Registered Nurses
Special Requirements
Education:
Complete one of three types of training programs:
- A 2-year associate’s degree (AND) program offered by a community college
- A 3-year hospital-based diploma, or
- A 4-year bachelor’s degree (BSN) program at a college or university.
Exam:
Must pass a written exam as required by the Board of Nursing. In order to apply to take the exam, an applicant must:
1. File the required application, any necessary documentation and fee no later than 60 days prior to the first day of the month in which the applicant expects to take the examination.
2. Arrange for the board to receive an official transcript from the nursing education program which shows either:
a. That the degree or diploma has been awarded, or
b. That all requirements for awarding the degree or diploma have been met and specifies the date of conferral.
3. File a new application and reapplication fee if:
a. The examination is not taken within six months of the date that the Board determines the applicant to be eligible; or
b. Eligibility is not established within six months of the original filing date.
4. The minimum passing standard on the examination for registered nurse licensure and practical nurse licensure shall be determined by the board.
Licensure by examination:
A. The board shall authorize the administration of examinations for registered nurse licensure and examinations for practical nurse licensure.
B. A candidate shall be eligible to take the examination (i) upon receipt by the board of the completed application, fee and an official transcript from the nursing education program; and (ii) when a determination has been made that no grounds exist upon which the board may deny licensure pursuant to the Code of Virginia.
C. To establish eligibility for licensure by examination, an applicant for the licensing examination shall:
1. File the required application, any necessary documentation and fee.
2. Arrange for the board to receive an official transcript from the nursing education program which shows either:
a. That the degree or diploma has been awarded and the date of graduation or conferral; or
b. That all requirements for awarding the degree or diploma have been met and specifies the date of conferral.
3. File a new application and reapplication fee if:
a. The examination is not taken within six months of the date that the board determines the applicant to be eligible; or
b. Eligibility is not established within six months of the original filing date.
D. The minimum passing standard on the examination for registered nurse licensure and practical nurse licensure shall be determined by the board.
E. Any applicant suspected of giving or receiving unauthorized assistance during the examination may be noticed for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) to determine eligibility for licensure or reexamination.
F. Practice of nursing pending receipt of examination results.
1. A graduate who has filed a completed application for licensure in Virginia and has received an authorization letter issued by the board may practice nursing in Virginia from the date of the authorization letter. The period of practice shall not exceed 90 days between the date of successful completion of the nursing education program, as documented on the applicant's transcript, and the publication of the results of the candidate's first licensing examination.
2. Candidates who practice nursing as provided in subdivision 1 of this subsection shall use the designation "R.N. Applicant" or "L.P.N. Applicant" on a nametag or when signing official records.
3. The designations "R.N. Applicant" and "L.P.N. Applicant" shall not be used by applicants who either do not take the examination within 90 days following receipt of the authorization letter from the board or who have failed the examination.
G. Applicants who fail the examination.
1. An applicant who fails the licensing examination shall not be licensed or be authorized to practice nursing in Virginia.
2. An applicant for licensure by reexamination shall file the required application and reapplication fee no later than 60 days prior to the first day of the month in which the applicant expects to take the examination in order to establish eligibility.
3. Applicants who have failed the examination for licensure in another U.S. jurisdiction but satisfy the qualifications for licensure in this jurisdiction may apply for licensure by examination in Virginia. Such applicants shall submit the required application and fee. Such applicants shall not, however, be permitted to practice nursing in Virginia until the requisite license has been issued.
Licensure by endorsement:
A. A graduate of an approved nursing education program who has been licensed by examination in another U.S. jurisdiction and whose license is in good standing, or is eligible for reinstatement, if lapsed, shall be eligible for licensure by endorsement in Virginia, provided the applicant satisfies the same requirements for registered nurse or practical nurse licensure as those seeking initial licensure in Virginia.
1. A graduate of a nursing school in Canada where English was the primary language shall be eligible for licensure by endorsement provided the applicant has passed the Canadian Registered Nurses Examination (CRNE) and holds an unrestricted license in Canada.
2. An applicant for licensure by endorsement who has not passed NCLEX may only be issued a single state license to practice in Virginia.
B. An applicant for licensure by endorsement who has submitted the required application and fee and submitted the required form to the appropriate credentialing agency for verification of licensure may practice for 30 days upon receipt of an authorization letter from the board. If an applicant has not received a Virginia license within 30 days and wishes to continue practice, he shall seek an extension of authorization to practice by submitting a request and evidence that he has requested verification of licensure.
C. If the application is not completed within one year of the initial filing date, the applicant shall submit a new application and fee.
Required Fees:
1. Application for licensure by examination-$130
2. Application for licensure by endorsement-$130
3. Reapplication for licensure by examination-$25
4. Biennial licensure renewal-$95
5. Late renewal-$35
6. Reinstatement of lapsed license-$145
7. Reinstatement of suspended or revoked license-$185
8. Duplicate license-$5
9. Replacement wall certificate-$15
10. Verification of license-$25
11. Transcript of all or part of applicant/licensee records-$25
12. Returned check charge-$25
13. Application for CNS registration-$95
14. Biennial renewal of CNS registration -$60
15. Reinstatement of lapsed CNS registration-$105
16. Verification of CNS registration to another jurisdiction-$25
17. Late renewal of CNS registration-$20
18. Inactive licensure renewal-$50
19. Late renewal of an inactive license-$15
For More Information, Contact:
American Nurses Credentialing Center
600 Maryland Ave SW,
Suite 100 West
Washington, DC 20024
http://www.nursecredentialing.org/
Virginia Department Of Health Professions
Board Of Nursing
6603 West Broad St., 5th Floor
Richmond, VA 23230-1712
Phone: 804.662.9909
TTY: 804.662.7197
Fax: 804.662.9512
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/
[email protected]
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
P.O. Box 40473
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 202.966.6414
Fax: 202.966.2856
http://www.aanp.org
[email protected]
Virginia Nurses' Association
7113 Three Chopt Road, Suite 204
Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: 804.282.1808
Phone: 800.868.6877
http://www.virginianurses.com/
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)