DHHS Internet Website - Public Health

Registered Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse
Requirements for Licensure

To qualify for license by examination you must:

1. Be of good moral character;
2. Have completed the basic curriculum and graduated from an approved program of practical or registered nursing for LPN licensure or registered nursing for RN licensure;
3. Proof of Age/Citizenship
4. Pass the NCLEX-PN® for LPN licensure or the NCLEX-RN® for RN licensure; and
5. Graduates of foreign nursing programs must pass an examination that includes English proficiency before he/she will be allowed to take the NCLEX® examination;

• Graduates from non-English speaking practical nursing education programs, must pass the TOEFL paper version with a minimum score of 540, the TOEFL computer version with a minimum score of 207, the IELTS with a score of 725, or the TOEIC with a minimum score of 780.
• Graduates of foreign registered nursing programs must pass either the English version of Canadian Nurses Association licensure examination ( CNATS or CRNE) or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools ( CGFNS) examination.

To qualify for licensure by endorsement you must:

1. Be of good moral character;
2. Have completed the basic curriculum and graduated from an approved program of practical or registered nursing for LPN licensure or registered nursing for RN licensure;
3. Proof of Age/Citizenship
4. Be currently or previously licensed in another state or jurisdiction;
5. Meet 1 of the following practice requirements for continued competence:
   1. Graduated from an approved nursing program within the previous 2 years; or
   2. Practiced nursing for a minimum of 500 hours within the previous 5 years; or
   3. Completed a review course of study within the previous 5 years; and
6. Have taken and passed the NCLEX ® or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE).