Registered Nursing Licensure

If you want to become a registered nurse, it’s important that you understand what a RN license is and how to get one. This will help ensure that your career as a nurse begins on the right foot.

What is a Registered Nurse’s license?

A license is a document issued by a state that allows a person to practice a profession. Before 2010, nurses were required to obtain their licenses from the state in which they worked. However, as of 2010 all states require RNs (and LPNs) to obtain licensure through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

The NCSBN is responsible for maintaining standards for all registered nurses and licenses issued by its member boards. The NCSBN also provides online tools such as an online database where you can check if your license is valid and active at any time.

In addition to validating the status of your current license, the NCSBN database will tell you if there are any actions pending against your license or if it has been suspended or revoked due to violations committed while working as an RN or LPN.

How can I get a Registered Nurse’s license?

• You must pass the NCLEX-RN. The NCLEX-RN is a computerized test that assesses your knowledge base and basic skills. It contains at least 80 questions, and you have to answer 75 of them correctly in order to pass.
• You must pass the NCE (National Council Licensure Examination). The NCE is an examination that tests your understanding of nursing theory and application, including critical thinking skills. You need to score 500 or higher on this exam in order to earn your license as a registered nurse in California.*
• You must pass the Jurisprudence exam (one-time fee). This test will assess how well you understand legal issues related to nursing practice, such as patient rights and responsibilities under HIPAA privacy regulations.*

Does my nursing license qualify for state reciprocity?

The answer to this question depends on the state where you are seeking employment. Each state’s nursing board determines which licenses it will honor from other states and countries. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) maintains a database of all participating licensing boards for each state, as well as their respective policies about accepting out-of-state licensure.

It is important to note that not all states participate in the NCSBN program; some allow any nurse with an active license from another jurisdiction to work without obtaining an additional permit or license. For these non-participating states, it can be hard to determine whether your current license will be accepted until after submitting an application and receiving approval for employment

What about employers outside of the US?

If you’re thinking about applying for a job in a country other than the US, it’s important to know whether or not your nursing license is recognized there. You can find out by contacting the applicable regulatory agency and asking which licenses they recognize. If you’re not sure where to start, go to the Council of International Boards website, a nonprofit organization that helps connect international healthcare professionals with American board certification programs.

If your nursing license is not recognized in another country or state of the United States, you’ll need to take additional steps if you want to practice there—and those steps may be more difficult than simply paying for tests and completing an application process. For example:

• Some countries require foreign nurses to undergo additional training before practicing as RNs; others require U.S.-trained nurses who want work there as RNs (or any other health care professional) to apply through their national system instead of using credentials from another country or state within the United States.
• Nursing licenses aren’t transferable across borders because each jurisdiction has its own set of standards—these include requirements such as specific coursework completed at an accredited institution and passing exams—that must be met before anyone can receive licensure in their jurisdiction.”

Can someone become a RN without taking the NCLEX?

Though it is true that most states require a passing score on the NCLEX to practice as a registered nurse, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some states use the RN license itself as a substitute for the NCLEX; others do not require any licensing at all. In these cases, you do not need to take the exam unless you move or plan on practicing in other states.

The majority of state licensure boards will allow you to take their nursing exam after being licensed in another state if certain conditions are met:

• Your last license must have been received within three years of applying for licensure in your new home state.
• You must pass an evaluation based on your current knowledge and skills before taking the exam with your new board (you may be required to complete additional training).

How much does it cost to apply to become a Registered Nurse?

The application fee for both the NCLEX-RN and RN licensure application is $200. The cost of applying for your license varies by state, but typically it will be between $100 and $300; this includes the application and exam fees, fingerprinting, background check fees, etc. (which we’ll talk more about later). Some states also require an additional fee to become licensed as an RN if you’re coming from out of state.

You’ll also have to pay for a criminal background check once you’ve applied online or in person at your local board office. This will cost around $100 per national database search (which includes fingerprinting costs), though some states charge more than others depending on their own databases’ pricing structure (e.g., whether they have their own separate database).

If you want to get licensed as an RN in multiple states using interstate compact reciprocity agreements like Nursys or Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), each state where you’re applying will charge another fee ranging from $75-$150 per license requested!

A registered nurse’s license is necessary to practice nursing in the United States.

A registered nurse’s license is necessary to practice nursing in the United States. The license is issued by the state in which you practice and is valid for a certain period of time, usually 2-3 years. You must renew it before it expires otherwise you will no longer be able to practice nursing as a registered nurse.

In order to obtain your license from Texas, you must first take an exam called the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination). Your score on this exam determines whether or not you will be allowed to apply for licensure as a RN in Texas. Once you have been granted permission by the state board of nursing education & workforce development – BRNED, which oversees all things related to licensing & education within its jurisdiction (Texas), then they will send out their application forms so that they can receive copies​

To sum up, becoming a Registered Nurse requires a great deal of time, effort and money. However, it can be done by anyone who has the passion and dedication required to pursue this career. If you are interested in becoming a RN, be sure to check out our article on how much does it cost to apply for RN certification?