Pennsylvania Nursing CE Requirements for RNs, LPNs, CNAs & HHAs

Pennsylvania RNs must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. Two of those hours must be approved child abuse recognition and reporting training. Beginning May 1, 2026, RNs must also complete 2 hours of organ donation and tissue recovery education one time within five years.

C-E-U.com offers self-paced online nursing courses that Pennsylvania RNs may use toward the general 30-hour continuing education requirement when the selected courses meet Pennsylvania standards. Courses include defined learning objectives, stated contact hours, a completion assessment, and immediate certificates.

IN DEVELOPMENT: Pennsylvania requires RNs and LPNs to complete 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training during each biennial renewal period. Initial licensure generally requires 3 hours. The training must be completed through a Pennsylvania-approved provider, and completion must be electronically reported to the state.

C-E-U.com is developing a Pennsylvania-specific child abuse recognition and reporting course. The course will not be represented as satisfying the Act 31 requirement unless and until the applicable Pennsylvania approval and reporting requirements are met.

Beginning May 1, 2026, Pennsylvania RNs must complete at least 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in organ and tissue donation and recovery one time within five years of initial licensure or license renewal, whichever occurs first. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing has established a six-part curriculum covering the organ and tissue donation system, donation processes, determination of death, family communication, family support, and organ donor management.

C-E-U.com is developing a Pennsylvania-specific 2-hour organ donation and tissue recovery course based on the State Board of Nursing’s required curriculum. The course will be represented as satisfying this requirement only after the applicable Pennsylvania Board approval is obtained.

Pennsylvania LPNs do not have the same 30-hour general continuing education requirement that applies to RNs. For routine biennial renewal, LPNs are required to complete 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training.

Because Pennsylvania’s child abuse training must be completed through an approved Act 31 provider and electronically reported to the state, general nursing CE courses do not substitute for this requirement.

Pennsylvania CNAs are listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry, and certification renews every two years based on employment rather than continuing education: aides must document paid nursing or nursing-related work during the 24-month period to remain active. Pennsylvania does not require CE hours for nurse aide registry renewal, and a lapsed listing generally requires retesting.

CNAs employed in Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities must receive at least 12 hours of in-service education each year under federal rules (42 CFR §483.95(g)) — a facility requirement C-E-U.com’s self-paced online courses can support with topics such as dementia care, infection prevention, communication, documentation, and resident safety. Confirm topic selections with your facility educator.

Home health aides working for Medicare-certified home health agencies in Pennsylvania must meet the federal training standard: at least 75 hours of training, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised practical training, plus a competency evaluation (42 CFR §484.80). After certification, federal rules require at least 12 hours of in-service training during each 12-month period, supervised by a registered nurse and documented by the agency — C-E-U.com’s online courses can support these annual in-service hours; confirm topic selections with your agency.

Direct care workers at Pennsylvania-licensed home care agencies and registries follow a separate state framework under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 611: a competency exam or qualifying training before assignment plus an annual competency review documented by the agency, rather than a fixed hour requirement.