Become a Nurse in Colorado – Licensure & Requirements

Colorado Nursing Salaries

Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Colorado in January 2020.

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Colorado. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Colorado, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Colorado nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Colorado, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

Colorado is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

Prescriptive Authority in Colorado

According to the Rules and Regulations for the Licensure of Practice And Professional Nurses, to obtain prescriptive authority in Colorado, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) must obtain a Provisional Prescriptive Authority first. The provisional authority requires: graduate degree completion, educational coursework in use of controlled substances and prescription drugs, national certification, and three years of combined clinical work experience as a professional nurse or APRN. This provisional authority covers the prescription of schedules II-V controlled substances.

Within three years after being granted provisional prescriptive authority, APRNs must complete 1,000 hours of mentorship with a physician or advanced practice nurse with full prescriptive authority and experience in prescribing medications and develop an Articulated Plan for safe prescribing.

Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) in Colorado

Education: Master’s degree or higher from an approved nurse practitioner program

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required: National certification is required for licensure as an APN in Colorado dependent on the type of nursing career: certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist.

Fees:

• $75 Application Fee
• $51 Fingerprinting Fee
• Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)

Renewal: Nurse practitioners authorities experience on September 30th of odd- or even-numbered years; these are renewed separately from nursing licenses.

Additional Information: An active Colorado registered nurse (RN) license or compact-multi state RN license is required for application

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Colorado

Education: Completed a state-approved professional nursing educational program.

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

• $88 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee
• $43 Endorsement Fee [if applicable]

Renewal: Registered nurse licenses expire on September 30 of odd- or even-numbered years and are dependent upon issuance date.

Additional Information: Registered nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Colorado, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Colorado

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a registered nurse in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Colorado

Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

• $88 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee
• $45 IV Authority Application Fee [if applicable]
• $43 Endorsement Fee [if applicable]

Renewal: Licensed practical nurse license expires on August 31 of even-numbered years.

Additional Information: Licensed practical nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Colorado, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Colorado

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a licensed practical nurse in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information for the nursing careers above: advanced practice nurses, registered nurse and licensed practical nurse was retrieved from the Colorado Board of Nursing – Laws, Rules and Policies, as of January 2020.