- How many CE hours do I need to renew my professional license?
- The answer depends on both your profession and your state. Most healthcare professions (RNs, counselors, pharmacists, physical therapists) require 20–40 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. Real estate agents and appraisers typically need 14–30 hours. CPAs usually need 40 CPE hours per year. Select your profession and state above to see the exact hour count verified from your state licensing board.
- What topics are required for continuing education?
- Many states mandate that a portion of your CE cover specific topics — most commonly ethics, state law/jurisprudence, cultural competency, and safety. Counselors often need 6 hours of law-and-ethics plus suicide-risk training. Pharmacists typically need dedicated law hours. Real estate agents often need a required federal/state core course. The breakdown above shows the mandated topics and their required hours when your state board specifies them.
- Can I complete my CE courses online?
- Most states allow a significant portion of CE to be completed online or via self-paced study, though some cap online credit at 50% or require certain hours be live (synchronous) or in-person. Format rules vary by profession — nursing and counseling boards tend to be more permissive with online credit, while some trades (electricians, HVAC) require classroom hours for code updates. Check the Format & Delivery section in the result card for your profession's specific rules.
- What happens if I don't complete my CE on time?
- Consequences vary by state. Most boards charge a late renewal fee ($25–$250 is typical) plus additional penalty hours. If you let your license lapse past the grace period, you may need to submit a reinstatement application, pay a reinstatement fee, complete all delinquent CE, and in some cases retake the licensing exam. The tool above surfaces your state's specific late-renewal and reinstatement rules when they're documented.