Utah Nursing CE Requirements for RNs, LPNs, CNAs & HHAs
Utah RNs and LPNs must demonstrate continuing competency during each two-year renewal period. Rather than requiring every nurse to complete the same number of continuing education hours, Utah allows nurses to qualify through practice hours, a combination of practice and CE, or continuing education alone. This page also covers Utah CNA certification renewal through UNAR and home health aide training and annual in-service requirements.
C-E-U.com can support Utah nurses who choose either of the CE-based pathways. Qualifying nursing courses can be used toward the 15- or 30-contact-hour education options when they meet Utah’s approved continuing education standards.
Utah Nursing Continuing Competency Requirements at a Glance
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | CNA | HHA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General CE Requirement | No fixed CE requirement | No fixed CE requirement | None; renewal by 200 paid work hours per 24 months (UNAR) | None; 12 hours per year in-service (federal) |
| Practice-Only Pathway | 400 hours in previous 2 years | 400 hours in previous 2 years | 200 hours in previous 2 years | Not applicable |
| Combined Pathway | 200 practice hours + 15 CE hours | 200 practice hours + 15 CE hours | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| CE-Only Pathway | 30 contact hours | 30 contact hours | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years | Every 2 years | Every 2 years (24 months) | 12-month in-service cycle |
| Suicide Prevention Training | State-required training applies | State-required training applies | Not required | Not required |
| Governing Body | Utah Division of Professional Licensing | Utah Division of Professional Licensing | Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR) | CMS / employing home health agency |
Utah RN and LPN Continuing Education Options
During the two years immediately preceding renewal, an RN or LPN must complete one of the following:
At least 400 hours of licensed nursing practice
At least 200 hours of licensed nursing practice plus 15 contact hours of approved continuing education
30 contact hours of approved continuing education
Utah RN and LPN Continuing Education — Up to 30 Contact Hours
C-E-U.com offers self-paced online nursing continuing education that can support Utah RNs and LPNs who use the 15-hour or 30-hour CE pathway. Courses provide documented contact hours and completion certificates for the nurse’s records.
Practice-Based Continuing Competency
Utah nurses who have sufficient recent practice hours do not necessarily need continuing education for renewal. A nurse with at least 400 hours of licensed practice during the preceding two years can satisfy the competency requirement through practice alone. A nurse with at least 200 hours can combine those practice hours with 15 contact hours of approved CE.
Additional Renewal Requirement
Utah law also requires nurses renewing a license to view the state-required suicide prevention video and provide proof in the manner required by the Division. This is separate from the RN/LPN continuing competency pathways described above.
Utah CNA Requirements
Utah CNAs are certified through the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR), and certification renews every 24 months based on employment rather than continuing education: aides must document at least 200 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work under the direction of a licensed nurse during the 24-month period. Utah does not require CE hours for registry renewal.
A certification expired up to 6 months can be renewed late; between 6 and 24 months requires retaking the written and skills exams; beyond 24 months requires completing a full training program and retesting. Separately, CNAs 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)).
Utah CNA In-Service and Skills Training
C-E-U.com offers self-paced online courses Utah CNAs can use toward facility-required annual in-service education and employer training — including dementia and Alzheimer’s care, infection prevention, communication, documentation, resident safety, and professionalism. Certificates download immediately and include verification details your employer can confirm online.
Because Utah does not require CE for registry renewal, these courses support employer and facility requirements — confirm with your employer or facility educator that a course fits its in-service plan before enrolling.
Utah Home Health Aide (HHA) Requirements
Home health aides working for Medicare-certified home health agencies in Utah 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). Utah does not add a separate state CE-hour requirement on top of the federal standard for agency-employed home health aides.
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 employing agency.
Utah Home Health Aide In-Service Training
C-E-U.com offers online courses home health aides and their agencies can use toward the 12-hour annual in-service requirement — including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, infection prevention, safe transfers and mobility, communication, documentation, and home-care safety. Certificates download immediately with verification details agencies can confirm online.
Agencies remain responsible for RN supervision of in-service training and for competency documentation, so confirm with your agency that a course fits its in-service plan before enrolling.
Utah Nursing Continuing Education References and Resources
Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Nursing — Official source for Utah RN, LPN, APRN, and medication aide licensing and renewal information.
Utah Nursing Resources — Board resources, including the approved suicide-prevention training information for nurses.
Utah Nursing Practice Act — Utah statutes governing nursing licensure, practice, renewal, and competency requirements.
Utah Nursing Practice Act Rule — R156-31b — Administrative rules covering nursing licensure and continuing competency requirements.
Utah LPN Renewal Form — Official Utah DOPL renewal form with nursing renewal requirements and instructions.
Utah DOPL License Search — Online verification of Utah professional licenses.
Utah Controlled Substance Prescribing Requirements — Statutory requirements that may apply to APRNs and other controlled-substance prescribers.
Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR) — Official registry for Utah CNAs, covering certification, the 200-hour employment renewal requirement, and recertification after a lapse.
42 CFR §483.95 — Training Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities — Federal rule requiring at least 12 hours of annual in-service education for nurse aides in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities.
42 CFR §484.80 — Home Health Aide Services — Federal rule setting the 75-hour home health aide training standard, competency evaluation, and 12-hour annual in-service requirement for Medicare-certified home health agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions: Utah Nursing Continuing Competency
Utah nurses can qualify through one of three pathways: 400 hours of licensed practice, 200 hours of practice plus 15 contact hours of CE, or 30 contact hours of CE.
Yes. Qualifying C-E-U.com nursing courses can be used toward the 15-hour or 30-hour continuing education pathways.
No. Nurses with at least 400 hours of licensed practice during the preceding two years can satisfy the competency requirement through practice alone.
Yes. Utah nurses must complete the state-required suicide prevention training as part of renewal.
Yes. Qualifying online nursing continuing education can be used toward the CE-based competency pathways.
No. Utah does not require routine RN or LPN CE reporting through CE Broker.
No. Utah CNA certification renews every 24 months through UNAR based on employment, not CE hours: you must document at least 200 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work under the direction of a licensed nurse during the period. Certification expired up to 6 months can be renewed late; 6–24 months requires retesting; beyond 24 months requires full retraining. CNAs working in Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities still receive at least 12 hours of in-service education each year under federal rules — a facility requirement C-E-U.com courses can support.
Home health aides working for Medicare-certified agencies in Utah must complete at least 75 hours of training, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised practical training, and pass a competency evaluation (42 CFR §484.80). After certification, federal rules require at least 12 hours of RN-supervised in-service training during each 12-month period, documented by the agency. C-E-U.com’s online courses can support those annual hours — confirm topic selections with your agency.
Start Your Continuing Education Today!
Complete online continuing education and training at your own pace. Access practical courses, downloadable certificates, and eligible CE Broker reporting for one year.