A Registered Nurse (RN) license is required to practice nursing in the US. Licensing is regulated by each state's Board of Nursing through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
8 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Complete an approved nursing education program — Choose between an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN, 2-3 years) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, 4 years). BSN is increasingly preferred by em...
- Apply for NCLEX-RN eligibility — Apply to your state Board of Nursing for authorization to test. Submit your application, transcripts, and fees. The board verifies your education and issues an Auth...
- Register with Pearson VUE — Register at pearsonvue.com/nclex to schedule your NCLEX-RN exam. The exam fee is $200. Schedule at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam — The computerized adaptive test includes 75-265 questions covering safe care, health promotion, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. You have up to 6 hours. ...
- Complete background check — Most states require fingerprinting and criminal background checks. Some disqualifying offenses include felonies, certain misdemeanors, and fraud-related convictions.
- Meet state-specific requirements — Some states require proof of English proficiency, good moral character, and/or physical and mental health fitness. Check your state Board of Nursing for specific ...
- Receive your RN license — Once all requirements are verified, your state board issues your RN license. Verify your license is active at nursys.com.
- Renew your license — RN licenses typically renew every 2 years. Requirements include continuing education hours (varying by state), renewal fee, and updated background check in some states.
Common Mistakes
- Not applying to the correct state board
- Letting the ATT expire
- Insufficient NCLEX preparation
- Not understanding the Nurse Licensure Compact
- Failing to complete CE for renewal
Pro Tips
- The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) currently includes 40+ states
- Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for ADN-to-BSN bridge programs, al...
- Specialty certifications (critical care, emergency, pediatric, oncology) incr...
- NCLEX preparation courses like UWorld and Kaplan have high-quality question b...
- New graduate residency programs at hospitals provide structured mentorship du...