When an RN license expires and what renewing takes, for every state and DC: the cycle, the continuing education and the fee, each read on the state board of nursing's own pages.
| Alabama September 1 to December 31: single-state RN licenses in even-numbered years ($104.50), multistate in odd-numbered years ($204.50) |
| Alaska Every two years; all RN licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years; $200 ($100 prorated for licenses issued after December 1, 2025) |
| Arizona Every 4 years, by April 1; $160 |
| Arkansas Every two years, last day of your birth month (even/odd year matches birth year); first license runs 3 to 27 months; $100, plus $100 if late |
| California First license runs two birthdays, then every two years; $190 on time |
| Colorado RN licenses expire September 30 (renewal was open on the board's home page); check the board for your cycle |
| Connecticut Every year, in your birth month (the first renewal is the first birth month after licensure); $110 |
| Delaware Every two years; expires Feb 28, May 31 or Sept 30 of odd years (new licenses Sept 30); fee shown at renewal, late fee is 50% more, up to two months after expiry |
| District of Columbia Licenses issued since June 16, 2024 expire the last day of your birth month (renewal in odd or even years by birth year) |
| Florida Every two years, in one of three renewal groups; $75 on time |
| Georgia Every two years, due January 31 of the year it expires (late period February 1 to 28); $65 |
| Hawaii Every two years; the current biennium ends June 30, 2027 |
| Idaho Every two years, ending on your birthday (transition began April 1, 2026; old date August 31 of odd years); $70 renewal |
| Illinois Every two years; licenses expire May 31 of even-numbered years; $80 ($40 per year) |
| Indiana Every two years: RN licenses expire October 31 of odd-numbered years; $50 |
| Iowa Every three years, by the 15th of your birth month (first period 24 to 36 months); $99 |
| Kansas Every two years, by the last day of your birth month (odd or even year matches your birth year); $85; renewal opens 90 days before |
| Kentucky Every year, September 15 to October 31; $55 plus statutory add-on fees |
| Louisiana First license runs to the end of the calendar year, then every two years; renew October 1 to December 31, expires January 31; $100 ($50 late fee after December 31) |
| Maine Every two years on or before your birthday (first license 1 to 2 years); $75; no grace period |
| Maryland Every two years, by the 28th of your birth month; $191 for an active RN (includes a $26 Maryland Health Care Commission fee); renew up to 90 days early |
| Massachusetts Every two years, on or before your birthday in even-numbered years (244 CMR 8.05) |
| Michigan Every two years; $131 |
| Minnesota Every 24 months, ending the last day of your birth month (odd or even year matches your birth year); $85 |
| Mississippi Every two years: RN licenses run January 1 of odd years to December 31 of even years; renew online by December 31 |
| Missouri Every two years: RN licenses expire April 30 of odd-numbered years; $85 |
| Montana Every two years, by December 31 (odd or even year, by your group); renewal opens November 2; $100 |
| Nebraska RN licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years |
| Nevada Renew within 60 days before expiration; $100, plus $100 if late (no grace period) |
| New Hampshire Every two years on your birthday (the first renewal is the second birthday after issue); $116 |
| New Jersey Every two years; $120 active |
| New Mexico First license runs one year plus the months to your birth month, then every two years; $110 |
| New York The license is for life; the registration renews every 3 years for $73 |
| North Carolina Every two years, by the last day of your birth month; $100 |
| North Dakota Every two years; the current group's licenses expire December 31, 2026; $140 |
| Ohio Every two years, in odd-numbered years: apply by September 15, lapses November 1. Fee capped at $65 |
| Oklahoma Every two years, through the Nurse Portal; $75 |
| Oregon Every two years; $245 under the board's 2025 fee rulemaking (the older rule text shows $145), plus surcharges |
| Pennsylvania Every two years, on your assigned date (April 30 or October 31, even or odd years); $122 |
| Rhode Island Every two years; licenses expire March 1 of every other year after issue |
| South Carolina Every two years; all nursing licenses expire April 30 of even-numbered years (next: April 30, 2028); $75 |
| South Dakota First license expires on your birthday in the second calendar year after issue, then every two years on your birthday; $95 plus $20 in program fees |
| Tennessee Every two years, due the last day of your birth month; $140 (initial licenses on or after April 8, 2026) |
| Texas Every two years by birth month; $68 for an RN |
| Utah Every two years: RN licenses expire January 31 of odd-numbered years; $68 |
| Vermont Every two years; renewal opens six weeks before the expiration date on your license; $220 |
| Virginia Every two years by the last day of your birth month (even or odd years by birth year); $140 |
| Washington Every year, on your birthday; $138 single-state, $158 multistate |
| West Virginia Every two years, May 1 to June 30 of even-numbered years; $90 |
| Wisconsin Every two years, by the end of February in even-numbered years; $73 |
| Wyoming Every even-numbered year, October 1 to December 31 (licenses issued in 2026 also renew in 2026); $90 |
The NCLEX-RN and the nursing certifications nurses take after it (CEN, CCRN, PCCN, CMSRN, CNOR), with every answer explained. Made by an RN. Free to start, no sign-up.
A study aid, not legal advice: your board of nursing has the final word, and its rules and fees change. Headed In LLC is not affiliated with NCSBN or any board of nursing.