A State-by-State Guide to RN Licensure Requirements

• Graduate from a nursing program that meets Alabama standards
• Provide a Social Security number
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident

Note: The program must parallel Alabama’s clinical and curriculum requirements.

• Submit official transcripts with conferral date
• Complete Nursing Program Verification form
• Undergo fingerprint-based background check
• Provide a Social Security number

Note: The program must hold national nursing accreditation.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Submit fingerprints
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Out-of-state graduates must submit transcripts showing date of graduation and degree awarded.

• Graduate from a board-approved nursing program
• Undergo a criminal background check

Note: Certain criminal offenses may disqualify applicants.

• Complete an approved nursing program meeting California curriculum requirements
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Out-of-state graduates may need additional coursework if California-specific requirements are lacking.

• Graduate from a traditional program accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency
• Submit official transcripts
• Meet state law requirements

Note: The out-of-state program must be approved by its own state board.

• Complete a program meeting Connecticut curriculum standards
• Submit official transcript verifying degree or diploma

Note: Out-of-state programs must be approved in their home jurisdiction and meet substantially similar curriculum requirements.

• Graduate from a board-approved program with at least 400 clinical hours
• Submit a criminal background check
• Provide an official transcript

Note: A driver’s license or Bureau of Motor Vehicles ID is often required for verification.

• Graduate from a program approved or recognized by the board (ACEN- or CCNE-accredited, or board-approved in another jurisdiction)
• Undergo electronic fingerprinting (Livescan)

Note: Must have an NCLEX code issued by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

• Graduate from a board-approved program

Note: Out-of-state graduates apply using a paper application.

• Graduate from a state-approved or nationally accredited program
• Submit an official final transcript
• Complete a background check

Note: Transcripts or letters of completion must come directly from the nursing program.

• Complete a board-approved program
• Provide official transcripts or an Affidavit of Graduation
• Undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check

Note: The program must be substantially equivalent to Idaho’s.

• Proof of graduation from an approved program
• Fingerprint processing
• Provide a transcript or ED-NUR form

Note: Fingerprints must be taken within 60 days prior to application.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Submit a Certificate of Completion directly from the nursing school

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Complete an online application
• Out-of-state graduates must request paper documentation

Note: Official transcripts must be sent directly from the nursing school.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Have at least 30 credit hours of nursing courses

Note: Curriculum must include direct clinical experience across the lifespan.

• Complete a state-approved nursing program
• Pass NCLEX
• Take a jurisprudence exam

Note: Out-of-state graduates must send official transcripts to the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

• Demonstrate good moral character
• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Complete required coursework
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Out-of-state programs must meet Louisiana’s Administrative Code criteria.

• Graduate from a board-approved nursing program equivalent to Maine’s standards
• Complete at least two years in an approved program
• Undergo a fingerprint background check

Note: State requires national accreditation for in-state programs and an official final transcript.

• Graduate from a board-approved or substantially equivalent program
• Undergo a criminal history check
• Demonstrate good moral character

Note: Out-of-state programs must be deemed substantially equivalent to Maryland requirements.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Demonstrate good moral character

Note: Out-of-state graduates must submit transcripts indicating required clinical components (Med-Surg, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Mental Health).

• Have final official transcripts sent directly from the nursing program
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Complete human trafficking and implicit bias training before licensure.

• Provide confirmation of graduation or official transcript
• Pass NCLEX

Note: The program must be approved in its home state or meet Minnesota’s educational criteria.

• Graduate from a nursing program meeting Mississippi’s criteria
• Submit official transcripts
• Pass a criminal background check

Note: In-state residents must attend fingerprinting at the Board, and out-of-state residents must call for instructions.

• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence
• Submit an official final transcript
• Undergo criminal background checks

Note: Transcript must indicate the degree awarded and date of completion.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Have official transcripts sent directly to the Board
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Must complete all required documentation.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Demonstrate good moral character
• Provide an official transcript

Note: Completion of four years of high school or its equivalent is required, though completion of an RN program is considered sufficient equivalency.

• Graduate from a nationally accredited nursing program
• Supply transcripts indicating a nursing degree
• Provide a fingerprint card

Note: Must pass NCLEX.

• Graduate from a board-approved program meeting curricular hour requirements (at least 1,080 hours of instruction and clinical practice)
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Must follow all administrative criteria.

• Complete all requirements for graduation from a nursing program accredited by the Board or approved in another state
• Provide certification of degree completion directly from the school registrar

• Graduate from a Board-approved or nationally accredited program
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Out-of-state programs must be recognized by their local Board.

• Complete an NYSED-approved program or one approved in another jurisdiction
• Finish child abuse and infection control coursework
• Submit Certification of Professional Education (Form 2) from the nursing school

Note: Must pass NCLEX.

• Graduate from an approved program designed to prepare for RN licensure
• Pass NCLEX

Note: The program must be approved by an NCSBN-member Board or meet North Carolina’s curriculum standards.

• Must have a U.S. Social Security number
• Complete a board-approved program
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Out-of-state programs must include supervised clinical experience across the lifespan.

• Graduate from a nursing program approved by an NCSBN-member Board
• Provide an official transcript
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Must meet Ohio Board of Nursing standards.

• Graduate from a state Board-approved registered nursing program
• Provide an official transcript directly from the school
• Pass NCLEX

• Out-of-state program must be approved through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) or accredited
• Pass NCLEX
• Complete any additional Oregon requirements (e.g., cultural competency)

Note: Requires at least 500 hours of direct client care.

• Complete an approved professional nursing program
• Pass NCLEX
• Complete a 3-hour child abuse recognition and reporting course

Note: Official transcript showing completion date must be sent to the Board.

• Complete a Board-approved program and hold a diploma or degree

Note: Out-of-state programs must be equivalent to Rhode Island’s criteria.

• Graduate from an approved school of nursing
• Have a valid Social Security number or permanent resident card
• Pass a criminal background check
• Pass NCLEX

• Complete a board-approved program that qualifies you to sit for NCLEX

Note: Out-of-state programs must meet “substantially the same” requirements as South Dakota’s.

• Complete an approved nursing program
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Out-of-state programs must have substantially the same course of study as Tennessee’s.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Pass NCLEX
• Submit fingerprints
• Complete the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam

Note: Must include theory and supervised clinical experiences in major nursing areas.

• Complete a nursing program accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency
• Pass NCLEX
• Undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• National accreditation may be required
• Have official transcripts sent directly

Note: Must pass NCLEX.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Must have at least 500 hours of direct clinical client care
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Out-of-state transcripts must show breakdown of clinical hours.

• Complete a program approved by another U.S. nursing board with substantially equivalent academic preparation
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Typically requires at least 600 hours of clinical experience in BSN programs.

• Graduate from a board-approved or nationally accredited program
• Undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check
• Pass NCLEX

Note: Must be of good moral character as determined by the Board.

• Graduate from high school (or equivalent) and a board-approved or comparable nursing program
• Be free of arrest/conviction records that may disqualify

Note: Out-of-state programs must be approved by their home-state board and accredited by a recognized agency.

• Graduate from a board-approved program
• Pass NCLEX
• Meet good moral character requirements

Note: School accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency generally fulfills board approval.