Virginia LPN Continuing Education Requirements

Renewing your Virginia LPN license? Virginia gives nurses several ways to meet continued competency requirements for license renewal. Two options allow nurses to meet the requirement through continuing education.

Virginia LPN Continued Competency Requirements

Virginia LPNs renewing an active license must complete at least one of the continued competency options recognized by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

15 Contact Hours + 640 Hours of Active Practice

Complete at least 15 contact hours of workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses relevant to nursing practice and at least 640 hours of active nursing practice.

30 Contact Hours

Complete at least 30 contact hours of workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses relevant to nursing practice.

Virginia also recognizes other continued competency pathways. Nurses should review the Virginia Board of Nursing requirements to determine which option applies to their individual renewal circumstances.

Which Virginia CE Option Is Right for You?

If you have completed at least 640 hours of active nursing practice, the 15-contact-hour pathway may be an option for you.

If you are using Virginia's 30-contact-hour pathway, you may complete 30 contact hours of qualifying nursing continuing education without the 640-hour active-practice component.

Virginia does not allow nurses to combine portions of different continued competency options; one qualifying option must be completed in full. 

15 Contact Hours + 640 Hours of Active Practice

If you have completed at least 640 hours of active nursing practice, the 15-contact-hour pathway may be an option for you.

View the Virginia 15-Hour CE Bundle →

30 Contact Hours

If you are using Virginia's 30-contact-hour pathway, you may complete 30 contact hours of qualifying nursing continuing education without the 640-hour active-practice component.

What Types of Continuing Education Does Virginia Recognize?

For the 15-hour and 30-hour pathways, Virginia requires the workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses to be relevant to nursing practice and offered by a provider recognized or approved under Virginia regulations.

Recognized sources include the Virginia Board of Nursing or another state board of nursing, along with other organizations and providers specified in Virginia's regulations. 

Virginia LPN Continuing Education FAQs

Can I use the 15-hour option if I have not worked 640 hours?

The 15-contact-hour option is paired with at least 640 hours of active nursing practice. If you do not meet the practice component, you would need to meet another qualifying continued competency option.

Do newly licensed LPNs have to complete continued competency for their first renewal?

Virginia exempts a licensee from the continued competency requirement for the first renewal following initial licensure by examination or endorsement. 

Can continuing education be completed online?

Virginia's continued competency regulation focuses on whether the course is relevant to nursing practice and whether it is offered by a recognized or approved provider. Nurses should verify that their education meets the applicable Virginia requirements.

Where can I verify Virginia's official requirements?

You can review the current requirements directly through the Virginia Board of Nursing.

View Official Virginia Board of Nursing Requirements →

Complete Your Virginia LPN Continuing Education

Whether you're using Virginia's 15-contact-hour plus active-practice pathway or the 30-contact-hour pathway, LVN Learning Institute provides convenient online continuing education you can complete at your own pace.

Choose the CE option that fits your renewal pathway and get started today.

Important: Continuing education and license renewal requirements are established by the Virginia Board of Nursing and are subject to change. Nurses are responsible for determining which continued competency option applies to their individual license and renewal circumstances. Always verify current requirements with the Virginia Board of Nursing.