Nebraska Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Nebraska’s vast fields and friendly communities embody the American Midwest. The Cornhusker State is known for its Great Plains and great steaks. It’s also home to nearly 2 million people who need nurses to help keep them healthy.

If you’re a nurse in Nebraska, you’ll need to keep your license up to date to keep practicing. Compact licensees in Nebraska will renew in their home state. Check out our Nebraska nursing facts, and the step-by-step process for your Nebraska nursing license renewal.

Nebraska Nursing Facts

Is Nebraska part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes, a compact nursing license is valid in Nebraska.

How much do nurses in Nebraska earn?

• The average CNA salary in Nebraska is $38,470 per year.
• The average LPN salary in Nebraska is $56,120 per year.
• The average RN salary in Nebraska is $79,780 per year.
• The average APRN salary in Nebraska is $121,680 per year.

How can I contact the Nebraska Board of Nursing?

Email the Department of Health and Human Services nursing office at DHHS.NursingOffice@nebraska.gov

Nebraska Board of Nursing Phone Number: 402-471-4376

Website: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Nurse-Licensing.aspx

Nebraska Board of Nursing Physical Address:
Nebraska State Office Building
301 Centennial Mall South, 3rd floor
14th & M Streets
Lincoln, NE 68508

Nebraska Board of Nursing Mailing Address:
Licensure Unit
Attn: Nursing
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-5026

Nebraska Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Follow the steps below to renew your LPN, RN, or APRN license in Nebraska. If you are an out-of-state nurse, you’ll need to submit an application for an RN or LPN license by endorsement in Nebraska.

CNAs in Nebraska don’t go through a renewal process. Instead, your CNA registry status will remain active as long as you have worked in a CNA role in the past two years.

Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Deadline

Nursing license renewals are every two years in Nebraska. You can start your renewal submission once the renewal period opens. If you’re not sure when your renewal period is, go to the DHHS license renewal page and log in to your account. You can also view the expiration dates below that correspond with your credentials:

• LPN: October 31 of odd-numbered years.
• RN: October 31 of even-numbered years.
• APRN: October 31 of even-numbered years. You’ll also need to maintain national certification to continue practicing and maintain a current RN license.

Once your renewal opens, it’s best to file as soon as possible. If you miss your renewal deadline, you cannot practice until it is reinstated, and practicing with an expired license may cause you to owe a fee up to $1,000 per day.

Step 2: Complete Your Continuing Education Requirements

Nebraska has the same continuing education requirements for LPNs and RNs. In order to renew, you’ll need to meet one of the requirements or waivers below:

• Completed 500 hours of nursing practice during the past 5 years, as well as 20 contact hours via home study or online courses.
• Graduated from a nursing program between 2 and 5 years ago, as well as 20 contact hours via home study or online courses.
• Graduated from a nursing program in the past 2 years.
• Completed an online refresher course in the past 5 years.
• Obtained/maintained national certification in a nursing specialty.
• Developed and maintained a portfolio including current continuing competency goals and evidence of professional activities to meet those goals.

If you’re continuing your nursing education in Nebraska, you can use one semester hour as an equivalent to 15 contact hours. Nebraska offers continuing education waivers for specific circumstances:

• If you received your RN or LPN license in the past 2 years
• If you’ve practiced at least 500 hours of nursing in the past 5 years, and you moved to a military assignment, lived outside the U.S., or served as a missionary in a foreign country where continuing education was unavailable
• If you’ve served full-time military duty for more than 30 consecutive days in the past 2 years. In this case, your fees will also be waived. You must submit copies of your active service papers to qualify.

Once you’ve completed your continuing competency requirements or waived them, you’re ready to renew your nursing license in Nebraska. If you’re looking for continuing education hours, you can take courses made by industry leaders at IntelyEdu. Our ANCC-accredited courses and certification programs are designed to advance your knowledge and skill set.

Step 3: File Your Nebraska Nursing License Renewal Online

Renew your nursing license online through the Nebraska DHHS website. Log in to your account, fill out your renewal forms, and pay your fee to renew. The license renewal fees are as follows:

• LPN: $123
• RN: $123
• APRN: $68 (in addition to RN fees)

Once you file your renewal, it can take up to a week for it to be processed. Check back with your account to track its progress on the Department of Health and Human Services license search page. Nebraska no longer issues wallet-card licenses, but if you want to print a wallet-sized card, you can look up your license and print one after your renewal is approved.

Great Areas in Nebraska for Nursing Jobs

Looking for CNA, LPN, RN, APRN opportunities in Nebraska? Check out these areas for nursing jobs:

• Omaha
• Lincoln
• Grand Island
• Elkhorn
• Kearney

Search Nebraska Nursing Jobs

Now that you’ve finished your Nebraska nursing license renewal, why not check out career advancement opportunities in your area? IntelyCare has nursing jobs across Nebraska that could be a great fit for you.