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    Texas · Registered Nurse

    Texas Registered Nurse CE Audit Guide

    Receiving a notice for a continuing education audit can feel stressful, but it doesn't have to be. These reviews are a standard part of professional licensure, designed to ensure registered nurses maintain high standards of practice. This guide provides a straightforward overview of the process to help you feel prepared and confident.

    As a registered nurse in Texas, you are responsible for maintaining proof of 20 hours of continuing education for each two-year renewal cycle. The Texas Board of Nursing may conduct a random audit to verify compliance. This guide outlines the requirements set forth in the Texas Administrative Code to help you successfully navigate a CE audit.

    This information is intended as a helpful guide and not as legal advice. The official rules governing continuing education for registered nurses in Texas are found at 22 Texas Administrative Code §216.3. Always refer to the official regulations and the Texas Board of Nursing for the most current and complete requirements.

    Texas nursing CE: the CE Module replaced the old attest-and-wait process

    Beginning September 1, 2026, nurses renewing or reactivating a Texas nursing license must document compliance with continuing competency requirements through the CE Module in the Texas Nurse Portal before submitting the renewal or reactivation application. This is the Texas Board of Nursing's own nurse-licensing system. It is a different system from CE Broker, which some other Texas boards use for non-nursing professions.

    Entering your CE in the Module upfront does not replace the Board's ability to review licensees afterward. The Board can still request supporting documentation or compare what was entered against your records.

    A few requirements are commonly described incorrectly, so it's worth getting these right directly from Board of Nursing guidance:

    • Human trafficking prevention training approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is due before the end of every licensing period for applicable direct-care nurses, not a one-time course, subject to applicable exemptions.
    • Nursing jurisprudence and ethics (2 contact hours) is due before the end of every third two-year licensing period, not every renewal.
    • The 20-hour general CE requirement can be met either with 20 contact hours in your area of practice or by achieving, maintaining, or renewing a Board-approved national nursing certification in that area, while still meeting any applicable targeted CE topics.
    • CE requirements, including applicable targeted CE, are waived for a nurse's first license renewal when the renewal application is submitted before expiration or within 90 days after expiration. That waiver is about CE, not about practicing on an expired license.

    Keep copies of your certificates and CE Module entries. If your hours fall short, contact the Board promptly rather than assuming an automatic makeup period or a purely administrative outcome; how a shortfall is handled depends on the circumstances.

    Reviewed October 9, 2026.

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    Quick facts

    Board Name
    Texas Board of Nursing
    Renewal Cycle
    Biennial (every 2 years)
    CE Period
    Biennial, in the 2 years preceding license renewal
    Rule Citation
    22 Texas Administrative Code §216.3
    Hour Requirement
    20 contact hours every 2 years, or achievement/maintenance/renewal of a Board-approved national nursing certification in your area of practice, plus applicable targeted topics. Must be completed within the two-year period immediately preceding renewal.
    State-Mandated Topics
    Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics: 2 contact hours, required every third two-year licensing period; Older Adult or Geriatric Care: 2 contact hours (for RNs whose practice includes the older adult or geriatric population); Human Trafficking Prevention: an HHSC-approved course required each licensing period, not a one-time course.
    Records Retention
    4 years (two renewal cycles)

    Governing authority and what the rule requires

    The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is granted authority by the Texas Legislature under the Nurse Practice Act, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 301. The BON enforces the Nurse Practice Act and sets rules for licensure and practice, including continuing competency requirements for all nurses. These specific CE rules are detailed in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 11, Chapter 216.

    How Texas RN CE audits typically work

    Beginning September 1, 2026, nurses must enter information documenting compliance with continuing competency requirements through the CE Module in the Texas Nurse Portal before submitting a renewal or reactivation application. This upfront entry works alongside, not instead of, the Board’s ability to verify compliance afterward. After renewal, the Board can still review a sample of licensees, or compare Module entries against submitted documentation, to confirm what was reported. Most reviews close quietly when records match what was entered. The continuing competency requirements for registered nurses are established in 22 Texas Administrative Code §216.3.

    • Enter your completed CE into the CE Module in your Texas Nurse Portal account before you submit your renewal or reactivation application.
    • The Texas Board of Nursing can still review licensees after renewal to verify that CE Module entries and any supporting documentation are accurate.
    • If selected, you will receive a notification letter from the board, typically by mail or secure email.
    • The notice will specify the compliance period being audited.
    • You are generally given 30 days from the date of the notice to submit copies of your CE documentation.
    • Board staff reviews your submitted certificates to ensure they match the contact-hour requirement and include all mandated topics.
    • You will receive a final letter from the board indicating whether you successfully met the audit requirements or if further action is needed.

    Documentation commonly requested

    Audit notices are usually specific about what they want. Read the notice slowly and make a checklist directly from it. The most common items requested for RNs include:

    • Copies of certificates of completion for each CE activity taken during the audit period.
    • Each certificate should clearly show the provider name and accreditation (ANCC, state board approval number, or accepted accreditor), course title, date(s) of attendance, number of contact hours awarded, and your name as it appears on your license.
    • Proof of completion for any state-mandated topics required by Texas.
    • A personal CE log or spreadsheet tracking course dates, titles, providers, hours, and topic mapping.
    • If you used a competency or practice-hours pathway in lieu of contact hours, documentation supporting that pathway (employer verification, practice logs, certification copies).

    Texas-specific mandated topics

    Beyond a total hour count, Texas requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.

    • A minimum of two (2) contact hours must be in Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics, due before the end of every third two-year licensing period. This course covers the Texas Nurse Practice Act, BON rules, and standards of nursing practice.
    • Nurses whose practice involves the older adult or geriatric population must complete at least two (2) contact hours in a topic related to the care of older adults.
    • A human trafficking prevention course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission must be completed before the end of every licensing period, not just once. Check for applicable exemptions.

    Common pitfalls RNs run into

    • Assuming the Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics course is due every cycle rather than every third licensing period, or missing it entirely when it is due.
    • Assuming human trafficking prevention training is a one-time course rather than a requirement for each licensing period.
    • Forgetting to complete the 2-hour geriatric care requirement if your practice setting includes older adults.
    • Not retaining CE certificates for the required four-year period.
    • Assuming extra hours can be carried over to the next renewal period (they cannot).

    How to assemble a clean response

    Gather your records in one place. A folder on your desktop, a printed binder, or a shared drive all work. You don't need a complicated system. You just need to be able to find things.

    Name each PDF clearly with the date, course title, hours, and topic. Group certificates by category that maps to the board's request: mandated topics first, then general contact hours. Add a one-page cover sheet that summarizes total hours and points the reviewer to the matching documents.

    If your hours fall short

    First-time shortfalls are usually handled administratively. Boards generally allow a defined window to complete makeup hours and submit updated documentation. Honest, prompt communication is far better than silence.

    If the shortfall is significant or repeated, the board may move toward formal action. At that point, calm documentation of how you are coming into compliance, plus a written plan to prevent recurrence, makes a meaningful difference.

    Possible outcomes

    • If an audit reveals non-compliance, the Board of Nursing may take disciplinary action as authorized by the Nurse Practice Act, 301.452. This can include a warning, a fine, required completion of specific educational courses, or denial of the license renewal until requirements are met. The specific outcome depends on the nature of the deficiency and the nurse's history.
    • Under 22 TAC §216, the Board may withhold renewal until outstanding continuing competency requirements are completed and documented. Confirm the current deferral window directly with the Board rather than relying on a fixed number of months.
    • Disciplinary actions are public information and may be published by the Board.
    • Intentional misrepresentation of CE completion can lead to more severe sanctions against the nurse's license.

    A simple audit-response checklist

    1. 1Read the audit notice slowly. Note the deadline and exact list of documents requested.
    2. 2Make a simple folder labeled with the cycle dates being audited.
    3. 3Pull certificates of completion for every CE activity in that cycle.
    4. 4Match each certificate to the topic area or category your board requires.
    5. 5Save proof of license renewal and any required attestations.
    6. 6If a certificate is missing, contact the provider for a duplicate before the deadline.
    7. 7Scan everything as clean PDFs, named with date and course title.
    8. 8Submit through the channel the board requests. Keep a copy and a confirmation.
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    Frequently asked questions

    No. The requirement is for 20 contact hours to be completed during the entire two-year period leading up to your license renewal date.

    No. Contact hours cannot be carried over from one renewal period to the next. All 20 hours must be earned within your current two-year license period.

    The Texas Board of Nursing waives CE requirements, including applicable targeted CE, for a nurse’s first license renewal, as long as the renewal application is submitted before the license expires or within 90 days after expiration. This waiver is not permission to practice on an expired license, so confirm your license status before you continue working.

    Beginning September 1, 2026, you must enter information documenting your continuing competency compliance into the CE Module in your Texas Nurse Portal account before you submit your renewal or reactivation application. The Board can still request supporting documentation or review a sample of licensees afterward to verify what was entered.

    Yes, courses such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) that are part of a provider's in-service program may count toward CE hours. However, the Jurisprudence/Ethics and Geriatric Care requirements must be met with separate, targeted coursework.

    No. The requirement for 2 contact hours related to older adult or geriatric care only applies to nurses whose practice includes this patient population. If your practice is exclusively with other populations, you are not required to complete this specific topic.

    Yes. BoardWise offers optional attorney document review: once your response is drafted, we can match you with an independent attorney licensed in Texas who reviews and suggests revisions before you submit anything to the board. It is a focused, limited-scope review rather than a full retainer, so you get a professional set of eyes on your wording, tone, and disclosures at a fixed fee. What does the attorney review cost? Pricing depends on the complexity of your matter and the scope of review, but most BoardWise lawyer reviews are approximately $250–$500. You’ll see the specific fee before deciding whether to proceed. Optional limited-scope attorney review may be available for an additional fixed fee. Attorney availability, conflicts review, eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply. If an attorney accepts the matter, the client will contract with and pay the independent attorney directly.

    Real Outcomes Reported by BoardWise Users

    BoardWise users have reported outcomes including:

    • Complaint dismissals
    • Successful responses to board inquiries
    • Passing continuing education audits
    • Early probation termination
    • Improved understanding of licensing board procedures

    Individual outcomes vary and depend on the facts of each case.

    Optional Attorney Document Review

    Before you send anything to the board, BoardWise can match registered nurse in Texas with an independent, state-licensed attorney for an optional limited-scope review of the document you prepared:

    • We match you with an independent attorney licensed in your state
    • They review and suggest revisions to your document before you submit it to the board
    • Focused, limited-scope review at a fixed fee rather than a full retainer
    • A second set of eyes on wording, tone, and anything that may need a closer look

    What does the attorney review cost? Pricing depends on the complexity of your matter and the scope of review, but most BoardWise lawyer reviews are approximately $250–$500. You’ll see the specific fee before deciding whether to proceed.

    Optional limited-scope attorney review may be available for an additional fixed fee. Attorney availability, conflicts review, eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply. If an attorney accepts the matter, the client will contract with and pay the independent attorney directly.

    Print & FedEx Overnight Delivery

    Finishing the document is only part of the job. BoardWise Document Delivery lets registered nurse in Texas send the finished packet straight to the board without a trip to the post office:

    • FedEx Overnight delivery for street addresses when your deadline is close
    • USPS Priority Express and USPS Certified Mail for P.O. Box board addresses
    • Printing, packaging, and postage handled for you, with tracking on every order
    • Confirmation and tracking details emailed to you as your package moves

    What does it cost? $150 for FedEx Overnight and $99 for USPS Priority Express or Certified Mail. You see the exact price and the full address details before you authorize the order.

    Printing and mailing are fulfilled by Mailform. You are responsible for meeting your own deadline, so keep an electronic copy and watch the tracking information.

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    BoardWise is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. This guide is educational only and reflects general practice in the United States. Your state licensing board is the official source for current requirements. If your situation involves formal discipline or a hearing, consider consulting a licensed attorney in your state.

    Related reading

    Utah Registered Nurse CE Audit GuideTennessee Registered Nurse CE Audit GuideAlabama Registered Nurse CE Audit GuideWhat Happens If You Fail a CE Audit?

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