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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

     The Nursing Licensure Guide provides transparency, informs applicants of expected timelines for receiving their license, and outlines steps they can take to reduce mistakes and mitigate delays. To provide the greatest clarity on the licensing process from start to finish, we will break it down into three phases with estimated times for each stage of the process and recommendations for how to reduce processing times.

    Registered Nurse

    Licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in Pennsylvania may be obtained as a single state license or a multistate license.  A single state license only permits the nurse to practice in Pennsylvania, and it is not available if the nurse holds a multistate license in another Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state.  A multistate license allows the nurse to practice in all NLC states.  A nurse may only obtain one multistate license, and it is issued in the nurse’s principal state of residence.  A single state license may be obtained by examination or endorsement.

    A RN may:

    • perform health assessments;
    • diagnose* and treat patients' responses to health problems;
    • teach and counsel patients about their health;
    • execute medical regimens as prescribed by licensed physicians, dentists, certified registered nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, physician assistants, and podiatrists; and
    • contribute as members of interdisciplinary health care teams and health-related committees to plan and implement health care.

    *Nursing diagnosis differs from medical diagnosis in that it includes "identifying and discriminating between physical and psychosocial signs and symptoms essential to effective execution and management of the nursing regimen" only. RNs may not perform medical diagnosis.

     

    Initial Single State Registered Nurse License by Examination Phases and Timeframes

    To Obtain a single state RN license by examination for Pennsylvania graduates. Applicants must have completed a Board approved RN nursing program, passed the NCLEX-RN, and met the additional requirements for licensure.

    1. PLEASE NOTE – The Board cannot begin to process applications for RN single state licensure by examination for Pennsylvania graduates until it has received notice of program completion from the applicant’s  educational institution.

    2. All new applicants must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI background check for review as part of your application. You must pre-register for fingerprinting services through IdentoGO and use the service code provided during your application process to ensure the Board receives your results. IdentoGo accepts these types of identification documents.

      Applicants for a multistate license issued by the State Board of Nursing must obtain a criminal history record check from the state in which they reside and complete the process for a fingerprint-based FBI background check through IdentoGO.

      Licensees renewing their Pennsylvania or multistate licenses are NOT required to obtain a background check for renewal.

    3. Applicants are required to complete three hours of Board-approved continuing education (CE) on the topic of child abuse recognition and reporting. Learn more about Approved Child Abuse CE Providers. The education provider must send confirmation of an applicant’s course completion  directly to the Board. When registering for a course, applicants should indicate that  they are applying for Pennsylvania licensure to ensure their course-completion confirmation is sent to the Board.

    4. Register for the NCLEX exam with Pearson VUE and pay the required fee: http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex. This registration is required in order for the Board to send an Authorization to Test to Pearson Vue.

    Initial Single State Registered Nurse License by Endorsement Phases and Timeframes

    To obtain a single state RN license by endorsement, an applicant CAN NOT have a multistate license in another NLC state.  If an RN has a multistate license from another NLC state and their principal state of residence is NOT  Pennsylvania, they may practice in Pennsylvania under that license. If their principal state of residence is Pennsylvania, they must apply for a multistate license.  ADD LINK HERE.

    If an RN does not have a multistate license and does not live in Pennsylvania, they may apply for a single state license provided that  they have already obtained a single state RN license in another jurisdiction in a non-NLC state. An RN is eligible for licensure by endorsement if they graduated from an approved professional nursing education program in the United States or Canada, or a professional nursing program deemed to be equivalent to the program of study required in Pennsylvania at the time the program was completed, and they obtained licensure in another jurisdiction by passing the NCLEX-RN or another examination equivalent to the NCLEX-RN. If an applicant has not taken the NCLEX or an equivalent examination for licensure, they are required to take and pass the NCLEX-RN for licensure in Pennsylvania.

    1. All new applicants must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI background check for review as part of your application. You must pre-register for fingerprinting services through IdentoGO and use the service code provided during your application process to ensure the Board receives your results. IdentoGo accepts these types of identification documents.

      Applicants for a multistate license issued by the State Board of Nursing must obtain a criminal history record check from the state in which they reside and complete the process for a fingerprint-based FBI background check through IdentoGO.

      Licensees renewing their Pennsylvania or multistate licenses are NOT required to obtain a background check for renewal.

    2. Complete the required three hours of Board-approved CE on the topic of child abuse recognition and reporting. Learn more about Approved Child Abuse CE Providers. The education provider must send confirmation of an applicant’s course completion directly to the Board. When registering for a course, applicants should indicate that they are applying for Pennsylvania licensure to ensure their course-completion confirmation is sent to the Board.

    3. An applicant’s school must submit to the Board an official transcript identifying the RN education that qualified the applicant for their original RN license, the degree awarded, and the date the applicant completed the program. Applicants should request that their school send their transcripts directly to the Board.

    4. The Board must receive  verification of licensure from each state or jurisdiction where the applicant holds a license. A verification of licensure is an attestation from a licensing body detailing the type of license held, the method by which the license was obtained, the current status of the license, whether any discipline has been imposed, and the education and exam information, if applicable. Applicants should request that the verification of licensure documents be submitted directly to the Board. If the applicant’s state participates in NURSYS, the applicant should pay the fee at www.nursys.com to allow the Board to access their verification of licensure.

    Initial Multistate Registered Nurse License by Examination Phases and Timeframes

    In addition to having your principal place of residence in Pennsylvania, to be eligible for a multistate license, you must:

    1. Meet Pennsylvania’s licensure requirements.  See above about the education and examination requirements.
    2. Passed an English language proficiency (ELP) examination, if applicant graduated from an international education program not taught in English or if English is not applicant’s native language;
    3. Hold or be eligible for an active, unencumbered license;
    4. Submit a criminal background check from the state where you reside and a FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.  If Pennsylvania is your primary state of residence, submit a record check with Pennsylvania State Police. 
    5. Have not been convicted, including being found guilty or having entered into an agreed disposition (ARD), of any state or federal felony offense;
    6. Have not been convicted of a state or federal misdemeanor related to the practice of nursing
    7. Is not currently a participant in an Alternative to Discipline program in this or any state; and
    8. Have a valid United States Social Security number (not a TIN).

    1. PLEASE NOTE – The Board cannot begin to process an application for RN multistate licensure by examination for Pennsylvania graduates until it receives notice of program completion from the applicant’s educational institution.

    2. All new applicants must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI background check for review as part of your application. You must pre-register for fingerprinting services through IdentoGO and use the service code provided during your application process to ensure the Board receives your results. IdentoGo accepts these types of identification documents.

      Applicants for a multistate license issued by the State Board of Nursing must obtain a criminal history record check from the state in which they reside and complete the process for a fingerprint-based FBI background check through IdentoGO.

      Licensees renewing their Pennsylvania or multistate licenses are NOT required to obtain a background check for renewal.

    3. A volunteer record check will not be accepted for a criminal background check.

    4. Applicants are required to complete three hours of Board-approved CE on the topic of child abuse recognition and reporting. Learn more about Approved Child Abuse CE Providers. The education provider must send confirmation of the applicant’s course completion  directly to the Board. When registering for a course, applicants should   indicate that they are applying for Pennsylvania licensure to ensure their course-completion confirmation is sent to the Board.

    5. The applicant’s school must submit an official transcript to the Board identifying the applicant’s RN education that qualified them for their original RN license, the degree awarded, and the date the applicant completed the program. Applicants should request that their school send their transcript directly to the Board.

    Process Overview

    How to Apply for a Professional License in PA

    Professional licensing protects the health and safety of the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners. Fraudulent and unethical practitioners. We want the process of applying for a professional license in Pennsylvania to go as smoothly as possible..

    What Happens After You Submit Your Application

    Our goal is to make the professional licensing process as easy as possible while maintaining our standards to protect the public's health and safety.

    1. Sign in or create account at www.pals.pa.gov

    2. Select the board to apply and plain-language questions will appear to help you get started

    3. Application appears – review checklist, upload required documents, follow prompts

    4. Review all information and edit as needed

    5. Pay the required fee and your application is submitted

    6. Keep an eye on your email or get real-time updates at www.pals.pa.gov

    Helpful Links and Next Steps:

    Start the application process at PALS
    PALS Help Center
    Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
    Register with Pearson Vue
    Approved Child Abuse CE Providers

    Contact 

    State Board of Nursing
    Toll Free: 1-833-DOS-BPOA
    Email: ST-NURSE@pa.gov