Nursing Licensure Boards
Completing an on-campus or online master’s degree in nursing or a nurse practitioner program is the first step toward a fulfilling nursing career. To work in a professional setting as a registered nurse (RN), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) nurses must also meet the professional standards set forth by their state’s board of nursing.
Nurses are regulated, much like medical doctors and other medical professionals. Because of their capacity working with the health of our communities, nurses are licensed by states to ensure they are qualified to provide care to patients.
To qualify for a license, you may be required to submit:
- Official transcripts
- An application fee
- A completed application, which may require a fingerprint card and comprehensive background check
- Passing NCLEX score
- For APRN roles, board-recognized national certification consistent with your state's adopted APRN Consensus Model
- For APRN roles, recorded graduate-level clinical hours completed as part of an accredited education program
Requirements will vary by state and by nursing career, including how often a license must be renewed. Washington, for example, renews RN and LPN licenses annually but renews ARNP licenses every other year, while California issues an initial RN license that expires on the nurse's second birthday and then renews every two years. Every state will have its own criteria, so nurses will need to research the requirements of the state where they want to work.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
What Is the State Board of Nursing?
State boards of nursing were created more than 100 years ago in the United States. The state board of nursing is the governing body that sets standards for safe nursing care, evaluates and issues licenses, and disciplines unsafe practice, among other functions:
- Establishes standards for safe nursing care
- Evaluates licensure applications
- Issues licenses to practice nursing
- Renews nursing licenses
- Holds licenses to provisions defined in state/territorial laws
- Takes disciplinary action against nurses who have engaged in unsafe nursing practice, including probation, reprimand, limited or restricted practice, suspended practice and license revocation
- Authorizes use of licensing examinations
- Advises on the determination of the legal scope of nursing practice in the state
- Approves nursing education programs
- Regulates advanced nursing practice, consistent with each state's adopted APRN Consensus Model
- May also regulate nursing assistants, nurse aides and medication aides, though these functions vary by state board
The purpose of nursing licensing and regulatory boards is to issue and monitor licensing to nurses while maintaining standards for safe nursing care. Each state has its own Nurse Practice Act that is enforced by nursing regulatory bodies employing nurses to comply with law and rules to maintain their licenses. Nurse Practice Acts often include qualifications for licensure, nurse career titles to use, scope of practice, and actions against nurses who do not follow the law.
What Is the Role of the State Board of Nursing?
The state board of nursing establishes clear legal authorization for the scope of the nursing practice and ensures nursing titles are given to the professionals who have met the essential qualifications.
These functions protect the public from being treated by unqualified health care providers, which could harm their health and livelihood. Through licensing and nursing-education-program approval, state boards of nursing help ensure nursing professionals are qualified to provide safe patient care.
Find Your State’s Board of Nursing
Alabama Board of Nursing
770 Washington Ave., Suite 250
Montgomery, AL 36104
(800) 656-5318
Alabama Board of Nursing Website
Alaska Board of Nursing
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567
(907) 269-8161
Alaska Board of Nursing Website
Arizona State Board of Nursing
1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 771-7800
Arizona State Board of Nursing Website
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
1123 S. University, Suite 800
Little Rock, AR 72204
(501) 686-2700
Arkansas State Board of Nursing Website
California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-7800
Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians Website
California Board of Registered Nursing
1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 322-3350
California Board of Registered Nursing Website
Colorado Board of Nursing
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-7800
Colorado Board of Nursing Website
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing
410 Capitol Ave., MS #13PHO
Hartford, CT 06134
(860) 509-7603
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing Website
Delaware Board of Nursing
Cannon Building, Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 744-4500
Delaware Board of Nursing Website
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
DC Health, 2201 Shannon Place, SE, 1st Floor
Washington, DC 20020
1 (877) 672-2174
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Website
Florida Board of Nursing
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-02
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 245-4125
Florida Board of Nursing Website
Georgia Board of Nursing
3920 Arkwright Rd, Suite 195
Macon, GA 31210
404-424-9966
Georgia Board of Nursing Website
Hawaii Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 586-2695
Hawaii Board of Nursing Website
Idaho Board of Nursing
11341 W. Chinden Blvd., Building 4
Boise, ID 83714
(208) 334-3233
Idaho Board of Nursing Website
Illinois Board of Nursing
555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
(888) 473-4858
Illinois Board of Nursing Website
Indiana State Board of Nursing
402 W. Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
1-800-457-8283
Indiana State Board of Nursing
Iowa Board of Nursing
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50321
515-380-7308
Iowa Board of Nursing Website
Kansas Board of Nursing
900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 1051
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-4929
Kansas Board of Nursing Website
Kentucky Board of Nursing
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 429-3300
Kentucky Board of Nursing Website
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
(225) 755-7500
Louisiana State Board of Nursing Website
Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners
131 Airline Drive, Suite 301
Metairie, LA 70001
(504) 838-5791
Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners Website
Maine State Board of Nursing
161 Capitol Street
Augusta, Maine 04333
(207) 287-1133
Maine State Board of Nursing Website
Maryland Board of Nursing
4140 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 585-1900
Maryland Board of Nursing Website
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 973-0800
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing Website
Michigan Board of Nursing
611 W. Ottawa
Lansing, MI 48909
517-241-0199
Michigan Board of Nursing Website
Minnesota Board of Nursing
1210 Northland Drive, Suite 120
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
(612) 317-3000
Minnesota Board of Nursing Website
Mississippi Board of Nursing
713 Pear Orchard Road, Plaza II, Suite 300
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 957-6300
Mississippi Board of Nursing Website
Missouri State Board of Nursing
3605 Missouri Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-0681
Missouri State Board of Nursing Website. For additional Missouri NP practice information, see AANP's Missouri advocacy page.
Montana Board of Nursing
301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-6880
Montana Board of Nursing Website
Nebraska Nurse Licensing
301 Centennial Mall South, 3rd Floor
Lincoln, NE 68508 (mailing: PO Box 94986, Lincoln, NE 68509-5026)
(402) 471-4376
Nebraska Nurse Licensing Website
Nevada State Board of Nursing
Reno: 6005 Plumas St., Suite 100, Reno, NV 89519; Las Vegas: 5820 S. Eastern Ave, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89119
(888) 590-6726
Nevada State Board of Nursing Website
New Hampshire Board of Nursing
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-2152
New Hampshire Board of Nursing Website
New Jersey Board of Nursing
124 Halsey Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
(973) 504-6430
New Jersey Board of Nursing Website
New Mexico Board of Nursing
6301 Indian School Road, NE #710
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 841-8340
New Mexico Board of Nursing Website
New York State Board of Nursing
89 Washington Ave., 2nd Floor West Wing
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-3817
New York State Board of Nursing Website
North Carolina Board of Nursing
4516 Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 782-3211
North Carolina Board of Nursing Website
North Dakota Board of Nursing
919 S. 7th Street, Suite 504
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 751-3000
North Dakota Board of Nursing Website
Ohio Board of Nursing
8995 East Main Street
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
(614) 466-3947
Ohio Board of Nursing Website
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
2501 N. Lincoln Blvd., Ste. 207
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 962-1800
Oklahoma Board of Nursing Website
Oregon State Board of Nursing
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road
Portland, OR 97224
971-673-0685
Oregon State Board of Nursing Website
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
2601 N. 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(833) 367-2762
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Website
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-5960
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education Website
South Carolina Board of Nursing
110 Centerview Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-4550
South Carolina Board of Nursing Website
South Dakota Board of Nursing
4305 S. Louise Ave., Suite 201
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-2760
South Dakota Board of Nursing Website
Tennessee Board of Nursing
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 532-5166
Tennessee Board of Nursing
Texas Board of Nursing
333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 305-7400
Texas Board of Nursing Website
Utah Board of Nursing
Heber M. Wells Building, 4th Floor, 160
East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 530-6628
Utah Board of Nursing Website
Vermont State Board of Nursing
89 Main Street, 3rd Floor
Montpelier, VT 05620
(802) 828-1505
Vermont State Board of Nursing Website
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
(804) 367-4400
Virginia Board of Nursing Website
Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON)
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 236-4703
Washington State Board of Nursing Website
West Virginia RN Board
5001 MacCorkle Ave, SW
South Charleston, WV 25309
(304) 744-0900
West Virginia RN Board Website
West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses
101 Dee Drive, Suite 100
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 558-3572
West Virginia LPN Board website
State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Board of Nursing
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 266-2112
Wisconsin Board of Nursing Website
Wyoming State Board of Nursing
130 Hobbs Ave., Suite B
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7601
Wyoming State Board of Nursing Website
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
FAQs
If you’re interested in becoming a member of the board of nursing in your state, contact the board to find out how. Typically, board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. You may need to contact the governor’s appointment office in your state if you’re interested. The existing board of nursing members may also play a role in approving new nurses for appointment.
To qualify for appointment, nurses will typically have to have worked a certain amount of years in the jurisdiction they’re applying for and be licensed.
Get Licensed to Advance Your Nursing Career
Licensure enables nurses to legally practice nursing in their state. Getting licensed can lead to career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential. Check with your state to see what requirements you need to fulfill to get licensed and legally practice nursing.
Select your state
- Alabama (AL)
- Alaska (AK)
- Arizona (AZ)
- Arkansas (AR)
- California (CA)
- Colorado (CO)
- Connecticut (CT)
- Delaware (DE)
- Florida (FL)
- Georgia (GA)
- Hawaii (HI)
- Idaho (ID)
- Illinois (IL)
- Indiana (IN)
- Iowa (IA)
- Kansas (KS)
- Kentucky (KY)
- Louisiana (LA)
- Maine (ME)
- Maryland (MD)
- Massachusetts (MA)
- Michigan (MI)
- Minnesota (MN)
- Mississippi (MS)
- Missouri (MO)
- Montana (MT)
- Nebraska (NE)
- Nevada (NV)
- New Hampshire (NH)
- New Jersey (NJ)
- New Mexico (NM)
- New York (NY)
- North Carolina (NC)
- North Dakota (ND)
- Ohio (OH)
- Oklahoma (OK)
- Oregon (OR)
- Pennsylvania (PA)
- Rhode Island (RI)
- South Carolina (SC)
- South Dakota (SD)
- Tennessee (TN)
- Texas (TX)
- Utah (UT)
- Vermont (VT)
- Virginia (VA)
- Washington (WA)
- Washington, DC (DC)
- West Virginia (WV)
- Wisconsin (WI)
- Wyoming (WY)
Information last updated: September 2026