New york board of nursing application for international nurses

You must be licensed and registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as a registered professional nurse (RN) to practice nursing as an RN or refer to yourself as an “RN”, “registered nurse” or “registered professional nurse” in New York State.

Licensure and Registration

To be licensed and registered as an RN in New York State, you must:

After you qualify for a license as an RN, NYSED will issue you a license parchment and a registration certificate.

Laws that govern RN licensure are included in Education Law Article 139 and 8 NYCRR Part 64.

You should also read the general licensing information applicable for all professions.

Fees

The fee for licensure and first registration is $143.

The fee for a limited permit is $35.

Fees are subject to change. The fee due is the one in law when your application is received. You will be billed for the difference if fees have been increased.

NOTE: Payment submitted from outside the United States should be made by credit card, check or draft on a United States bank and in United States currency; payments submitted in any other form will not be accepted and will be returned.

Partial Refunds

Individuals who withdraw their licensure application may be entitled to a partial refund.

If you withdraw your application, obtain a refund, and then decide to seek New York State licensure at a later date, you will be considered a new applicant, and you will be required to pay the licensure and registration fees and meet the licensure requirements in place at the time you reapply.

Moral Character Requirements

You must demonstrate that you are currently of good moral character in order to be licensed or registered as an RN. When you apply for a license or to renew your registration, you will be required to answer the following questions:

A “yes” answer to one or more of these questions will not necessarily disqualify you from a license or a registration in New York State. The New York State Education Department decides on a case by case basis whether prior criminal conviction(s) or other issues will disqualify the applicant from being licensed or registered as an RN in New York State.

Education Requirements

FRAUD ALERT: Don't make the costly mistake of attending a “nursing school” in New York that will not qualify you to be licensed as an RN!! Before you enroll in or pay for a nursing education program in New York State , VERIFY that it is a nursing education program registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying for RN. A list of these registered nursing education programs is on our website.

To meet the education requirements for licensure as an RN, you must graduate from an nursing education program acceptable to the New York State Education Department (NYSED). In addition, you must complete NYSED approved child abuse reporting and New York State required infection control coursework or qualify for an exemption from the coursework requirements.

Education Programs

You must graduate from a nursing education program that meets one of the three criteria below.

  1. A nursing education program (associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree or Diploma program) registered by NYSED as license qualifying for RN; or,
  2. A nursing education program located in another state or U.S. Territory, if approved by the licensing authority of the state or U.S. Territory as preparation for practice as an RN. (US territories include: Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa); or,
  3. A general nursing education program located in a country outside of the United States or its territories, which is acceptable to NYSED.

Child Abuse Reporting Coursework

Before NYSED will issue you a limited permit or license, you must complete NYSED approved child abuse reporting coursework or qualify for an exemption.

Infection Control Coursework

All practicing RNs must complete NYSED approved infection control coursework every four (4) years or qualify for an exemption. When you apply for a license, you will be required to show that you completed NYSED approved infection control coursework or qualify for an exemption.

Examination Requirements

In most cases, to meet the examination requirements for licensure as a RN, you must pass the National Council Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and administered by Pearson VUE. The NCLEX-RN is designed to test knowledge and skills essential for safe and effective entry level RN practice. If you were licensed as an RN in another state, U.S. Territory or Canada and passed the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) or the Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), you have already met the examination requirement for licensure as an RN. In all other cases, you must take and pass the NCLEX-RN.

Pearson VUE is a company that offers the NCLEX-RN throughout the U.S., in U.S. territories and in some other countries. Before you will be allowed to take the NCLEX-RN, you must:

  1. Apply for licensure as an RN and pay the $143 fee to NYSED.
  2. Register directly with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN at www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/ or by calling Pearson VUE at 1-866-496-2539.

Note: If you have a disability and are seeking a reasonable accommodation to take the NCLEX-RN, you must complete and submit a Request for Reasonable Testing Accommodations Form to NYSED. You can also request copy of the form by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 320 or by faxing 518-473-8222. NYSED will inform you in writing whether your request has been approved. You will not be allowed to take the NCLEX-RN until your request has been processed by NYSED. Please note in your Application for Licensure (Form 1) that you are requesting reasonable accommodation(s).

NYS Licensure Requirements for Applicants Licensed in Another U.S. State or Territory

An instructional checklist is available for registered nurse applicants licensed in another U.S. state or territory that have graduated from a nursing school in the U.S.