Application Wizard - Registered Nurse

You may qualify for Licensure as a Registered Nurse by Exam.

If you are a graduate from an RN state approved nursing education program that prepared you to be a nurse and need to take the NCLEX (state board), you will need to complete the application for licensure by examination.

What you need in order to apply:

• RN/LPN licensure applicants are required to have a fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC). More information is in the Application Instructions.
• Review the Laws and Regulations governing the practice of Nursing.
• Read the Application Instructions carefully before proceeding with an application
• NCLEX testing information and registration with Pearson Vue is found on the Pearson VUE website. Note: You must register with Pearson Vue immediately after submitting a licensure by Examination application with the Board so you can avoid delays in receiving your Authorization to Test (ATT) issued by Pearson Vue.

Applications for licensure as a Registered Nurse by Examination are now exclusively accepted online. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin the online application process.

If you have graduated from a state-approved nursing education program and have been licensed by examination in another state within the U.S., you may qualify for licensure by endorsement.

Note: Virginia participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which allows nurses living in compact states to practice in all other compact states with a single multi-state license. You can view an Implementation Map to determine if your state participates in the compact. If your primary state of residence is a compact state, you must apply for licensure in that state.

What you need in order to apply

• Please review the Laws and Regulations governing the practice of Nursing in Virginia.
• You will need to complete a Criminal Background Check (instructions in the online application)
• You will need to request license verification from original state of licensure (state where you took the NCLEX) (*detailed instructions in the online application)
• You will need to submit a credential evaluation. For more information, click on these regulations: 18 VAC 90-19-120 and 18 VAC 90-19-130.
• For endorsement applicants only: the Board accepts a CGFNS CES report, ICHP Visa Screen or CGFNS Certificate and a Josef Silny & Associates professional credential evaluation report or VISA4Nurses.
• You will need to provide proof of your primary state of residence.
• If you do not currently have a Social Security Number, you must contact the Board at (804) 367-4515 or nursebd@dhp.virginia.gov for instructions to apply online for Licensure by Endorsement. If you email the Board, include in the subject line: Application Process – W/O SSN. You may be eligible for a temporary license that will be valid only for 90 days while you obtain your SSN and you must have a valid SSN to receive a permanent license.
• Please read the Application Instructions carefully before proceeding with an application.

Applications for licensure as a Registered Nurse by Endorsement are exclusively accepted online. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin the online application process.

If you have graduated from a state-approved nursing education program, you may qualify for Licensure as a Registered Nurse by Exam.

Please visit the Pearson Vue website for more information about taking the NCLEX exam in another state, or scheduling an exam date.

What You'll Need in Order to Apply

• Please review the Laws and Regulations governing the practice of Nursing in Virginia.
• RN/LPN licensure applicants are required to have a fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC). More information is in the Application Instructions.
• You will need to request license verification from original state of licensure (state where you took the NCLEX) (detailed instructions in the online application)
• Please read the Application Instructions carefully before proceeding with an application.

Applications for licensure as a Registered Nurse by Examination are now exclusively accepted online. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin the online application process.

Please contact the Board at (804) 367-4515 for further assistance regarding required documents.

If you...

1. Have an unrestricted (nursing) license in Canada
2. Completed nursing education in Canada where English was the primary language AND
3. Passed the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) or the NCLEX.

You may qualify for Licensure by Endorsement.

What You'll Need in Order to Apply:

• Please review the Laws and Regulations governing the practice of Nursing in Virginia.
• You will need to complete a Criminal Background Check (instructions in the online application)
• Proof of your primary state of residence
• You will need to submit license verification from your original province/territory of licensure (detailed instructions in the online application).
• Please read the Application Instructions carefully before proceeding with an application.

Applications for licensure as a Registered Nurse by Endorsement are exclusively accepted online. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin the online application process.

You have indicated that you are interested in Reinstatement of your Nursing license.

This application is a PDF form that will need to be printed, filled out and sent to:

Virginia Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, Virginia 23233-1463

What you need in order to apply:

• Review the Laws and Regulations regarding the practice of Nursing in Virginia.
• If your license was revoked, you must wait to reapply until three years after the revocation order entry date.
• Applicants are required to have a Criminal Background Check (CBC). For more information, see the Checklist Instructions.
• You will need to provide evidence of completing the Continuing Education requirements specified in 18 VAC 90-19-160 during the two (2) years immediately preceding application for reinstatement.
• The Virginia Board of Nursing may request additional evidence that the nurse is prepared to resume practice in a safe, competent manner.

Reinstatement Applications for Registered and Practical Nurses (RN/LPN)

• RN-LPN Reinstatement Application (Lapsed or Expired) 
• RN-LPN Reinstatement After Discipline Application (Suspension or Revocation)
• Declaration of Primary State of Residence Form

You have indicated that you are interested in Registered Nurse Licensure by Repeat Examination

This application is a paper form that will need to be filled out and sent to:

Virginia Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, Virginia 23233-1463

What you need in order to apply:

• You will need to register to take the NCLEX again - please visit the Pearson VUE website for more information and for registration.
• Please review the Laws and Regulations governing the practice of Nursing.
• Applicants need to complete a Criminal Background Check (more information in the Application Instructions)
• If your name on the repeat application is different from the name on your original application, you will need to provide documentation of your name change (more information in the Application Instructions).
• Please read the Application Instructions carefully before proceeding with the application.

If your nursing education was completed in another country and you have been licensed by examination in another state within the U.S., you may qualify for Licensure by Endorsement.

Note: Virginia participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which allows nurses living in compact states to practice in all other compact states with a single multi-state license. You can view an Implementation Map to determine if your state participates in the compact. If your primary state of residence is a compact state, you must apply for licensure in that state.

What you need in order to apply

• Please review the Laws and Regulations governing the practice of Nursing in Virginia.
• You will need to complete a Criminal Background Check (instructions in the online application)
• You will need to request license verification from original state of licensure (state where you took the NCLEX) (*detailed instructions in the online application)
• You will need to submit a credential evaluation. For more information, click on these regulations: 18 VAC 90-19-120 and 18 VAC 90-19-130.
• For endorsement applicants only: the Board accepts a CGFNS CES report, ICHP Visa Screen or CGFNS Certificate and a Josef Silny & Associates professional credential evaluation report or VISA4Nurses.
• You will need to provide proof of your primary state of residence.
• If you do not currently have a Social Security Number, you must contact the Board at (804) 367-4515 or nursebd@dhp.virginia.gov for instructions to apply online for Licensure by Endorsement. If you email the Board, include in the subject line: Application Process – W/O SSN. You may be eligible for a temporary license that will be valid only for 90 days while you obtain your SSN and you must have a valid SSN to receive a permanent license.
• Please read the Application Instructions carefully before proceeding with an application.

Applications for licensure as a Registered Nurse by Endorsement are exclusively accepted online. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin the online application process.

If your nursing education was completed in another country and you have never been licensed by examination in another state within the U.S., you may qualify for Licensure by Exam.

Note: Virginia participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which allows nurses living in compact states to practice in all other compact states with a single multi-state license. You can view an Implementation Map to determine if your state participates in the compact. If your primary state of residence is a compact state, you must apply for licensure in that state.

What you need in order to apply:

• Please review the Laws and Regulations governing the practice of Nursing in Virginia.
• You will need to complete a Criminal Background Check (instructions in the online application)
• You will need to submit a credential evaluation. For more information, click on these regulations: 18 VAC 90-19-120 and 18 VAC 90-19-130.
• The Board accepts a CGFNS CES report or CGFNS Certificate and a Josef Silny & Associates professional credential evaluation report.
• You will need to provide proof of your primary state of residence.
• If you do not currently have a Social Security Number, you must contact the Board at (804) 367-4515 or nursebd@dhp.virginia.gov for instructions to apply online for Licensure by Examination. If you email the Board, include in the subject line: Application Process – W/O SSN. You may be eligible for a temporary license that will be valid only for 90 days while you obtain your SSN and you must have a valid SSN to receive a permanent license.
• Please read the Application Instructions carefully before proceeding with an application.

Applications for licensure as a Registered Nurse by Exam are exclusively accepted online. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin the online application process.

Click here to go to information about Restricted Volunteer Licenses.