New york state registered nurse license application

The New York State Education Department (“SED”) Office of the Professions (“OP”) is alerting everyone to a vishing scam that has been brought to our attention. Phishing—or “vishing”—scams impersonate SED employees or websites attempting to collect licensure and personal information from the licensee. If you receive an inquiry which you believe to be suspicious do not provide any information. To verify if the inquiry was from OP, contact OP directly using the following contact information. You may report any suspicious communication received to the Federal Trade Commission.

Registered Professional Nurse

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General

The 4 types of New York nursing professions are:

• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
• Registered Professional Nurses (RNs)
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs). New York State certifies NPs in the following specialty areas: Acute Care; Adult Health; Family Health; Pediatrics; Women's Health; Psychiatry; Gerontology; Neonatology; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Oncology; Perinatology; School Health; College Health; Holistic Health; Community Health and Palliative care.
• Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) New York State certifies CNSs in the following specialty areas: Adult Health; Pediatrics; Psychiatric/Mental Health; and Oncology.

Note: In New York, midwifery is not considered a nursing profession. Midwifery is a separately licensed profession.

New York Law requires the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to charge the following fees:

• Licensed Professional Nurses (LPNs)
  • If you are applying for an LPN license - you must pay a $143 fee to NYSED. This fee covers your license and your initial LPN registration.
  • If you are also applying for a limited permit - you must pay an additional $35 fee to NYSED.
  • If you are renewing your LPN registration - you must pay a $73 fee to NYSED.
  • If you are applying for an RN license - you must pay a $143 fee to NYSED. This fee covers your license and your initial RN registration.
  • If you are also applying for a limited permit - you must pay an additional $35 fee to NYSED.
  • If you are renewing your RN registration - you must pay a $73 fee to NYSED.
  • If you are applying for a CNS certificate only - you must pay an $80 fee to NYSED. This fee covers your CNS certificate and your initial CNS registration.
  • If you are applying for an RN license and a CNS certificate - you must pay a $223 fee to NYSED.
  • If you are renewing your CNS and RN registrations, you must pay to NYSED $30 for each CNS certificate that you hold and an additional $73 fee for your RN registration.
  • If you are applying for an NP certificate only - you must pay an $85 fee to NYSED. This fee covers your NP certificate and your initial NP registration.
  • If you are applying for an RN license and an NP certificate - you must pay a $228 fee to NYSED.
  • If you are renewing your NP and RN registrations - you must pay to NYSED $35 for each NP certificate that you hold and an additional $73 fee for your RN registration.

  3. I am licensed in another state as a nurse. Does New York State participate in the Nursing Licensure Compact?

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  No. New York State is not a Nursing Licensure Compact State. Please reference this instructional checklist if you hold a registered nurse license in another U.S. state or territory and have graduated from a nursing school in the U.S.

  4. What should I do if my name or address changes while I am applying for a license or certificate or after I am licensed or certified?

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  You are legally required to notify the New York State Education Department (NYSED) of your name and/or address change within 30 days. More information on how to notify NYSED of your name or address change.

  5. Must I disclose criminal convictions or prior misconduct when I apply for a New York State nursing license?

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  When you apply for a nursing license or to renew your nursing registration, you will be required to answer the following questions:

  • Have you been found guilty after trial, or pleaded guilty, no contest or nolo contendere to a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any court?
  • Are criminal charges pending against you in any court?
  • Has any licensing or disciplinary authority refused to issue you a license or ever revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew a professional license or certificate held by you now or previously, or ever fined, censured, reprimanded, or otherwise disciplined you?
  • Are charges pending against you in any jurisdiction for any sort of professional misconduct? Has any hospital or licensed facility restricted or terminated your professional training, employment or privileges or have you ever voluntarily or involuntarily resigned or withdrawn from such association to avoid imposition of such measures?

  You must report all criminal convictions and disciplinary actions against you, regardless of whether it occurred in New York State or elsewhere. You do not have to disclose "youthful offender" offenses, if your records have been sealed.

  6. Will a prior criminal conviction prevent me from obtaining a license or registration to practice nursing in New York?

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  Not necessarily. As part of the review of your license or registration application, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) will review your background including your prior conviction(s). NYSED decides on a case by case basis whether your prior criminal conviction(s) will disqualify you from being licensed as a nurse in New York.

  Note: Courts often notify NYSED when nurses are convicted of a crime.

  7. Do I have to be a US citizen in order to qualify for a nursing license in New York State? Icon for the answer

  No. US citizens and other persons lawfully in the US may qualify for a nursing license.

  8. Do I need a social security number in order to qualify for a nursing license in New York State? Icon for the answer

  No. You are not required to have a social security number. However, if you have a social security number, you must disclose it on your nursing license application and on your nursing registration renewal applications.

  9. How can I verify whether a nursing school or a nursing education program is "approved" by New York State?

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  In New York State, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is responsible for "approving" (registering) nursing education programs. A list of NYSED registered nursing education programs is available at www.nysed.gov/heds/IRPSL1.html. All out-of-state and online nursing education programs must be registered or approved by NYSED in order to place students in clinical rotations in New York State (except in federal U.S. Armed forces or Veteran's Administration facilities).

  RN & LPN

  10. What are the requirements for becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New York? Icon for the answer

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

  1. be of good moral character;
  2. be at least seventeen years old;
  3. be a high school graduate (or the equivalent);
  4. be a graduate of a nursing education program acceptable to the New York State Education Department (NYSED);
  5. complete New York State required infection control coursework;
  6. pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) or another license examination acceptable to NYSED; and,
  7. apply for an LPN license with NYSED.

  To learn about LPN licensure requirements, click here.

  11. I was a student in an RN education program but did not graduate. Am I eligible to take NCLEX-PN to become licensed as an LPN?

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  No, you must be a graduate of a nursing education program acceptable to the New York State Education Department to be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN to become licensed as an LPN.

  12. What are the requirements for becoming a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) in New York? Icon for the answer

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

  1. be of good moral character;
  2. be at least eighteen years old;
  3. be a graduate of a nursing education program acceptable to NYSED;
  4. complete New York State required infection control coursework and child abuse reporting coursework;
  5. pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or other license examination acceptable to NYSED; and,
  6. apply for an RN license with NYSED.

  To learn about RN licensure requirements, click here.

  13. Am I required to be licensed and registered as an LPN or RN by the New York State Education Department (NYSED)?

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  You must be licensed and registered as an LPN or RN by NYSED to practice nursing.

  14. Is there a difference between being licensed and being registered as a nurse in New York State? Icon for the answer

  Yes. After you apply for and qualify for an LPN or RN license, NYSED will send you a nursing license parchment and a registration certificate. Your nursing license is valid for life unless it is surrendered, revoked, annulled or suspended by the New York State Board of Regents. Your registration certificate will authorize you to practice as a nurse for up to three years. You must renew your registration every three years to continue to practice nursing. You are not legally allowed to practice nursing while your registration is expired.

  15. I am licensed by New York State to practice nursing. I want to apply online to renew my nursing registration, but I do not have my Personal Identification Number (PIN). How do I find out what my PIN number is?

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  The New York State Education Department (NYSED) sends PINs to nurses at the address it has on file. If you did not receive a PIN from NYSED, you may need to update your address (see question 4). To request a PIN, contact us. Your request must include the following information:

  • Your full name
  • Your profession (i.e., registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner)
  • The last 4 digits of your social security number
  • Your date of birth.

  NYSED responds to PIN requests within two weeks. If your email request includes all required information, NYSED will reply with your PIN and a link where you can renew your registration online.

  TIP: When you renew your registration online, enter only your 6-digit nursing license number, including any zeros at the beginning of your license number. Do not include letters, dashes, or numbers after slashes when entering your license number. In addition, keep in mind when you register that your PIN is case-sensitive.

  16. How do I satisfy the infection control coursework requirements for an LPN or RN license? Icon for the answer

  If you are applying for an LPN or RN license, you must complete New York State Education Department (NYSED) approved infection control coursework or qualify for an exemption. Thereafter, you must complete NYSED approved infection control coursework every four years or qualify for an exemption.

  • Graduates of NYSED registered LPN or RN education programs. If you recently graduated from an LPN or RN education program that is registered with NYSED as qualifying for LPN or RN licenses, you have already completed the infection control coursework requirement as part of your nursing studies. You do not have to take additional infection control coursework to qualify for a nursing license. However, after obtaining a New York LPN or RN license, you must take infection control coursework every four years or qualify for an exemption.
  • Graduates of NYSED registered LPN or RN education programs. If you did not graduate from a NYSED registered LPN or RN education program, you must complete NYSED approved infection control course within 90 days of the date that you are licensed as an LPN or RN in New York, or qualify for an exemption. For more information about taking an approved infection control course and a list of approved course providers, click here. After obtaining a New York LPN or RN license, you must take infection control coursework every four years, or qualify for an exemption.
  • Exemptions. You may qualify for an exemption from the infection control coursework requirement if you can demonstrate to the satisfaction of NYSED that: (1) you have taken infection control training that is equivalent to the infection control coursework required by NYSED; or (2) taking infection control coursework is not necessary due to the nature of your nursing practice. You can request this exemption when you apply for your nursing license. Thereafter, you must take NYSED infection control training, or apply and qualify for an exemption, every four years.
  17. How do I satisfy the child abuse reporting course requirements needed for an RN license? Icon for the answer

  Before the New York State Education Department (NYSED) can issue you an RN license or limited permit, you must complete child abuse reporting coursework approved by NYSED or qualify for an exemption.

  • If you graduated after September 1, 1990 from a nursing education program that is registered with NYSED as RN license qualifying, you already completed the child abuse reporting coursework requirement as part of your RN studies. You do not have to take additional child abuse reporting coursework to qualify for an RN license or limited permit.
  • If you did not graduate from a New York State RN education program after September 1, 1990 and you do not qualify for an exemption, you must complete child abuse reporting coursework offered by a course provider approved by NYSED. For more information and a list of NYSED approved course providers, click here.
  • You may qualify for an exemption from the child abuse reporting coursework requirement if you can demonstrate to NYSED that, during your nursing practice, you will not have contact with persons under the age of 18 or residents of nursing homes or residential care schools. You can request this exemption when you apply for your RN license.

  NOTE: The child abuse reporting course requirement DOES NOT apply to LPNs.

  18. What test must I pass to qualify for an LPN license in New York? Icon for the answer

  Most LPN license applicants must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Vocational or Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The NCLEX-PN is designed to test knowledge and skills essential for safe and effective entry level LPN practice. In very rare circumstances, an applicant may qualify for a license by passing the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) or other LPN license examination accepted by another state or US territory.

  19. What test must I pass to qualify for an RN license in New York? Icon for the answer

  Most applicants for an RN license must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN is designed to test knowledge and skills essential for safe and effective entry level RN practice. In very rare circumstances, an applicant may qualify for a license by passing the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) or other RN license examination accepted by another state or US territory.

  20. How do I sign up to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN? Icon for the answer

  Pearson VUE is a not-for-profit company that offers the NCLEX–PN and the NCLEX-RN. The NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN are administered at Pearson Professional Centers (PPC) located throughout the US and in US territories. Additionally, international testing centers are located in other countries, including Australia, Canada, England and Mexico.

  You must register directly with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN. You can register online at www.vue.com/nclex or by calling Pearson VUE at 1-866-496-2539. You must pay to Pearson VUE an examination registration fee of $200. If you schedule your NCLEX at an international test center, you may have to pay additional fees.

  21. I have already registered to take the NCLEX with Pearson VUE. When will I receive my Authorization to Test (ATT)?

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  The New York State Education Department (NYSED) must review your RN or LPN license application to determine whether you are eligible to take the NCLEX. If NYSED determines that you are eligible to take the NCLEX, NYSED will inform Pearson VUE directly. Pearson VUE will then issue an ATT to you by mail or email. The ATT will include an ATT number. You must have an ATT number to schedule an appointment to take the NCLEX. Additionally, you must present the ATT and acceptable identification at the test center in order to be admitted to take the NCLEX.

  22. Can the New York State Education Department issue me an ATT or an ATT number or tell me when Pearson VUE will issue me an ATT or ATT number?

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  No. The ATT or ATT number must be obtained directly from Pearson VUE.

  23. Can a candidate with a disability obtain a reasonable accommodation when taking the NCLEX? Icon for the answer

  The candidate must complete the "Request for Reasonable Accommodations for Testing" form and submit it to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) at the address noted on the form. NYSED must approve or disapprove the request for a reasonable accommodation(s) before a candidate can sign up to take the NCLEX.

  24. I failed the NCLEX. What do I need to do to retake it? Icon for the answer

  You must register again with Pearson VUE and pay a $200 fee to retake the NCLEX. For more information, visit: www.pearsonvue.com/nclex or call 1-866-496-2539.

  You DO NOT need to file another RN or LPN licensure application or pay additional fees to the New York State Education Department to retake the NCLEX.

  25. Can a nursing school graduate provide nursing services before being licensed and registered to practice as an LPN or RN in New York?

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  In some limited cases, yes.

  Limited Permits. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) issues limited permits to nursing school graduates who apply for an LPN or RN license and a limited permit, who have met all criteria for the license except for taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The limited permit allows the new graduate nurse to practice under the direct supervision of an RN at the health care facility noted on the limited permit. The supervising RN must be on the patient care unit at all times when a new graduate provides care. The limited permit expires one year from the date of issue, or ten days after the limited permit holder is notified that she or he failed the NCLEX, whichever happens sooner. An expired limited permit does not legally authorize you to practice nursing.
  

  Note: If you graduated from a nursing school that was taught in a language other than English, you may have to pass a test to demonstrate that you are English Language proficient before NYSED will issue you a limited permit.

  26. What is the correct title for nursing school graduates who hold a limited permit issued by the New York State Education Department?

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  The correct title for an LPN license applicant who holds a limited permit is Graduate Practical Nurse (GPN). The correct title for an RN license applicant who holds a limited permit is Graduate Nurse (GN). These titles must be displayed on identification badges and must also be used when signing official patientcare documents.

  Internationally Educated

  27. I recently graduated with a BN/BScN/BSN degree from a Canadian University. What are the steps for applying for licensure as an RN in New York State?

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  There are 5 methods for applying for licensure as an RN in New York State. If you were granted the BN, BSN, or BScN degree after January 1, 2015 from a university in a Canadian province (except Quebec), you may apply for licensure as a recent Canadian graduate (using RN method #4). If you don’t qualify, you may apply for licensure as an internationally educated applicant (using RN method #5).

  For instructions for applying for licensure as an RN in New York State, click here.

  28. I didn't go to college in the United States. I graduated from a nursing school in another country. What are the steps for applying for licensure as an RN in New York State?

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  There are 5 methods for applying for licensure as an RN in New York State. If you graduated from a nursing school in another country, you can apply for licensure as an internationally educated applicant (using RN method #5).

  For instructions for applying for licensure as an RN in New York State, click here.

  29. I went to nursing school in another country and want to be an RN in New York State. When will I be allowed to take the NCLEX-RN?

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  Before you will be allowed to take the NCLEX-RN, the following sequence of events must happen:

  1. You must:
     1. apply for licensure as an RN with the New York State Education Department (NYSED);
     2. either have CGFNS verify your nursing education credentials or use Forms 2F and 3F for that purpose; and,
     3. register to take the NCLEX-RN with Pearson Vue.

     30. I was educated and licensed as a physician outside the United States. Can I qualify for a New York State RN or LPN license using my physician credentials?