{"id":249,"date":"2021-08-26T15:53:49","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T15:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/chapter\/11-3-obtaining-your-nursing-license\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T18:43:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T18:43:03","slug":"11-3-obtaining-your-nursing-license","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/chapter\/11-3-obtaining-your-nursing-license\/","title":{"raw":"11.3 Obtaining Your Nursing License","rendered":"11.3 Obtaining Your Nursing License"},"content":{"raw":"<strong>[pb_glossary id=\"435\"]Licensure[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> is the process by which a State Board of Nursing (SBON) grants permission to an individual to engage in nursing practice after verifying the applicant has attained the competency necessary to perform the scope of practice of a registered nurse (RN).<sup>[footnote]NCSBN. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup> The SBON verifies these three components:\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verification of graduation from an approved prelicensure RN nursing education program<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verification of successful completion of NCLEX-RN examination<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">A criminal background check (in some states)<sup>[footnote]NCSBN. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIn the United States there are three common types of prelicensure educational programs that prepare a student to become an RN, including a two-year associate degree of nursing (ADN), a hospital-based diploma program, or a four-year baccalaureate degree (BSN). Some universities offer an \"Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing Track\" for non-nurses holding a baccalaureate or master's degree in another field who wish to become a nurse. All graduates must pass the same NCLEX-RN to obtain their RN license from their SBON (or other nursing regulatory body).\n\nRequirements for licensure renewal vary from state to state. Some states require continued education credits (CEUs), along with the payment of fees. In Wisconsin the nursing license is renewed every two years. See Figure 11.2<sup>[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nursingpins\/3277658479\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o.jpg<\/a>\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nursingpins\/3290095902\/in\/photostream\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vernon Dutton<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup> for an image of a simulated nursing license.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"562\"]<img class=\"wp-image-248 \" title=\"\u201c3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o.jpg\u201d by Vernon Dutton is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accphysicalgeology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2021\/08\/3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of a Simulated Nursing License\" width=\"562\" height=\"439\"> Figure 11.2 Simulated Nursing License[\/caption]\n\n<div class=\"textbox shaded \">\n<p class=\"arrow\">Use this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/contact-bon.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">map<\/a> for contact information for the State Boards of Nursing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"arrow\">Read more details on obtaining a Wisconsin RN license at <a href=\"https:\/\/dsps.wi.gov\/Pages\/Professions\/RN\/Default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/dsps.wi.gov\/Pages\/Professions\/RN\/Default.aspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<h2>Nurse Licensure Compact<\/h2>\nWhen applying for your nursing license from your State Board of Nursing (SBON), you may also be eligible to apply for a multistate license. The <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"436\"]Nurse Licensure Compact[\/pb_glossary] <\/strong>(NLC) allows nurses to practice in other NLC states with their original state\u2019s nursing license without having to obtain additional licenses, contingent upon remaining a resident of that state. Currently, 38 states have enacted the NLC. Read more information about the NLC using the information in the following box.\n<div class=\"textbox shaded \">\n<p class=\"arrow\">View the current <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/NLC_Map.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nurse Licensure Compact Map.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"arrow\">Read this algorithm on how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/compacts.page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Navigate the Nurse Licensure Compact.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"arrow\">Read more information about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursecompact.com\/about.page#rules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nurse Licensure Compact Rules<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"video\">Watch a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/13628.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video for nursing students on the Nurse Licensure Compact.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<h2>Temporary Permit<\/h2>\nIn some states before taking the NCLEX, an applicant may apply to receive a temporary permit from their State Board of Nursing (SBON). A <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"437\"]temporary permit[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> allows the applicant to practice practical nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse until the RN license is granted. A temporary permit is typically valid for a period of three months or until the holder receives failing NCLEX results, whichever is shorter.\n<div class=\"textbox shaded \">\n<p class=\"arrow\">Read about the <a href=\"https:\/\/dsps.wi.gov\/Pages\/Professions\/RN\/Default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">temporary permit<\/a> available in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>","rendered":"<p><strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_249_435\">Licensure<\/a><\/strong> is the process by which a State Board of Nursing (SBON) grants permission to an individual to engage in nursing practice after verifying the applicant has attained the competency necessary to perform the scope of practice of a registered nurse (RN).<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"NCSBN. https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm\" id=\"return-footnote-249-1\" href=\"#footnote-249-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup> The SBON verifies these three components:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verification of graduation from an approved prelicensure RN nursing education program<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verification of successful completion of NCLEX-RN examination<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">A criminal background check (in some states)<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"NCSBN. https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm\" id=\"return-footnote-249-2\" href=\"#footnote-249-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the United States there are three common types of prelicensure educational programs that prepare a student to become an RN, including a two-year associate degree of nursing (ADN), a hospital-based diploma program, or a four-year baccalaureate degree (BSN). Some universities offer an &#8220;Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing Track&#8221; for non-nurses holding a baccalaureate or master&#8217;s degree in another field who wish to become a nurse. All graduates must pass the same NCLEX-RN to obtain their RN license from their SBON (or other nursing regulatory body).<\/p>\n<p>Requirements for licensure renewal vary from state to state. Some states require continued education credits (CEUs), along with the payment of fees. In Wisconsin the nursing license is renewed every two years. See Figure 11.2<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201c3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o.jpg\u201d by Vernon Dutton is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0\" id=\"return-footnote-249-3\" href=\"#footnote-249-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup> for an image of a simulated nursing license.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_248\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-248\" style=\"width: 562px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-248\" title=\"\u201c3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o.jpg\u201d by Vernon Dutton is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accphysicalgeology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2021\/08\/3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of a Simulated Nursing License\" width=\"562\" height=\"439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2021\/08\/3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o.jpg 903w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2021\/08\/3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2021\/08\/3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o-768x600.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2021\/08\/3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o-65x51.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2021\/08\/3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o-225x176.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2021\/08\/3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o-350x273.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 11.2 Simulated Nursing License<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"arrow\">Use this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/contact-bon.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">map<\/a> for contact information for the State Boards of Nursing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"arrow\">Read more details on obtaining a Wisconsin RN license at <a href=\"https:\/\/dsps.wi.gov\/Pages\/Professions\/RN\/Default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/dsps.wi.gov\/Pages\/Professions\/RN\/Default.aspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Nurse Licensure Compact<\/h2>\n<p>When applying for your nursing license from your State Board of Nursing (SBON), you may also be eligible to apply for a multistate license. The <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_249_436\">Nurse Licensure Compact<\/a> <\/strong>(NLC) allows nurses to practice in other NLC states with their original state\u2019s nursing license without having to obtain additional licenses, contingent upon remaining a resident of that state. Currently, 38 states have enacted the NLC. Read more information about the NLC using the information in the following box.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"arrow\">View the current <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/NLC_Map.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nurse Licensure Compact Map.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"arrow\">Read this algorithm on how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/compacts.page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Navigate the Nurse Licensure Compact.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"arrow\">Read more information about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursecompact.com\/about.page#rules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nurse Licensure Compact Rules<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"video\">Watch a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/13628.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video for nursing students on the Nurse Licensure Compact.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Temporary Permit<\/h2>\n<p>In some states before taking the NCLEX, an applicant may apply to receive a temporary permit from their State Board of Nursing (SBON). A <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_249_437\">temporary permit<\/a><\/strong> allows the applicant to practice practical nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse until the RN license is granted. A temporary permit is typically valid for a period of three months or until the holder receives failing NCLEX results, whichever is shorter.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"arrow\">Read about the <a href=\"https:\/\/dsps.wi.gov\/Pages\/Professions\/RN\/Default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">temporary permit<\/a> available in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-249-1\">NCSBN. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-249-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-249-2\">NCSBN. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\/nclex.htm<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-249-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-249-3\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nursingpins\/3277658479\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3277658479_86d3d7d61c_o.jpg<\/a>\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nursingpins\/3290095902\/in\/photostream\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vernon Dutton<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-249-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_249_435\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_249_435\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>The process by which a State Board of Nursing (SBON) grants permission to an individual to engage in nursing practice after verifying the applicant has attained the competency necessary to perform the scope of practice of a registered nurse (RN).<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_249_436\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_249_436\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>State legislation that allows nurses to practice in other NLC states with their original state\u2019s nursing license without having to obtain additional licenses, contingent upon remaining a resident of that state.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_249_437\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_249_437\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A permit issued by the State Board of Nursing (SBON) that allows the applicant to practice practical nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse until their RN license is granted.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":32,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[48],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-249","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless"],"part":242,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":578,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/249\/revisions\/578"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/242"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/249\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=249"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=249"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursing2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}