Understanding Mandatory Continuing Education for Texas Nurses
Continuing education isn’t just a professional boost for nurses — it’s mandatory for maintaining an active nursing license in Texas. Whether you’re a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), the Texas Board of Nursing requires all licensed nurses to demonstrate continuing competency through ongoing learning and development.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what Texas nurses must complete to renew their licenses — and show you how a targeted CE package can simplify part of that process.
📌 Texas Continuing Education Requirements at a Glance
Under Texas Board of Nursing rules, nurses must show continuing competency in one of two ways every two-year licensure period:
- Complete at least 20 contact hours of Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) in your area of practice, OR
- Achieve or maintain a Board-approved national nursing certification.
These 20 contact hours are the minimum; many nurses choose to earn more to broaden their clinical knowledge and professional skills.
🎯 Targeted (Mandatory) Continuing Education Topics
In addition to the base requirement of 20 contact hours, Texas requires specific subject-area education depending on your role and practice setting. Some of the most common mandated topics include:
✔ Nursing Jurisprudence & Ethics
All Texas nurses must complete at least 2 contact hours in nursing jurisprudence and ethics within every third two-year licensing period (about every six years). This course must include:
- Texas Nursing Practice Act overview
- Texas Board of Nursing Rules and Standards
- Principles of nursing ethics & professional boundaries
These hours count toward the 20 total required contact hours.
✔ Geriatric/Older Adult Care
Nurses whose practice includes care of older adults may be required to complete 2 contact hours related to geriatric care.
✔ Human Trafficking Prevention
For nurses providing direct patient care, completing a Board-approved human trafficking prevention training course is required in each licensure period.
✔ Forensic Evidence Collection (One-Time)
If you work in emergency nursing or perform forensic exams, a forensic evidence collection course is required at least once.
Note: APRNs and other advanced practice roles may have additional targeted requirements such as pharmacotherapeutics or pain management education tailored to their scope of practice.
📚 Spotlight: Texas Nurses Mandatory Continuing Education Package
If you’re looking for a focused way to complete some of your state-mandated courses, the Texas Nurses Mandatory Continuing Education Package from Pedagogy Education is a solid option.
This package includes three key courses that align with Texas Board of Nursing targeted CE requirements:
✔ Human Trafficking Education for Texas Healthcare Professionals
This course helps satisfy the state’s human trafficking prevention education requirement — a must for many nurses who provide direct care.
✔ Nursing of the Geriatric Patient
Focused on caring for older adults, this course bolsters your understanding and competence working with a growing patient population.
✔ Texas Jurisprudence and Ethics
Designed to fulfill the jurisprudence and ethics requirement, this course reviews the Texas Nursing Practice Act, Board rules, and key ethical principles.
Together, these three courses offer 6.0 contact hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) and come at a discounted rate compared with buying individually. Certificates are available immediately upon successful completion.
🎓 Why This Package Works for Texas Nurses
- Targeted — Focuses on topics the Board specifically requires.
- Efficient — Earn 6 state-approved contact hours in one bundle.
- Affordable — Discounted relative to buying courses individually.
- Ready-to-Print Certificates — Perfect for audits and license renewal.
🔑 Final Thoughts
Texas nursing CE requirements may seem complex, but understanding the basics helps you stay compliant and grow as a professional. At a minimum, you’ll need to complete 20 contact hours in your practice area every two years, and meet specific subject-area requirements like jurisprudence & ethics, human trafficking education, and more.
The Texas Nurses Mandatory Continuing Education Package can help you check off several required topics in a streamlined, nurse-friendly way — freeing up time for the rest of your CE hours and day-to-day practice.
Stay educated. Stay compliant. And keep making a difference in patient care. 💙
