CNE, CME, CEU & Contact Hours: What Nurses Need to Know About Continuing Education
Continuing education is essential to maintaining professional competence, staying current with evolving practice standards, and meeting state Board of Nursing renewal requirements. But the terminology surrounding continuing education can be confusing. CNE, CME, CEU, contact hours—what do they all mean, and which ones actually count for nurses?
This guide breaks down the differences in a clear, nurse-focused way.
Why Continuing Education Matters for Nurses
Continuing education helps nurses:
- Maintain licensure
- Keep up with clinical advancements
- Meet mandatory state requirements
- Renew specialty certifications
- Support professional development
Knowing the differences between CNE, CME, CEUs, and contact hours prevents mistakes on renewal applications and ensures the education you choose is accepted by your Board of Nursing.
Understanding the Key Terms
1. CNE – Continuing Nursing Education
What it is
CNE is education created specifically for nurses, approved or authorized by a state Board of Nursing or another recognized accrediting body.
Who needs it
RNs, LPNs/LVNs, and APRNs typically use CNE to meet:
- State license renewal requirements
- Certification renewal
- Clinical competency expectations
How it is measured
CNE is measured in contact hours, but how a contact hour is defined varies by state:
- Many boards define 1 contact hour = 60 minutes of learning
- Some boards define 1 contact hour = 50 minutes of learning
Providers follow the definition required by the board that approves the course.
Why it matters
Most state Boards of Nursing require CNE for renewal and do not accept CME or CEU unless specifically allowed.
2. CME – Continuing Medical Education
What it is
CME is education designed for physicians, accredited through medical education bodies such as the ACCME.
Does CME count for nurses?
Usually no.
However, some states permit specific CME courses to meet nursing requirements, including topics such as:
- Pain management
- Controlled substance prescribing
- Human trafficking
- APRN pharmacology or prescriptive authority
Always check your state Board of Nursing rules.
3. CEU – Continuing Education Unit
What it is
A CEU is a general continuing education measurement used across various professions, but not typically used in nursing.
How it is measured
1 CEU = 10 contact hours.
Why it causes confusion
The term “CEU” is often used informally, but:
- Most Boards of Nursing require contact hours, not CEUs
- CEUs are only valid for nursing if they come from an approved provider and list contact-hour equivalency
Always check for the state BON approval statement.
4. Contact Hours
What they are
Contact hours are the primary measurement for nursing continuing education.
Important: Definitions vary
Depending on state or accrediting body:
- 1 contact hour = 60 minutes of instruction, OR
- 1 contact hour = 50 minutes of instruction
Course providers must use the definition required by the approving Board of Nursing.
Relationship to other terms
- CNE = measured in contact hours
- CME ≠ contact hours unless converted or accepted by state
- CEUs must be converted
Summary Comparison Table
| Term | Audience | Accrediting/Approving Body | Accepted for Nursing Renewal? | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNE | Nurses | State BONs or approved nursing bodies | Yes | Contact Hours (50–60 min depending on state) |
| CME | Physicians/APRNs | ACCME, medical accreditors | Sometimes (topic-specific) | CME Credits |
| CEU | General workforce | Various | Rarely | 1 CEU = 10 Contact Hours |
| Contact Hours | Nurses | BON-approved CE providers | Yes | 50–60 minutes per hour |
Which Type Should Nurses Choose?
For license renewal, nurses should seek:
- State Board of Nursing–approved education
- Courses that award contact hours
- Certificates with required state BON approval language
CME or CEUs may count in select circumstances, but only when explicitly allowed by the Board of Nursing.
Conclusion
For nurses, the most important distinctions are:
- CNE is the standard educational requirement.
- CME and CEUs are not automatically accepted.
- Contact hours may equal 50 or 60 minutes depending on state regulations.
Understanding these differences ensures nurses choose education that fully meets licensure and professional requirements.
References
American Nurses Association. Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) Standards.
ACCME – Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. CME Accreditation Criteria.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Licensure Requirements and Continuing Education Resources.
State Boards of Nursing Continuing Education Rules (examples):
-
Texas Board of Nursing – Continuing Nursing Education Requirements
-
California Board of Registered Nursing – Continuing Education Requirements
-
Florida Board of Nursing – Continuing Education Requirements
-
Ohio Board of Nursing – CE Definitions and Contact Hour Requirements
U.S. Department of Education. Definition and Use of Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Nursing Education and Continuing Professional Development Definitions.
