NP · CRNA · CNM · CNS
Texas APRN continuing education requirements
20 hours
APRN, NP, CRNA and CNM requirements
Verified Sep 15, 2026
- Advanced practice CE
- 20 hours
- Renewal period
- 2 years
- Pharmacology
- 5 pharmacology contact hours. 5 additional Pharmacotherapeutics if prescriptive authority; 4 opioid/pain-management hours when applicable
- Who it applies to
- APRNs with prescriptive authority
- Controlled substances / opioids
- Yes, if APRN prescribes controlled substances
- Pain and opioid content
- Yes for APRNs with opioid-prescribing authority: 4 hours per licensing period
- Prescriptive authority
- Yes
- Who approves the course
- Texas Board of Nursing
- Accepted providers
- Board-recognized CNE providers; qualifying CNE organizations
What the board publishes
Verified Sep 21, 2026
- Renewal period
- 2 years
- RN requirement
- 20 CNE or alternative competency pathway + targeted requirements
- LPN / LVN requirement
- 20 CNE or alternative competency pathway + targeted requirements
- Mandatory topics
- Nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics: at least 2 contact hours every third two-year licensing period. Older adult or geriatric populations: at least 2 contact hours every licensing period for a nurse whose practice includes these populations. Forensic evidence collection: at least 2 contact hours within two years of initial employment in an emergency room setting; this is a one-time requirement. Human trafficking prevention: an HHSC-approved course; no hour count is stated.
- Required courses
- RN/LVN: 20 contact hours of CNE OR approved national certification, plus applicable targeted CE. Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics: 2 hours every 6 years. Forensic Evidence Collection: 2 hours for nurses working in applicable emergency settings. Older Adult/Geriatric Care: 2 hours for nurses working in applicable geriatric settings. Human Trafficking Prevention: 1 hour. (Texas Board of Nursing) Source: Texas Board of Nursing.
- Good to know
- Texas requires continuing competency. A nurse may complete 20 contact hours of CNE in the nurse's area of practice OR achieve/maintain/renew an approved national nursing certification during the licensing period. The nurse must also complete any applicable targeted CE. The first renewal has special exemptions. (Texas Board of Nursing)
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