How To Keep Your Nursing License Active When Not Working

Every year, nurses step away from the bedside for all kinds of legitimate reasons — parental leave, a medical situation, caregiver responsibilities, or simply a much-needed pause after years of demanding work.

What often gets overlooked during that time is license maintenance. A lapsed or inactive license can turn a planned six-month break into a months-long administrative headache before you’re cleared to work again.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to keep your nursing license active when you’re not working: what the requirements are, what inactivity consequences look like, and how to set yourself up for a smooth return.

How Long Does a Nursing License Stay Active?

Nursing licenses don’t last forever — and each license type has its own renewal timeline. Understanding your specific expiration date is the first step to staying compliant during a break.

CNA Certification — how long is it valid? +

CNA certification is typically valid for two years in most states. Renewal requires completing continuing education (CE) hours — usually 12 to 24 — plus a renewal application and fee.

CE requirements don’t disappear during a break. Completing those hours online is straightforward and keeps your certification current without needing to be actively employed.

LPN License — how long is it valid? +

LPN licenses are generally valid for two years. Renewal involves meeting your state’s CE requirements and practice hour minimums, plus a renewal fee.

Watch out: Some states have different rules for LPN licenses vs. LPN certifications — their expiration dates may not align. Check both carefully.

RN License — how long is it valid? +

RN licenses are typically issued for two-year periods. CE minimums vary considerably by state:

State	CE Hours Required	Cycle
California	30 hours	2 years
Massachusetts	15 hours	2 years
North Carolina	15 hours + 640 practice hrs	2 years
Nevada	30 hours	2 years
Washington State	8 hours (incl. 2 health equity)	2 years

State-specific guide: For a full breakdown by state, Wanderly’s RN State License Guide is a useful starting point.

NP / APRN License — how long is it valid? +

NP and APRN licenses follow two-year renewal cycles in most states, but CE requirements are significantly higher than for RNs.

In Illinois, for example, APRNs must complete 80 hours of CE per renewal period, compared to 20 for RNs.

Two-layer requirement: NP certifications through national credentialing bodies carry their own renewal requirements separate from your state license. Both must stay current.

Travel Nurses & the Compact License +

If you hold a compact license under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), your renewal requirements are tied to your home state — where you claim primary residence.

As of 2025, 43 jurisdictions are part of the NLC, meaning one multistate license covers practice across all of them. Taking a break doesn’t pause that clock.

Learn more: See our guide on how to become a travel nurse for more on how the compact works with travel assignments.

What Does an Inactive Nursing License Actually Mean?

Inactive vs. Lapsed vs. Expired — What’s the Difference?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things depending on your state board:

What Happens If Your License Lapses?

A lapsed license means you cannot practice nursing until it’s reinstated — and reinstatement isn’t always quick. Most state boards require:

• Completing outstanding CE hours
• Submitting documentation
• Paying a reinstatement fee (higher than standard renewal)
• In some cases, undergoing additional review or background check

How to Meet Continuing Education Requirements While Not Working

What Counts as an Approved CE Course?

Most boards accept CE courses related to clinical practice, pharmacology, patient safety, health equity, and nursing specialties. Note that employer in-services typically do not count — only accredited, board-recognized courses qualify.

How Many CE Hours Do You Need?

State	License Type	CE Hours	Notes
California	RN	30 hrs	Every 2 years
Massachusetts	RN	15 hrs	Per 2-year cycle
North Carolina	RN	15 hrs	+ 640 practice hours
Nevada	RN / LPN	30 hrs	Per cycle
Washington State	RN / LPN	8 hrs	Incl. 2 hrs health equity

Online CE Options for Nurses on Leave

Most state boards accept online CE. Look for providers approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or specifically recognized by your state board.

How Do You Reactivate an Inactive Nursing License?

Steps to Reinstate Your License

1	Verify your license status Check your state board’s online portal or use Nursys, the national license verification system.
2	Complete outstanding CE hours Finish any CE hours required by your state for the current renewal period.
3	Submit your reinstatement application File with your state board along with any required documentation.
4	Pay the reinstatement fee Typically higher than a standard renewal fee.
5	Wait for processing A few days to several weeks depending on your state. Some states also require fingerprinting or a background check if significant time has passed.

How Long Does Reactivation Take?

Processing times vary by state board. Some states process reinstatements within a week; others take four to eight weeks or longer during busy renewal periods.

The Nurse Licensure Compact and Time Off

Does the Compact License Stay Active During a Break?

Yes — your compact license stays active as long as you continue meeting your home state’s renewal requirements including CE hours and any applicable practice hour minimums. The NLC has no separate renewal process.

Moving States While on Leave

If you move to a new compact state while on leave, you’ll need to apply for a license in your new home state within 60 days. Your previous state license will be deactivated once the new one is issued.

If you’re moving to a non-compact state (like California or New York), you’ll need to apply for a single-state license there. Factor this into your timeline, especially if you plan to return to travel nursing.

What to Do When You’re Ready to Return

Keeping your license active during a break is the single most important thing you can do to protect your career. These additional steps make the transition back smoother: