Georgia RN Continuing Education Requirements, Explained
Last reviewed June 2026 against the official sources linked below. Requirements change — always confirm with your board before relying on them.
Total hours
30 contact hours
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Alternatives
5 competency options
Issued by
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia frames its requirement as continuing competency rather than just hours, and that is good news if you hold a national certification or are in school - you may not need to chase 30 CE hours at all. There are five accepted ways to satisfy each two-year renewal.
Here are your options, in plain English.
Five ways to meet the requirement
For each biennial renewal, a Georgia RN can choose one of several continuing competency options. The default route is 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years, but it is not the only path - which is why it pays to check whether one of the alternatives already covers you.
The competency options
- Complete 30 contact hours of continuing education (one contact hour equals 60 minutes of instruction).
- Maintain certification by a national certifying body recognized by the Board.
- Complete an accredited academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the Board.
- Have your competency verified by a licensed health care facility or qualifying physician's office, plus at least 500 hours practiced, as evidenced by employer certification.
- Acceptable CE can be classroom, online, professional journals, correspondence, or independent study - from an accepted provider.
Stop tracking this in a spreadsheet
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — freeWhen is your deadline?
Georgia RN licenses renew on a two-year biennial cycle. Renewal runs through the Georgia Online Licensing system under the Secretary of State. Pick your competency option before you renew, and keep documentation - whether that is CE certificates, your certification card, transcripts, or an employer verification - in case the Board asks.
How CredTally keeps this on autopilot
- Choose your route - 30 hours, certification, or practice-plus-verification - and CredTally tracks the one you picked, showing exactly what is still owed if you are on the hours path.
- Snap a photo of each certificate, your certification card, or your employer verification as you complete it; it is stored privately with the requirement it satisfies.
- Reminder emails at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before your renewal date, with your remaining hours in the subject line.
- If the Board asks for proof, export a dated PDF packet of your whole cycle - summary plus every document - in one click.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does a Georgia RN need to renew?
Thirty contact hours of continuing education every two-year biennial renewal - but that is only one of five accepted continuing competency options, so you may be able to renew without CE hours.
Can national certification replace CE hours in Georgia?
Yes. Maintaining certification by a national certifying body recognized by the Board is one of the five competency options and can satisfy the requirement in place of 30 CE hours.
Does Georgia accept practice hours instead of CE?
It can. One option combines competency verification by a qualifying health care facility or physician's office with at least 500 hours practiced, as evidenced by employer certification.
How often do Georgia RN licenses renew?
Every two years, on a biennial cycle, through the Georgia Secretary of State online licensing system. You choose one continuing competency option for each renewal period.
Official sources
CredTally is a record-keeping tool and is not affiliated with any licensing board. This guide is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
CredTally tracks all of this for you
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
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