Rhode Island RN and LPN Continuing Education
Rhode Island RNs and LPNs must complete 10 hours of continuing education during each two-year licensing cycle. At least 2 of those hours must address substance abuse. Rhode Island also requires every nurse to complete 1 hour of Alzheimer’s disease education once during their career.
Rhode Island requires continuing education to come from an accepted source. The Board recognizes education approved by ANCC, recognized professional nursing organizations, approved nursing schools or departments, and other organizations or accrediting agencies accepted by the Board. Because that language is narrower than simply accepting any provider approved by another state Board of Nursing, C-E-U.com’s Florida Board of Nursing provider status alone should not be assumed to guarantee acceptance in Rhode Island. Nurses should confirm course acceptance with the Rhode Island Board before relying on a course for renewal.
Rhode Island CE Requirements at a Glance
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total CE Requirement | 10 hours | 10 hours |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| Substance Abuse | 2 hours each renewal cycle | 2 hours each renewal cycle |
| Alzheimer’s Disease | 1 hour once per career | 1 hour once per career |
| CE Records | Retain at least 4 years | Retain at least 4 years |
Rhode Island RN and LPN Continuing Education
Rhode Island RNs and LPNs must complete 10 hours of continuing education during each two-year licensing cycle. At least 2 of those hours must address substance abuse. Nurses must also complete 1 hour of Alzheimer’s disease education once during their nursing career.
Rhode Island RN and LPN Continuing Education — 10 Contact Hours
C-E-U.com offers self-paced online nursing education for RNs and LPNs. Qualifying courses may be used toward Rhode Island’s continuing education requirement when they meet the Board’s accepted-provider and nursing-practice standards.
Substance Abuse Education — 2 Hours
Rhode Island requires at least 2 of the 10 continuing education hours completed during each two-year licensing cycle to address substance abuse.
Alzheimer’s Disease Education — One-Time 1 Hour
C-E-U.com offers a 2-hour Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) course that exceeds Rhode Island’s 1-hour Alzheimer’s education requirement in duration. The course is approved by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs as a 2-hour ADRD curriculum, Curriculum Approval #HH10743, and is delivered by an approved training provider.
For Rhode Island nurses, the 2-hour course may also count toward the 10 hours of general continuing education required for renewal, provided it is accepted under Rhode Island’s continuing education provider standards. Rhode Island allows nursing-related CE from recognized nursing organizations and other approved educational sources.
Rhode Island Nursing Continuing Education References and Resources
Rhode Island Department of Health — Nurses — Official licensing and continuing education requirements for Rhode Island nurses, including the 10-hour biennial CE requirement, 2-hour substance abuse requirement, and one-time Alzheimer’s training.
Rhode Island Nursing Regulations — Official regulations governing nurse licensure and continuing education.
Rhode Island Department of Health — State health department resources, professional licensing information, and public health education.
Rhode Island Nurse License Verification — Access to Rhode Island nurse licensing and verification resources.
Rhode Island Substance Use Disorder Resources — State information and educational resources related to substance use disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions: Rhode Island Nursing Continuing Education
Rhode Island RNs and LPNs must complete 10 continuing education hours during every two-year licensing cycle.
Yes. At least 2 of the required 10 continuing education hours must address substance abuse during each two-year licensing cycle.
Qualifying nursing courses may count when they meet Rhode Island’s accepted continuing education standards. Rhode Island accepts nursing education from specified recognized nursing and educational organizations and other sources accepted by the Board.
Yes. Every Rhode Island nurse must complete at least 1 hour of continuing education regarding Alzheimer’s disease once during their nursing career.
C-E-U.com offers a 2-hour Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias course, exceeding Rhode Island’s 1-hour requirement in duration. The course may also contribute toward general nursing CE when accepted under Rhode Island’s continuing education standards.
Yes. C-E-U.com offers a 2-hour Substance Abuse Continuing Education course designed to satisfy Rhode Island’s recurring requirement that nurses complete 2 hours of substance abuse education during each two-year licensing cycle.
Rhode Island nurses should retain documentation of completed continuing education for at least four years because records may be requested during an audit.
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