Pennsylvania RN and LPN Continuing Education
Pennsylvania RNs and LPNs have different continuing education requirements for biennial renewal. RNs must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including 2 hours of 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. LPNs do not have the same 30-hour general CE requirement but must complete 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training every two years.
C-E-U.com offers online nursing continuing education for Pennsylvania nurses. C-E-U.com is a Florida Board of Nursing continuing education provider, Provider #50-47308. General nursing courses may be used for applicable RN continuing education when they meet Pennsylvania’s accepted-provider standards. Pennsylvania’s child abuse training is different because it must come from a specifically approved provider.
Pennsylvania CE Requirements at a Glance
| RN | LPN | |
|---|---|---|
| General CE Requirement | 30 hours | No general CE-hour requirement |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| Child Abuse Training | 2 hours approved Act 31 training | 2 hours approved Act 31 training |
| Organ Donation / Tissue Recovery | 2 hours, one time within 5 years beginning May 1, 2026 | Not required |
Pennsylvania RN Continuing Education
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.
Pennsylvania RN Continuing Education — 30 Contact Hours
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.
Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting — 2 Hours
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.
Pennsylvania Organ Donation and Tissue Recovery Education — 2 Hours
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 LPN Continuing Education
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 Nursing Continuing Education References and Resources
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing — Official source for Pennsylvania RN and LPN licensing, renewal, continuing education, and Board requirements.
Pennsylvania RN Licensure Requirements — Summarizes the 30-hour biennial RN CE requirement, required child abuse training, and the organ donation education requirement.
Pennsylvania LPN Licensure Requirements — Explains Pennsylvania LPN renewal requirements, including the 2-hour child abuse recognition and reporting requirement.
Pennsylvania Nursing Renewal Information — Board renewal information and links to continuing education requirements, Act 31 training, organ donation education, and other nursing CE guidance.
Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training — Act 31 — Official Pennsylvania information on required child abuse training, approved providers, and electronic reporting of course completion.
Organ and Tissue Donation and Recovery Process Continuing Education — Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing guidance outlining the new 2-hour RN requirement and the required six-part curriculum.
Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) — Pennsylvania’s online system for professional license applications and renewals.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pennsylvania Nursing Continuing Education
Pennsylvania RNs must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period.
No. Pennsylvania LPNs do not have the same 30-hour general CE requirement that applies to RNs.
Yes. Pennsylvania RNs and LPNs must complete 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training during each biennial renewal period.
Yes. Qualifying C-E-U.com nursing courses may be used toward Pennsylvania’s general RN continuing education requirement because Pennsylvania accepts appropriate continuing education approved by another Board of Nursing. C-E-U.com is a Florida Board of Nursing continuing education provider, Provider #50-47308.
Not at present. C-E-U.com is developing a Pennsylvania-specific child abuse recognition and reporting course, but it will not be represented as satisfying the requirement unless the applicable Pennsylvania approval and reporting requirements are met.
Yes. Beginning May 1, 2026, Pennsylvania RNs must complete 2 hours of Board-approved organ donation and tissue recovery education one time within the applicable five-year period.
Not at present. 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 and will only represent it as satisfying the requirement after applicable Pennsylvania approval is obtained.
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