A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in New York

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / New York

New York is generally acknowledged as one of the top states for registered nurses. It has top-notch schools, the world’s best medical care facilities, and a median salary significantly higher than what is paid in the rest of the country. If you are ready to apply for a nursing license in the state of New York, you’ll find all the information you need below. 

In this article, we will cover:

• How to get your New York nursing license
• How to get your license by endorsement
• How to renew your New York nursing license
• Licensing fees
• Continuing education requirements
• How to contact the New York Board of Nursing
• FAQs

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How to get your New York nursing license

Step 1: Education

New York has more than 150 accredited nursing programs that offer an assortment of nursing degrees that lead to licensure as a registered nurse. These include:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.

If you graduated from a nursing school outside of New York State, you’ll need to go to the New York State Education Department and complete an approved Infection Control Course and a Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Course.

You may qualify for an exemption from New York’s child abuse reporting coursework requirement if you can demonstrate that during your nursing practice, you will not have contact with individuals under the age of 18 or residents of nursing homes or residential care schools. Similarly, you may qualify for an exemption from New York’s infection control coursework requirement if you can show that you took infection control training equivalent to the state’s required coursework or that the coursework is not necessary due to the nature of your nursing practice.

Step 2: Apply

New York is one of the few states that include good moral character in its list of requirements for licensure and registration as a nurse. Beyond that, candidates must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Must have graduated from a nursing education program registered with the New York State Education Department as license qualifying for RN or a nursing education program located in another state or U.S. Territory if approved by the licensing authority of that state or territory as preparation for practice as an RN
• Must have completed specific coursework relating to child abuse reporting and infection control 
• Must have passed the NCLEX-RN  

Successfully meeting and documenting all these criteria along with submission of the $143 fee and application will lead to a license being issued. 

Graduates of nursing programs registered with the state and who have never been licensed as a registered nurse should submit the application for licensure and fee.

In addition to a credit card, you will need your Application ID, Social Security Number, and date of birth to access your application. Additional documentation can be sent via this link.  

Applicants for a registered nurse licensure can request a limited permit if they are nursing school graduates, have applied for both licensure and the limited permit, and have met all requirements for licensure as an RN in New York State except for having taken the NCLEX-RN. The fee is $35 and the permit is valid for up to one year or until ten days after notification of having failed the NCLEX-RN.

Step 3: Transcripts

If you graduated from a nursing program in a state other than New York, complete Section I of a Certification of Professional Education (Form 2) and send it to your nursing school and ask that they complete Section II. Your school must verify your nursing education on Form 2 and then send it directly to NYSED. Form 2 must be signed by the registrar or accompanied by a transcript signed by the registrar.

Official transcripts must be sent directly by the nursing school to:

New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
Division of Professional Licensing Services
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234-1000 

Step 4: Criminal Record Check 

New York State does not require fingerprinting or background checks as a condition for obtaining a nursing license. The state relies on applicants’ truthful disclosure of past misconduct. 

Step 5: Complete Coursework

The state of New York requires that nursing applicants complete approved child abuse reporting coursework, which have been included in the curriculum of all state-registered programs since 1990, and an approved infection control course. The infection control courses are included in all state-approved programs but must be retaken every four years.

Step 6: Take the NCLEX

Nursing licensure applicants should register for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) test directly on the website or by calling 1-866-496-2539. Pearson will send you your authorization to take the test electronically.

If you do not pass the NCLEX-RN, you must wait 45 days before scheduling another exam. The NCLEX consists of 75-145 questions, which will cover topics including:

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Management of Care  
• Safety and Infection Control 
• Health Promotion and Maintenance 
• Psychosocial Integrity 
• Physiological Integrity 
• Basic Care and Comfort 
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 
• Physiological Adaptation

Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)

If your RN license was issued by another state, you must complete a state-approved Infection Control Course and a Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Course from an approved provider.  Next steps are:

• Complete and submit the state’s Application for Licensure-RN
• Have their nursing school verify their education by completing Section I of a Certification of Professional Education. This form should be sent to:

New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions 
Division of Professional Licensing Services
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234-1000

• Have your out-of-state nursing license verified by Nursys, asking them to complete the verification and send it to the New York State Education Department. 

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How to renew your New York nursing license

Step 1. Submit renewal application

Once your New York license has been issued it is valid for life, but the state’s registration certificate needs to be renewed every three years. In the final five months of your current registration period, the state will send a renewal notice that contains a Personal Identification Number (PIN). You’ll need the PIN to log onto the renewal site.

Step 2. Fulfill continuing competency requirements

The state of New York requires registered nurses to complete infection control coursework every four years. 

Step 3. Submit your renewal application

The state’s registration renewal site requires your license number and your PIN to log in. Renewal fee is $73. The second registration period will be less than three years as the expiration date is adjusted to coincide with the month before your birth date in order to make the future triennial renewal process easier and more predictable. 

Licensing fees

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in New York. These are applicable whether you’re a first-time nurse or are moving to New York from another state. For more information, visit the New York licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX fee: $200
• Application fee: $143

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $143 (RN/LPN); $85 (NP)

License renewal fee:

• Application fee: $73 (RN/LPN); $35 (APRN)

*Fees are subject to change.

**Most states require a background check, but prices are not always listed.

New York continuing education requirements

RNs and APRNs need the following continuing education:

• Three contact hours in Infection Control at initial licensure and every four years thereafter
• One-time requirement of two hours in Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
• APRNs must maintain national certification

LPNs only need to complete three contact hours in Infection Control at initial licensure and every four years thereafter. 

Nurses who are authorized to prescribe controlled substances are required to complete at least three hours of training in pain management, palliative care, and addiction every three years. Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The New York State Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC-accredited.

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How to contact the New York Board of Nursing

New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
State Board of Nursing
Phone: (518) 474-3817, Press 1 then ext. 120
Fax: (518) 474-3706
Email: eservices.nysed.gov/professions/contact-us/#
Website: op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse
Address:
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234-1000

More New York Resources

• Best hospitals in the state
• Average salary for RNs in the state