Minnesota Nursing CEU Requirements: Complete Guide for RNs, LPNs & APRNs

CEU Requirements for Minnesota Nurses (2025): Everything You Need to Know
Minnesota Nurse License Renewal: CEU Credit Rules & Continuing Education Guide

📘 What Are CEU Credits?

  • CEU (Continuing Education Unit) typically equals 10 contact hours of continuing education. However, Minnesota refers to contact hours, where 1 hour = 60 minutes of instruction mn.gov+15mn.gov+15nursingce.com+15.

📅 Renewal Cycle & Hour Requirements

Per Minnesota Board of Nursing:

Renewal deadlines align with the end of your birth month, and initial licensure periods may vary from 6 to 29 months depending on that date nurse.com+2mn.gov+2incrediblehealth.com+2.

✅ Acceptable CE Activities

You may fulfill your CE hours through:

Each activity must have:

  1. Clear learning objectives;
  2. Be in-person or online (no blanket online limits in MN);
  3. Be taught by qualified instructors;
  4. Provide completion documentation including date, provider, objectives, hours, and attendance proof nursingce.com+12mn.gov+12nurse.com+12.

🧾 Record Keeping & Audits

  • Retain your CE documentation for at least two years after the renewal date nurse.com+7mn.gov+7renewnowce.com+7.
  • MN Board may randomly audit submissions; failure to produce documentation can result in hours being invalidated or other disciplinary action .

Nursing 101 – Staying Focused A Tribute to Nurses

🛠️ Practical Steps for MN Nurses

  1. Track your CE early. Keep records—certificates, transcripts, agendas—organized chronologically.
  2. Use approved providers. Choose ANCC-accredited platforms or local hospitals, colleges, and professional associations popular in Minnesota.
  3. Consider elective paths: Specialty certification or active engagement in educational roles can fulfill large hour requirements.
  4. Check APRN requirements. If you have prescriptive privileges, ensure you complete the 2‑hour controlled substances module.
  5. Prepare for renewal: The Board sends reminders 2–3 months before your expiration date. Ensure your CE aligns with your licensure period length nurse.comnursece4less.com+2renewnowce.com+2incrediblehealth.com+2.

🗓️ Quick Summary Table

License TypeHours RequiredFrequencyNotes
RN24Every 2 years (birth‑month based)1 hr/month of licensure
LPN12Every 2 years1 hr per 2 months
APRN24 via certificationConcurrent with RN+2 hrs if prescribing

🎯 MN-Specific Guidance

🟢 Final Tips

  • Begin accumulating CE as soon as your license starts—don’t wait.
  • Choose a mix of course topics and professional engagement to meet credits while enriching your practice.
  • Stay audit-ready with organized record-keeping.
  • Keep an eye out for updates from the MN Board, especially surrounding controlled substance education updates for APRNs.

Does a BLS cpr class qualify for CEU or CME credits?

It depends on your profession and the accrediting organization. In general, Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR classes can qualify for CEU or CME credits, especially if they’re taken through an American Heart Association (AHA)–approved provider.

For example:

  • EMS professionals (like EMTs or paramedics) can often receive CE credits through CAPCE (Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education) if the course is properly documented.
  • Dental professionals in some states may also be eligible, as BLS is often a required component of continuing education.
  • However, some boards, like the California Board of Nursing, do not issue CE credits for BLS courses.

To be sure, it’s best to check with your licensing board or accrediting body. And if you took the course online, you may be able to claim your credits through the AHA’s eLearning portal once you’ve completed all course components.

Sources:

Minnesota Board of Nursing – Continuing Education Requirements
Minnesota Board of Nursing. (n.d.). Continuing Education Requirements.
Retrieved from https://mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/continuing-ed

Minnesota Board of Nursing – License Renewal FAQ
Minnesota Board of Nursing. (n.d.). License Renewal FAQ.
Retrieved from https://mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/license-renewal/renewal-faq.jsp

Nursing CE Central – Minnesota CE Requirements
Nursing CE Central. (n.d.). Minnesota’s State CE Requirements for Nurses.
Retrieved from https://support.nursingcecentral.com/minnesotas-state-ce-requirements

Nurse.com – Minnesota RN License Renewal Guide
Nurse.com. (n.d.). Minnesota RN License Renewal Requirements.
Retrieved from https://www.nurse.com/nursing-resources/rn-license-renewal-guides/minnesota-nurse-license-renewal-requirements

Renew Now CE – CE Requirements for RNs in MN
Renew Now CE. (2025, March 28). Minnesota RN CE Requirements.
Retrieved from https://renewnowce.com/blog/2025/03/28/minnesota-rn-ce-requirements

NetCE – Minnesota Nurse CE Requirements
NetCE. (n.d.). Minnesota Nursing CE Requirements.
Retrieved from https://www.netce.com/ce-requirements/nursing/MN

Western Schools – CE Requirements for Minnesota Nurses
Western Schools. (n.d.). Minnesota Nurse Continuing Education Requirements.
Retrieved from https://www.westernschools.com/nursing/minnesota/requirements

NurseCE4Less – Minnesota CEU Requirements
NurseCE4Less. (n.d.). Minnesota Nursing CEU Requirements.
Retrieved from https://nursece4less.com/nursing-ceu-requirements/minnesota-nursing-ceu-requirements

Incredible Health – CEU & Licensing Guide for Minnesota Nurses
Incredible Health. (n.d.). Minnesota Nursing CEU & License Requirements.
Retrieved from https://www.incrediblehealth.com/blog/minnesota-nursing-ceu-license-requirements

TAGS:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Troy Bowman
Troy has been the the VP and CFO of In-Pulse CPR since September, 2009. Troy is married to Mollie who is the owner and TCC for the company. Currently they have 7 children with several of them grown up. Troy enjoys outdoor activities including camping, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Current Reviews