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Texas Registered Nurse (RN) licenses renew every two years through the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). To renew, most RNs complete 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) each cycle or maintain an approved national certification. Texas also requires specific mandatory topics such as Nursing Jurisprudence & Ethics and Human Trafficking Prevention. Most nurses renew online through the BON portal.
🗒️ Quick Facts (Texas RN Renewal)
- Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
- Standard CE: 20 contact hours, or maintain an approved national certification that covers the entire renewal period
- Mandatory topics: Nursing Jurisprudence & Ethics; Human Trafficking Prevention; Older Adult/Geriatric (if applicable); Forensic Evidence Collection (if applicable)
- Renewal method: Online via the Texas Board of Nursing portal
- Fees: Amounts change periodically; see the current fee schedule
- Audit readiness: Keep CE certificates and proof of mandatory topics for the entire audit window
📚 CE Requirements: What Texas RNs Need
- 20 contact hours of CNE related to your nursing practice every 2 years, or maintain an approved national nursing certification that covers your entire renewal cycle.
- Nursing Jurisprudence & Ethics — 2 contact hours every renewal. Content must include the Texas Nursing Practice Act, BON rules, position statements, ethics, and professional boundaries.
- Human Trafficking Prevention — one-time course approved by the state (keep proof on file).
- Older Adult / Geriatric — required if your practice includes older adults. Keep documentation that the requirement was met when applicable.
- Forensic Evidence Collection — one-time if your role involves forensic evidence collection or applicable emergency settings.
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🗓️ Renewal Cycle & Deadlines
- Texas RN licenses renew on a biennial basis tied to your individual expiration month/day.
- You can typically renew 60 days before expiration. Don’t wait — late renewals may incur additional requirements or status changes.
🧭 Step-by-Step: Renewing a Texas RN License
- Confirm your renewal window: Check your license expiration date and earliest renewal date.
- Complete CE: Finish 20 hours (or verify your qualifying national certification) and complete any required mandatory topics for this cycle.
- Gather proof: Save CE certificates and mandatory-topic documentation in one place for audits.
- Renew online: Log in to the Texas BON online renewal portal and complete the renewal application.
- Pay the fee: Amounts change; see the current fee schedule. Submit payment online.
- Confirm status: After submission, verify your active status on the BON license lookup.
⚠️ If Your License Is Lapsed or Expired
If your RN license lapses, you may face late fees and additional steps. Depending on how long it has been expired, Texas may require extra CE, reactivation paperwork, and/or background items before returning to active status. Start on the BON’s renewal/reactivation page and follow the instructions specific to your situation.
🔎 Need renewal requirements for another state or profession? Visit our complete renewal database — updated regularly with official board links, CE rules, deadlines, and fees.
🔗 Helpful Links (Texas)
- Texas Board of Nursing – Homepage & Online Renewal
- Texas BON – Fee Schedule
- Texas BON – CE Requirements & Mandatory Topics
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Texas RNs need?
20 contact hours every 2 years, or maintain an approved national certification that covers the entire renewal period. Mandatory topics still apply.
Do the mandatory topics count toward my 20 hours?
Yes — mandatory topics generally count toward your total hours, but they must be taken from approved providers and meet content criteria.
Is Human Trafficking Prevention required every renewal?
No — it is a one-time requirement for RNs. Keep your completion proof for audits.
What about Older Adult/Geriatric content?
Required if your practice includes older adults. Keep course documentation (titles/objectives) showing you met the requirement when applicable.
Can I renew if I haven’t finished my CE?
You should not attest to CE completion unless you have finished it. Complete CE first, retain proof, and then renew through the online portal.
Disclaimer: Requirements can change. Always verify details with the Texas Board of Nursing before renewing.
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