Quick answer: Ohio RNs and LPNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education per renewal cycle, including a mandatory 1-hour Category A course covering Ohio Law and Rules. APRNs need an additional 24 hours (48 total), plus 12 hours of Advanced Pharmacology. Elite Learning offers Ohio-specific packages starting at $44.95 to help nurses meet their CEUs for Ohio nursing license renewal.
License renewal season has a way of sneaking up on you. Between patient care, long shifts, and everything else on your plate, the last thing you need is confusion about how many CEUs your Ohio nursing license actually requires. The good news? The requirements are straightforward—and completing them is easier than you might think.
This guide covers exactly what Ohio RNs, LPNs, and APRNs need to renew their licenses, what to look for in a CE provider, and how Elite Learning makes the whole process simple.
Explore nursing CEU options in Ohio
How many CEUs do Ohio nurses need for license renewal?
Ohio RNs and LPNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education each renewal cycle. Within those 24 hours, one contact hour must be a Category A course covering Ohio Law and Rules and standards for competent nursing practice. To qualify as Category A, the course must be approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN), an OBN-approved approver, or offered by an approved provider unit headquartered in Ohio.
APRNs have additional Ohio nursing CEU requirements on top of the standard RN hours:
- 24 CE hours for APRN license renewal (separate from the 24 hours required for RN renewal — 48 hours total)
- 12 hours of Advanced Pharmacology
- 1 hour of Category A (Ohio Law and Rules)
One more requirement applies to a specific group: under the DEA MATE Act, all DEA-registered practitioners (excluding DVM-only license holders) must complete a one-time 8-hour training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. This requirement took effect June 27, 2023.
Here’s some reassurance for nurses who prefer online learning: Ohio has no online CE limitations, and no roster reporting is required for RNs, LPNs, or APRNs. That makes fully online CE a compliant and convenient option.
What should Ohio nurses look for in a CE provider?
Not every CE provider is the same. When evaluating your options for Ohio nursing continuing education, look for:
- State board acceptance — courses must be accepted by the Ohio Board of Nursing
- ANCC accreditation — signals high-quality, evidence-based content
- Course variety — enough options to match your specialty and interests
- Flexible formats — online, video, podcast, webinar, or print
- Easy tracking — certificates, reporting, and deadline tools in one place
Choosing the right provider saves time and supports your professional growth—not just your compliance checkbox.
Why Elite Learning works for Ohio nurses
Colibri Healthcare LLC, the parent company of Elite Learning, is an ANCC-accredited provider accepted by state boards—including Ohio. Here’s what’s available for Ohio nurses specifically:
Ohio Nursing CE Requirements Package — $44.95
This 24-contact-hour package is built to meet Ohio RN license renewal requirements. It includes “The Ohio Nurse Practice Act,” the mandatory 1-hour Category A course covering Ohio Law and Rules. No exam required.
Elite Nursing Passport Lite — $48/year
For nurses who want ongoing access beyond a single renewal cycle, this membership includes 70+ courses across 25+ specialties, CE podcasts (available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube), enhanced CE deadline tracking, and automatic CE Broker reporting.
Elite Nursing Passport — $99.99/year
Everything in Lite, plus 300+ courses, Premium Specialty Collections across 10+ specialties, a pharmacology course library, DEA MATE Act training, clinical skills videos, specialty certification exam prep (CCRN, CEN, MEDSURG-BC/CMSRN), and a nursing interview practice simulation.
Courses are available in multiple formats—online, video, podcast, and book—so you can complete your Ohio RN license renewal hours on your schedule, on any device. Certificates are available immediately upon completion, and credits are automatically reported to CE Broker where applicable.
More than compliance: Tools for career-long growth
Elite Learning offers more than a path to license renewal. The platform includes a Nursing Resume Builder, Career Path Planning Tool, and specialty certification exam prep—resources that support nurses at every stage of their career.
With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 80,000 reviews, and courses created by highly credentialed instructors, Elite Learning is a platform Ohio nurses can trust for both compliance and professional development.
Start your Ohio CEUs before renewal season hits
To recap: Ohio RNs and LPNs need 24 contact hours, including 1 hour of Category A. APRNs need 48 total hours, plus 12 hours of Advanced Pharmacology. DEA-registered practitioners must also complete the one-time 8-hour MATE Act training.
Elite Learning removes the guesswork with Ohio-specific packages, flexible learning formats, and tools designed to keep you compliant and growing throughout your career.
Don’t wait until your renewal deadline is weeks away. Browse the Ohio CE Requirements Package or explore Elite Learning’s nursing membership options today.
Frequently asked questions
How many CEUs do Ohio RNs need to renew their nursing license?
Ohio RNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education per renewal cycle, including a mandatory 1-hour Category A course on Ohio Law and Rules.
What is the Category A requirement for Ohio nursing license renewal?
The Category A requirement is a 1-contact-hour course covering Ohio Law and Rules and standards for competent nursing practice. It must be approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing or an OBN-approved provider.
How many CEUs do Ohio APRNs need?
Ohio APRNs must complete 48 total CE hours per renewal cycle—24 hours for RN license renewal and an additional 24 hours for APRN license renewal. APRNs also need 12 hours of Advanced Pharmacology and 1 hour of Category A.
Are there online CE limitations for Ohio nurses?
No. Ohio has no online CE limitations for RNs, LPNs, or APRNs, and no roster reporting is required. This makes online CE a fully compliant option.
What is the DEA MATE Act requirement for Ohio nurses?
DEA-registered practitioners (excluding DVM-only license holders) must complete a one-time 8-hour training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders, effective June 27, 2023.
Is Elite Learning accepted by the Ohio Board of Nursing?
Yes. Elite Learning’s parent company, Colibri Healthcare, is an ANCC-accredited provider offering courses accepted by state boards, including Ohio. The Ohio Nursing CE Requirements Package is specifically designed to meet Ohio RN license renewal requirements.
