Connecticut Nurse Practitioner CE Requirements

Renewal cycle

1-year APRN license renewal, but CE is measured over a 24-month period (50 hours per 2 years)

Total CE hours

50 contact hours per 24-month period for APRN license renewal (Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-94a; applies to renewals after Oct 1, 2014). First renewal is exempt.

Pharmacology CE

5 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics per 24-month CE period — confirmed on the official CT DPH APRN Continuing Education page ("at least five (5) contact hours of training or education in pharmacotherapeutics").

Controlled-substance CE

At least 1 contact hour (within the 50) in substance abuse, 'including, but not limited to, prescribing controlled substances and pain management' — confirmed on the official DPH page. No separate state opioid course beyond this. Federal DEA MATE Act one-time 8-hour training applies to DEA registrants.

Good to know

Other mandatory topics within the 50 hours: 1 hour each in diseases (incl. AIDS/HIV), risk management, sexual assault, domestic violence, cultural competency; plus 2 contact hours on mental health conditions common to veterans and their families (first renewal period after Jan 1, 2016, then once every 6 years) — directly relevant content area for PMHNPs. No CE submission at renewal; attestation with retention of records for 3 years and 45-day production on DPH audit. CT is independent-practice for APRNs after 3 years/2,000 hours of collaborative practice.

Official sources