and documenting at least 500 hours of nursing practice during the previous five years. Nebraska also recognizes several alternative competency pathways.
Yes. Nebraska recognizes nursing continuing education approved by a state board of nursing. C-E-U.com is a Florida Board of Nursing continuing education provider, Provider #50-47308. Nursing-related C-E-U.com courses may therefore be used toward Nebraska’s 20-contact-hour requirement when the nurse is using an applicable CE pathway.
The course must be related to nursing practice and completed through an approved provider. Nebraska places responsibility on the nurse to confirm that the education is nursing-related and to retain proof of the completed contact hours.
Nurses generally attest that they have met a qualifying competency pathway. Supporting certificates and practice documentation should be retained and provided if the nurse is selected for an audit. Nebraska emphasizes that the nurse is responsible for proving completion of the required nursing education when audited.
Nebraska RN licenses expire on October 31 of each even-numbered year.
Nebraska LPN licenses expire on October 31 of each odd-numbered year.
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