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Pennsylvania · Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner CE requirements in Pennsylvania

High confidenceLast verified June 4, 2026

Requirements at a glance

Licensing board
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Total CE hours
30 hrs/2 yrs
Pharmacology hours
Rx-authority CRNPs: ≥16 hrs pharmacology within the 2 yrs prior to renewal
Accepts AANP or ANCC in lieu
Required in addition

State-mandated CE topics

  • Child abuse recognition & reporting: 2 hrs — Act 31.
  • Pain mgmt/opioids: 2 hrs — Prescribers with DEA.

Sources

Every figure on this page is compiled from the primary board and national certification sources below, cross-checked against reputable aggregators. Requirements change often and some boards publish only in PDFs or login-walled portals — confirm current rules directly before relying on them for renewal.

Pennsylvania licensing boardPA State Board of Nursing
AANP certification (national)aanpcert.org/recert
ANCC certification (national)nursingworld.org/globalassets/certification/renewals/ancc-certrenewalrequirements.pdf
DEA MATE Act (federal)samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/statutes-regulations-guidelines/mate-act
DEA MATE Act (federal)dea.gov
Verify with PA State Board of Nursing

How this fits the national picture

Independent of Pennsylvania, every NP maintains national certification through AANP (100 CE hours over 5 years including 25 pharmacology, plus 1,000 practice hours) or ANCC (75 CE hours over 5 years including 25 pharmacotherapeutics). State CE sits on top of that.

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do nurse practitioners need in Pennsylvania?

30 hrs/2 yrs. Renewal cycle: Every 2 years.

Does Pennsylvania accept AANP or ANCC certification in lieu of state CE?

Required in addition.

What topic-specific CE does Pennsylvania require for nurse practitioners?

Child abuse recognition & reporting: 2 hrs — Act 31. Pain mgmt/opioids: 2 hrs — Prescribers with DEA.

How many pharmacology hours do nurse practitioners need in Pennsylvania?

Rx-authority CRNPs: ≥16 hrs pharmacology within the 2 yrs prior to renewal.

Informational only, not legal or compliance advice. Continuing education rules change frequently. Confirm current requirements with the PA State Board of Nursing and your certifying body before relying on any figure here.