Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it’s big on beautiful beaches, top quality education, and affordable housing. The state enjoys all four seasons and is home to some of the nation’s most famous festivals and highly respected colleges.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your Rhode Island nursing license by exam
- How to get your license by endorsement
- How to renew your Rhode Island nursing license
- Licensing fees
- Continuing education requirements
- How to contact the Rhode Island Board of Nursing
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How to get your Rhode Island nursing license by examination
Step 1: Education
The entire time you were pursuing your nursing degree, you were working towards this moment: the time when you’d be ready to apply for your nursing license. Whether you attended school in Rhode Island or in another state, the education you received is the key to your future career.
- 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.
Step 2: Apply
The state of Rhode Island uses an online license application process. Applicants for a registered nurse license by examination begin by registering and creating a user ID and password on the State Department of Health’s online services page, then proceeding to complete the application and paying the $135 registered nurse application fee. You will be able to submit most documents via email to [email protected] or mail them to:
Department of Health
Three Capitol Hill – Room 103
Providence, RI 02908-5097
The requirements for licensure are: proof of Rhode Island residency in the form of a driver’s license, tax return, or lease containing a Rhode Island address; official transcripts; background check with fingerprints.
You will also need to register to take the NCLEX exam, which you can do at this website or by phone at 866-263-9600. There is a $200 registration fee.
Step 3: Submit Official Transcripts
Rhode Island does not accept e-transcripts. Applicants must have official transcripts sent directly from their school of nursing to the Department of Health, and transcripts must include graduation date and degree conferred. Ask your school to send your transcripts to:
Department of Health
Three Capitol Hill – Room 103
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)
Your criminal background check will be conducted by the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General. To arrange for this check, you will need to print out the fingerprint form found on this page under the National Background Check tab and bring it in to the Customer Service Center at:
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920.
The fee is $35.
Out-of-state applicants can download the forms found on the same page and submit with fingerprints to the Office of the Attorney General. This process includes printing out and completing a fingerprint form, signing a release/disclaimer form and having it notarized, and sending it along with the BCI Certification of Fingerprints form that has been completed by the agency that fingerprinted you. You will also need to submit a copy of a valid form of photo identification and a check for $35.00. Mail the packet to:
Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
Attn: Fingerprint Department
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
Step 5: Take the NCLEX
Once all of your materials have been submitted to the Department of Health in support of your application, notification will be sent to Pearson VUE of your eligibility and they will email you an Authorization to Test. Taking and passing the NCLEX exam is the final step for licensure. The test reviews the most important material that you covered during your nursing education to ensure that you have learned it and retained it. Topics include:
- 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
Once you have completed the application process and all supporting material has been submitted and approved, the Rhode Island Board of Nursing will notify Pearson VUE that you are eligible to take the exam and you will receive an Authorization to Test via email.
Passing the NCLEX will lead to the state issuing you a license card. If you do not pass the NCLEX you can retake the test. Doing so requires reregistering with Pearson VUE and paying the $200 fee. You can take the test at any time once 45 days have passed since your last exam date.
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Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
Registered nurses who are licensed in another state and who wish to become licensed in Rhode Island must apply for licensure by endorsement. The requirements include:
- Proof of Rhode Island residency in the form of a copy of your driver’s license, tax return, or lease, which must indicate a Rhode Island address.
- Background check with fingerprints conducted by the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General. To arrange for this, print out the fingerprint form found on this page under the National Background Check tab and bring the completed form with a $35 fee to the Customer Service Center at:
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920- If you are out of state, download the forms found on the same page and submit your fingerprints to the Office of the Attorney General. This process includes printing out and completing a fingerprint form, signing a release/disclaimer form and having it notarized, and sending it along with the BCI Certification of Fingerprints form that has been completed by the agency that fingerprinted you. You will also need to submit a copy of a valid form of photo identification and a check for $35. Mail the packet to:
Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
Attn: Fingerprint Department
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
- License verification. If the state where you held a license participates with the NURSYS process then submit a request for verification to be sent to Rhode Island’s Department of Health. Nurses holding licenses at non-NURSYS-participating states need to print out an Interstate Verification form, complete it, and request that the licensing authority in your state use it to verify your license. This form should be sent to:
Department of Health
Three Capitol Hill – Room 103
Providence, RI 02908-5097
How to renew your Rhode Island nursing license
Step 1: When to submit your renewal application
Rhode Island’s nursing licenses are renewed every two years. The fee is $135 and renewal notices are sent out 60 days before the expiration date.
Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements
Renewal of your Rhode Island registered nursing license requires completion of 10 continuing education hours during every two-year licensing cycle. Of the 10 hours, 2 must be about substance abuse. Additionally, every nurse must complete one hour during their career of CEU training regarding Alzheimer’s disease.
Nurses in Rhode Island can earn free continuing education units on Incredible Health’s website. Once you’ve taken a course, you can immediately access a certificate of course completion for your records.
Step 3: Submit your renewal application
Registered nursing license renewals are processed on the state’s website.
Rhode Island nursing licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Rhode Island whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Rhode Island from another state. For more information visit the Rhode Island licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX exam fee: $200
- Application fee: $135 (RN); $45 (LPN)
- National criminal background check fee: $35
Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $135 (RN); $45 (LPN); $145 (APRN)
- APRN: CSR registration: $200
- Temporary permit: $135 (RN); $45 (LPN); $145 (APRN)
- National criminal background check fee: $35
License renewal fees:
- Application fee: $135 (RN); $45 (LPN); $145 (APRN); $80 (APRN, no Rx authority)
Rhode Island legislation is pending for becoming a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses. Check the NCSBN site to stay updated.
*Fees are subject to change.
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Continuing education requirements
RN: 10 contact hours every 2 years (2 hours must be in substance abuse)
LPN: 10 contact hours every 2 years (2 hours must be in substance abuse)
APRN: 10 contact hours every 2 years (2 hours must be in substance abuse; maintain national certification)
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
How to contact the Rhode Island Board of Nursing
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education
Phone: (401) 222-5700
or (401) 222-5960
Fax: (401) 222-3352
Website: https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=231
Department of Health
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
