District of Columbia

Registered Nurse CE & renewal requirements in District of Columbia (2026)

24 contact hours per renewal, on a 24-month renewal cycle with District of Columbia Board of Nursing.

Renewal cycle

Every 24 months

Biennial; transitioning to birth-month expiration for credentials issued on/after June 16, 2024

Continuing education

24 contact hours per renewal

24 contact hours per 2-year cycle, including at least 3 hours HIV/AIDS or Director's Topics and 2 hours LGBTQ cultural competency; 10% of hours must be in designated public health priorities

  • HIV/AIDS or Director's Topics (3 hrs)
  • LGBTQ cultural competency (2 hrs)
  • Public health priorities (10% of hours)

Source: District of Columbia Board of Nursing · Verified July 5, 2026

Rules change — always confirm current requirements with your board before relying on this page. Visit District of Columbia Board of Nursing

Frequently asked questions

How often do registered nurses renew their license in District of Columbia?
Biennial; transitioning to birth-month expiration for credentials issued on/after June 16, 2024
How many contact hours do I need in District of Columbia?
24 contact hours per renewal. 24 contact hours per 2-year cycle, including at least 3 hours HIV/AIDS or Director's Topics and 2 hours LGBTQ cultural competency; 10% of hours must be in designated public health priorities
Where do I renew my Registered Nurse license in District of Columbia?
Through District of Columbia Board of Nursing. We verified these details on 2026-07-05 — always confirm with the board before your deadline.
Is this page official?
No — Credlark is an independent organizational tool, not the licensing board. This page cites its source and check date; use it to plan, then confirm with your board.