Virginia RN and LPN Continuing Competency
Virginia RNs and LPNs must demonstrate continued competency during each two-year renewal period. Rather than requiring every nurse to complete the same fixed amount of continuing education, Virginia allows several different renewal pathways.
C-E-U.com can support Virginia nurses who choose a continuing education-based pathway. Qualifying nursing courses may be used toward the 30-contact-hour option or the combined practice-and-CE option when they meet Virginia’s continuing competency standards.
Virginia Nursing Continuing Competency Requirements at a Glance
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | |
|---|---|---|
| General CE Requirement | No fixed CE requirement if another pathway is used | No fixed CE requirement if another pathway is used |
| CE-Only Pathway | 30 contact hours | 30 contact hours |
| Practice + CE Pathway | 640 practice hours + 15 contact hours | 640 practice hours + 15 contact hours |
| Other Pathways | National certification, qualifying academic coursework, refresher course, or other Board-recognized activities | National certification, qualifying academic coursework, refresher course, or other Board-recognized activities |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| Governing Body | Virginia Board of Nursing | Virginia Board of Nursing |
Virginia RN and LPN Continuing Competency Options
Virginia nurses may satisfy renewal through one of several pathways, including:
30 contact hours of continuing education relevant to nursing practice
15 contact hours of continuing education plus 640 hours of active practice as a nurse
Current national certification in a nursing specialty
Completion of a nursing-related academic course
Completion of a Board-approved refresher course
Other qualifying professional or educational activities recognized by the Board
Virginia RN and LPN Continuing Education — 30 Contact Hours
C-E-U.com offers self-paced online nursing continuing education that can support Virginia RNs and LPNs who choose the 30-hour continuing education pathway. Courses provide documented contact hours and completion certificates for the nurse’s records.
Practice Plus Continuing Education — 15 Contact Hours
Virginia nurses may also satisfy continued competency by combining at least 640 hours of active nursing practice with 15 contact hours of continuing education during the applicable renewal period.
Alternative Continuing Competency Pathways
Virginia also recognizes other methods of demonstrating continued competency, including national specialty certification, qualifying nursing coursework, refresher education, and other Board-recognized professional activities. Nurses only need to satisfy one approved pathway for renewal.
Virginia Nursing Continuing Competency References and Resources
Virginia Board of Nursing — Official source for RN and LPN licensure, renewal, continued competency, laws, and Board guidance.
Virginia RN/LPN Continued Competency Requirements — Details the approved renewal pathways, including 30 contact hours of CE and the 15-hour plus 640-practice-hour option.
Virginia Continued Competency Overview — General Board information on continued competency and continuing education requirements.
Virginia Board of Nursing Laws and Regulations — Official access to Virginia nursing statutes and regulations, including regulations governing RN and LPN practice.
Virginia Administrative Code — Nursing Practice — Official text of 18VAC90-19, including continued competency requirements for renewal.
Virginia Code — Board of Nursing — Statutory framework governing nursing licensure and practice in Virginia.
Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup — Official Virginia license verification resource for healthcare professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions: Virginia Nursing Continuing Competency
Virginia nurses may satisfy continued competency by completing 30 contact hours of qualifying continuing education during the two-year renewal period.
No. Virginia allows several competency pathways, including 15 contact hours of CE plus 640 hours of active nursing practice, national certification, qualifying academic coursework, refresher education, and other approved activities.
Yes. Qualifying C-E-U.com nursing courses can support the 30-hour CE pathway or the 15-hour education component of the practice-plus-CE pathway.
Yes. The same general continued competency framework applies to both RNs and LPNs.
Yes. Qualifying online nursing continuing education can be used toward Virginia’s continuing competency requirements.
No. Virginia does not require routine RN or LPN continuing education reporting through CE Broker.
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.