Rhode Island Advanced Practice Registered Nurses CE Requirements, Accreditations & Approvals

Rhode Island Nurses

In support of improving patient care, NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

The Rhode Island Board of Registered Nursing accepts courses from any provider who is ANCC accredited.

Continuing Education Requirement

The Rhode Island Board of Registered Nursing accepts NetCE courses.

RNs and LPNs are required 10 contact hours every two years, including 2 hours in substance abuse.

APRNs are required 10 contact hours every two years, including 2 hours in substance abuse and must maintain national certification. Licensees authorized to prescribe are required to submit evidence of 30 hours in pharmacology every 6 years.

Effective January 2, 2020, licensees who prescribe Schedule II opioids have a one-time requirement of 8 hours of Category I CME in any or all of the following topics:

  • The appropriate prescribing of opioids for pain;
  • Pharmacology;
  • Adverse events;
  • Potential for dependence;
  • Tolerance;
  • Substance Use Disorder; and/or
  • Alternatives to opioids for pain management.

Beginning with DEA initial registrations or renewals starting June 27, 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners (with the exception of DVM-only license holders) are required 8 hours on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders, including the appropriate clinical use of all FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of a substance use disorder, one-time only.

View RN and LPN Special Offers
View APRN Special Offers
View Course List

All Accreditations and Approvals
License Renewal Instructions

For More Information

Please contact the Rhode Island Board of Registered Nursing at (401) 222-5700, or visit their website at https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=231.

Additional information regarding your continuing education requirements may be found at:
https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-40-05-3 - RNs, LPNs and APRNs (Rule 216-RICR-40-05-3).
https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-20-20-4 - APRN Sch II opioid prescribers one-time requirement (Rule 216-RICR-20-20-4.4(P.1).