Authored by Dr. Pam Vollmer, DNP, RN, AMB-BC, NPD-BC, CEO and Director of Content at CE Ready

What Nurses Need to Know

Mississippi nursing CEUs changed in 2020, and much of the information online is now outdated. The Mississippi Board of Nursing repealed its routine continuing education rule that February. Actively practicing RNs and LPNs currently have no standard CE requirement to renew their licenses. One exception applies. Nurses returning after more than five years out of practice must complete 20 contact hours earned in the prior two years. APRNs carry a separate, current requirement. Each certification period, an APRN completes a minimum of five contact hours related to controlled substances, reported through CE Broker. This applies to every APRN, regardless of prescriptive authority. Licenses renew every two years, with RNs renewing in even years and LPNs in odd years. Knowing your license type tells you exactly what applies to you right now.

The 2020 Rule Change Most Sources Miss

Mississippi made a major change to its continuing education rules that many websites still have not caught up with.

The Mississippi Board of Nursing reports that Title 30 Mississippi Administrative Code Part 2815 was repealed in February 2020. That rule had governed continuing education. Its repeal removed the routine CE requirement that previously applied to nurses at every renewal. Many CE vendors and older guides still list a flat 20-hour requirement for all nurses. That information no longer reflects current Board rules.

The practical effect is straightforward. An actively practicing RN or LPN in Mississippi currently has no standard continuing education requirement tied to license renewal. You renew your license without submitting a set number of CE hours, provided you have remained in practice.

This makes Mississippi unusual among states, most of which mandate a specific number of hours every cycle. The change matters because acting on outdated information wastes time and money. Before buying a CE package marketed as Mississippi’s required hours, confirm what your specific license actually requires. The sections ahead break that down by license type. We start with the one exception that still triggers a CE requirement for RNs and LPNs.

When RNs and LPNs Still Need CEUs

Even without a routine requirement, one situation still triggers continuing education for Mississippi RNs and LPNs.

The Mississippi Board of Nursing requires CE when a nurse has been out of practice for more than five years. An RN or LPN in that situation must complete a minimum of 20 contact hours of accepted continuing education. The application may be for renewal, endorsement, or reinstatement. Those hours must be earned in the two-year period immediately before the application.

This rule serves a clear purpose. A nurse returning after a long absence benefits from refreshing clinical knowledge before resuming patient care. The 20-hour requirement helps returning nurses re-enter practice with current information, which protects both the nurse and patients.

For everyone else, continuing education in Mississippi is currently voluntary, though that does not make it pointless. Nurses pursue CE for several reasons. Common goals include keeping skills sharp, preparing for a specialty, or maintaining national certification that carries its own CE rules. One contact hour in Mississippi equals 60 minutes of instruction, so you can plan voluntary learning around your goals. CE Ready’s Mississippi course catalog offers options for nurses who choose to keep learning, whether returning to practice or simply staying current.

Mississippi APRN CEU Requirements

Advanced practice registered nurses are the exception to Mississippi’s relaxed approach, since they carry a specific, current requirement.

The Mississippi Board of Nursing requires each APRN to complete a minimum of five contact hours of continuing education directly related to controlled substances per state certification period. One detail surprises many nurses. This requirement applies to all APRNs, irrespective of controlled-substance prescriptive authority. Even an APRN who does not prescribe controlled substances must complete these five hours.

The certification period runs from January 1 of an odd year through December 31 of the following even year. Within that window, you complete the five controlled-substance hours and document them. CE Ready offers a 2026 Mississippi APRN renewal bundle built around controlled-substance content. Individual courses on opioid prescribing and non-opioid controlled substances are also available.

New APRNs receive a brief grace period. An APRN who graduated from an accredited master’s or higher program within the last two years is exempt for the first renewal of state certification only. After that first renewal, the five-hour requirement applies every certification period. Confirming whether the exemption applies to you prevents both wasted effort and accidental noncompliance.

How APRNs Report CEUs Through CE Broker

Mississippi requires APRNs to use CE Broker, and understanding the system keeps your renewal smooth.

The Mississippi Board of Nursing requires each APRN to register for a basic user account with CE Broker. That account manages your continuing education documents. Beyond registering, you upload your national board certification information as a PDF. You also upload your CE certificates as evidence of completing the five controlled-substance hours. This creates a clear digital record the Board can review.

A good provider removes much of the manual work here. CE Ready handles CE Broker reporting on your behalf in participating states under CE Broker provider number 50-41474. Your completed credits then post to your record without extra uploads from you. You still confirm your certification documents are in place, but your course hours report automatically.

The Board may audit compliance at any time. Selected APRNs must submit certificates, transcripts, or other documentation within 10 business days of receiving notice. Keeping your certificates organized and your CE Broker account current turns an audit into a quick task. Saving each certificate as you finish a course is the simplest habit to build.

What Counts as Accepted CEUs

Voluntary CEUs in Mississippi still need to meet basic quality standards, so knowing what counts protects your time.

Accepted continuing education comes from nationally recognized, accredited providers. An ANCC-accredited provider is a safe choice, since its hours are widely accepted and well documented. Choosing accredited coursework matters most for two groups. Returning nurses completing the 20-hour requirement need accepted hours that the Board will recognize. APRNs completing their controlled-substance hours need documentation that holds up in CE Broker and during an audit.

For voluntary learners, accredited CE still carries advantages. It supports national certification renewal, transfers cleanly if you move to a state with active requirements, and signals professional commitment to employers. One contact hour equals 60 minutes of instruction, which makes planning straightforward. Keeping a simple record of each completed course also helps. It makes future renewals easier if Mississippi or your home state adds requirements later. Whether your CE is required or voluntary, accredited hours give you confidence that the time you invest actually counts.

Mississippi Renewal Timing by License Type

Mississippi ties renewal to a two-year cycle, and the year depends on your license type.

Every Mississippi nursing license covers a two-year period, with renewal opening September 1 and closing December 31. The year alternates by license. RNs renew in even-numbered years, while LPNs renew in odd-numbered years. APRNs follow the even-year cycle alongside RNs, with their certification period structured around it.

Knowing your renewal year well ahead of time keeps the process calm. An RN whose license expires in an even year can plan any voluntary or returning-to-practice hours with months to spare. For an APRN, mapping out the five controlled-substance hours across the certification period beats rushing them in December.

Late renewal carries consequences worth avoiding. A license not renewed by the deadline lapses, and a lapsed license means you cannot practice until reinstatement. Reinstatement adds fees and, for nurses out more than five years, the 20-hour CE requirement. Marking your renewal window on a calendar each cycle is a small step that prevents a stressful and costly lapse.

License Type	Renewal Year	Current CE Requirement
RN	Even years	None routine; 20 hours if out of practice 5+ years
LPN	Odd years	None routine; 20 hours if out of practice 5+ years
APRN	Even years	5 contact hours on controlled substances per period

A Note for Nurses Who Practice Across State Lines

Mississippi is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which matters for nurses who work in more than one state.

The compact, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, lets a nurse whose primary residence is in a member state practice in other member states on one multistate license. Mississippi participates in the compact. So a nurse holding a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Mississippi without a separate Mississippi license.

Your continuing education obligations follow your home state. A nurse whose primary residence is Mississippi follows Mississippi’s current rules, including the relaxed RN and LPN approach. Suppose your primary residence is another compact state and you practice in Mississippi. You then follow your home state’s CE requirements while practicing under Mississippi’s scope of practice.

One point deserves attention for advanced practice nurses. The compact covers RN and LPN licenses, not APRN licensure. So an APRN practicing in Mississippi must hold Mississippi APRN authorization and meet the state’s controlled-substance CE requirement. Knowing which rules apply to your role and residence prevents compliance surprises when you work across state lines.

Putting Your Mississippi CEU Plan Together

A short planning routine keeps Mississippi renewal simple, whatever your license type.

Start by confirming your renewal year and your situation. RNs and LPNs in active practice can renew without CE, while those returning after five years need 20 hours. APRNs plan their five controlled-substance hours each certification period. Next, match your effort to your actual requirement rather than to outdated guides. Avoid buying hours you do not need, and avoid skipping hours you do. For APRNs, set up your CE Broker account early and confirm your national certification documents are uploaded.

From there, choose any voluntary CE around goals that strengthen your practice. Keep every certificate organized in one place, since the Board can request documentation from APRNs during an audit. Checking the Board’s website once before each renewal confirms nothing has changed since your last cycle. Nurses who confirm their current requirement first, then plan around it, rarely run into renewal surprises. A little accurate preparation now protects your license and your wallet later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do Mississippi RNs and LPNs need continuing education?

Currently, actively practicing Mississippi RNs and LPNs have no routine continuing education requirement. The Mississippi Board of Nursing repealed its standard CE rule in February 2020. One exception remains: nurses returning after more than five years out of practice must complete 20 contact hours earned in the prior two years for renewal, endorsement, or reinstatement.

Q: What are the Mississippi APRN CE requirements?

Mississippi APRNs must complete a minimum of five contact hours of continuing education directly related to controlled substances per state certification period. This requirement applies to all APRNs, regardless of whether they hold controlled-substance prescriptive authority. APRNs also register with CE Broker and upload their national certification and CE documentation through the system.

Q: Why do some websites still list a 20-hour Mississippi requirement?

Many CE vendors and older guides have not updated their information since the Mississippi Board of Nursing repealed its routine CE rule in February 2020. The previously required hours no longer apply to actively practicing RNs and LPNs. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Board before relying on third-party summaries.

Q: When do Mississippi nurses renew their licenses?

Mississippi licenses renew every two years, with the renewal window running September 1 through December 31. RNs renew in even-numbered years, while LPNs renew in odd-numbered years. APRNs follow the even-year cycle. Renewing before the December 31 deadline prevents a lapse that would require reinstatement before you could practice again.

Q: Does Mississippi use CE Broker?

Mississippi uses CE Broker for APRNs, who must register for a basic account to manage their continuing education and certification documents. The Board requires APRNs to upload national board certification and CE certificates through the system. Some providers, including CE Ready, report completed credits to CE Broker on the nurse’s behalf in participating states.

Q: Is continuing education worth doing if Mississippi does not require it?

Yes, for many nurses. Even without a routine mandate, voluntary CE keeps clinical skills current, supports national certification that carries its own requirements, and prepares nurses for new roles or specialties. Nurses returning after time away also benefit from refreshing their knowledge before resuming patient care, beyond the formal 20-hour rule.

Call to Action

Mississippi CEUs come down to knowing your license type and your situation. CE Ready helps you act on accurate information. As an ANCC-accredited provider, provider number P0986, and a Mississippi Board of Nursing approved provider, CE Ready offers the controlled-substance courses APRNs need, handles CE Broker reporting under provider number 50-41474, and provides voluntary CE for RNs and LPNs who want to stay sharp or return to practice. Explore CE Ready’s Mississippi courses and renew with confidence.

References

CE Broker. (n.d.). CE Ready provider profile. https://courses.cebroker.com/providers/41474-ce-ready

Mississippi Board of Nursing. (n.d.). Are CEUs required in order to maintain a nursing license? https://www.msbn.ms.gov/node/196

Mississippi Board of Nursing. (n.d.). CE Broker. https://www.msbn.ms.gov/ce-broker

National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (n.d.). Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). https://www.ncsbn.org/compacts.page