Training for nurse licensing boards can be accomplished in several ways. Whether you're an individual seeking nurse licensing or an employer planning to hire licensed nurses, one of your first steps should be learning about the training paths available.

Registered nurses are licensed by the state they will practice in and each state has different requirements. The educational requirements to sit for nurse licensing exams include diplomas, associate and baccalaureate degrees. To find out about more about the different options available to prepare for a license for nursing:

1. Get general information about licenses for nurses.

2. Look into diploma, associate and bachelor degree programs.

3. Consider options like distance learning and accelerated programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get information from regulatory agencies in nursing

Get an overview of the certification process before choosing a program. Since requirements for nursing exams vary by state, find out more about your state's licensing board.

I recommend: Find links to state licensing boards at the National Council for State Boards of Nursing. Get information about credentialing for nursing programs from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Find out about diploma programs that lead to a nurse license

Many hospitals and other institutions offer private nursing education programs. These programs usually award a diploma and qualify nurses to sit for the licensing exam to become registered nurses. Some advantages of these programs are convenient schedules and clinical experience. Some also offer reimbursement for training if the nurse works at the hospital after graduation for a specified period.

I recommend: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission offers a directory of accredited diploma programs, as well as baccalaureate, associate, masters and doctorate programs. Discover Nursing, a service provided by Johnson & Johnson, provides a directory of diploma programs as well as information about nursing.

Find associate programs that qualify graduates to sit for nursing licensing board exams

Associate programs are the most popular training for registered nurses (RN). They offer shorter programs than diplomas or bachelor's degree education. Training is available at local colleges and schools as well as online through distance learning.

I recommend: UCEADirectory, a service of Educational Directories Unlimited and the University Continuing Education Association, lists distance and online associate programs for nurses. Excelsior College is one of the oldest virtual colleges in the nation. It offers Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science nursing degrees. The entire associates degree can be earned through distance programs.

Look into baccalaureate programs for nurse licenses

A Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares a nurse for more advanced roles and greater employment opportunities. Many registered nurses raining for nurse licensing boards earn an associates or diploma first, then get their BSN while working. BSN programs are offered at many colleges and universities. Some also offer distance and online degrees and accelerated degrees for graduates with a previous degree in a field other than nursing.

I recommend: AllNursingSchools includes a directory of online RN to BSN programs. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing provides a directory of accelerated degree programs for graduates with a degree other than nursing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep in mind that nurses licenses don't transfer from one state to another. To work in a new state, a nurse must get licensed by that state's board.

If you’re looking to hire a nurse for your business, or if you’re in the health care industry, you may be wondering about nurse licensing boards or a license for nursing. Perhaps you’re not looking to hire a nurse, but looking to become one and you’re interesting in licensing information.

Interestingly enough, nurse licenses are not national; each state has specific requirements for the licensing of nurses and nurse practitioners. If you’re looking to hire a nurse or you want to become one, here are the things you’re most concerned about.

1. Find out what your state’s requirements are for a nursing license.

2. Discovering if a potential employee has a nursing license.

3. Finding out more information about the licensing of nurse practitioners.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get information about each state's nurse licensing boards

Each state has different requirements for licenses for nurses. Speak to your nursing school or contact your state's Board of Registered Nurses for more information. If you already have a license in another state and want to get a license in a different one, contact the Board of Registered Nurses in your new state. Some nursing license boards will let you get a license with only a little work.

I recommend: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) provides information about testing and state requirements. You can also go to All Nursing Schools for a complete list of state nursing boards.

Discover if a nurse has a nurse license

If you want to hire a nurse, a big priority is finding out whether that nurse has a license in your state. Luckily, there are many ways you can check on the licensure of a potential employee.

I recommend: The NCSBN lets employers check the status of an employee's or potential employee’s license. Nurses who want to a license to practice in other states can also get information about requirements here. You can also go to the Health Integrity and Protection Data Bank to find out what to do if you find a nurse working without a license, you feel a nurse isn’t behaving in a safe, competent, ethical way or you believe the nurse isn’t in compliance with applicable laws and rules.

Learn more about the nurse practitioner licensing board

Nurse practitioners are nurses with advanced training. They're already an RN and have gone on to get their masters degree and additional training in health issues. They work closely with doctors and many people have a nurse practitioner as their regular provider.

I recommend: Nurse practitioners may need additional requirements for their nurses licenses, such as certification with American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) or national certification with American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (ANA).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you or a potential employee meets all the requirements to get a license for nursing in your state--not another state.

In the United States, state operated nurse licensing boards determine the rules and regulations for obtaining a nursing license within a particular jurisdiction. In essence, the state boards serve as the regulatory agencies in nursing. While states don't have a specific nurse practitioner licensing board, nurse practitioners also fall under the guise of the state nursing license boards.

Generally, nurses are required to complete a specific sequence of training as approved by the nurse license board. In addition, practicing nurses are required to obtain continuing education credits in order to maintain their license for nursing. Consider these sources to comply with nurse licensing boards’ education and training.

1. Training programs for nurse licenses should be in accordance with state and national standards.

2. Associations, such as the American Nurses Association, provide additional credentialing for nurses licenses.

3. There are specific state requirements for obtaining advanced licenses for nurses, such as a nurse practitioner license.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete nurse licensing board mandated education and exams

It's important to identify an approved nurse licensing boards education and training program. You won't get a license if you don't participate in a program that meets the standards of your jurisdiction's licensing board. Once you've completed your program, you'll need to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN, which are nursing exams developed under the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

I recommend: Contact your jurisdiction's nurse license board before selecting a nurse training program. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing provides links to state nursing boards. Schedule your licensing examination through Pearson Education, which administers the exams at various locations throughout the country.

Maintain nurse licenses by completing accredited continuing education credits

Once you have a nursing license, you must maintain the license by taking continuing education classes. It's imperative that these classes meet your jurisdiction's nurse licensing board requirements. Most nurse licensing boards look for training that meets the standards of at least one nurse credentialing agency.

I recommend: The American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, has a list of training organizations that offer accredited continuing education courses. Generally, these courses meet standards for nurse licensing boards’ education and training requirements. Nurse CEU.com offers a list of online continuing education classes. Once you find a class here, check it against the ANCC list to be sure your course is accredited.

Consider taking additional training for an advanced nursing license

Nursing is a profession with tremendous opportunities for growth and advancement. Nurses can specialize in any number of fields including nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners.

I recommend: Check for accredited nurse anesthetist programs on the website for the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs. You can click on the link for your state to be sure your getting programs that meet state licensing board standards. If you're interested in advanced training as a nurse practitioner, search the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners website for approved programs within your state.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider getting certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. While your nursing license board may not require this certification, it will help you to attain jobs and command higher salaries.