A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in Vermont

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Vermont

Living in Vermont has year-round benefits: beautiful fall foliage leads to great winter skiing, while spring offers hiking and summer boasts beaches. Working nurses have easy access to these as well as good compensation. It all starts with getting your Vermont nursing license.

In this article, we will cover:

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

How to get your Vermont nursing license by examination

Step 1: Education

Whether you pursue your nursing degree at one of Vermont’s excellent nursing programs or in another state, your career begins with getting a solid education at an accredited school. There are several paths to becoming a registered nurse, including:

• 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.

Once you have earned your nursing degree, you’ll be ready to apply for a Vermont registered nurse license. 

Step 2: Apply

Vermont’s Office of Professional Regulation no longer accepts paper applications. All candidates seeking a registered nurse license must create an account and submit their application and application fee via the state’s online service platform. Registered nurse license applicants should indicate whether they intend to be a single state (SSL) nurse or if they are applying for compact privileges with a multistate license (MSL). 

Registered nurse candidates should also register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 exam fee to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

Step 3: Submit Transcripts

Registered nurse candidates who have completed a nursing program in the state of Vermont are not required to submit official transcripts.

Nurses who graduated from a nursing program in a state other than Vermont must submit a Verification of Education Form. After printing the form and completing the personal information and signature section at the top of the form, the candidate should send the form to their nursing education program. The school should send the completed verification form, signed, dated, and containing the school’s seal or stamp along with a copy of official transcripts, directly to the Vermont Board of Nursing by mail to:

Vermont Board of Nursing
89 Main Street, 3rd floor
Montpelier, VT 05620-3402

You can also send them by email to [email protected]

Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)

Vermont’s Board of Nursing requires that nursing licensees submit to a Criminal Background Check. Candidates should print and complete the release form, have it notarized, and upload it with their application. Upon receipt of the completed release form, the Office of Professional Regulation will email a Fingerprint Authorization Certificate. Candidates should then make an appointment to have their fingerprints taken and bring the printed Fingerprint Authorization Card with them. 

The completed Fingerprint Authorization Certificate must be sent to the Vermont Crime Information Center. Those having fingerprints taken in Vermont can find locations and other information here. Those having fingerprints taken outside of Vermont should contact a local law enforcement agency. Fingerprints should be sent to: 

Vermont Crime Information Center
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671

Step 5: Take the NCLEX

Once the Office of Professional Regulation has received all of your application materials, Pearson VUE will send you authorization to test for the NCLEX-RN exam. This test is the final step in your journey to licensure: it measures your knowledge of foundational nursing. The exam covers the following topics:

• 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 

Nurse licensure candidates in Vermont who do not pass the NCLEX-RN can retake the test once. Second failure of the NCLEX requires a nursing refresher course and reapplication to take the exam.

Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)

Registered nurses who are licensed in another state and who wish to become registered in Vermont must be licensed by endorsement. This process starts with creating an account and submitting their application and application fee via the state’s online service platform. A Fast Track Endorsement is available to licensed nurses who have been active and in good standing for three or more years preceding the time of their application. 

Verification of Licensure: Vermont requires nurses licensed in another state to provide Verification of Licensure for their original nursing license as well as the nursing license from their most recent state of nursing employment. Nurses whose licenses are from NURSYS-participating states can request this information be sent to Vermont via that service. Nurses whose states do not participate with NURSYS should fill out the top portion of this form and contact their Board of Nursing about completing it and mailing it to:

Vermont Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation
89 Main Street, 3rd Floor
Montpelier VT 05620-3402

Single State or Multi-State Licensure: Registered nurse license applicants should indicate whether they intend to be a single state (SSL) nurse or if they are applying for compact privileges with a multistate license (MSL). 

Criminal Background Check: Vermont’s Board of Nursing requires that nursing licensees submit to a Criminal Background Check. Candidates should print and complete the release form, have it notarized, and upload it with their application. Upon receipt of the completed release form, the Office of Professional Regulation will email a Fingerprint Authorization Certificate. Candidates should then make an appointment to have their fingerprints taken and bring the printed Fingerprint Authorization Card with them. 

The completed Fingerprint Authorization Certificate must be sent to the Vermont Crime Information Center. Those having fingerprints taken in Vermont can find locations and other information here. Those having fingerprints taken outside of Vermont should contact a local law enforcement agency. Fingerprints should be sent to: 

Vermont Crime Information Center
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671

How to renew your Vermont nursing license

Step 1: When to submit your renewal application

Vermont’s registered nursing licenses are good for two years and expire on March 31 of years ending in odd numbers. Renewal applications open 6 weeks prior to the expiration and a courtesy notification will be sent to the email address on file when your renewal opens.

The renewal fee for a registered nursing license is $190. Nurses whose initial licenses were issued 90 days or less from the March 31 renewal date will be granted through the next full two-year period. 

Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements

Vermont requires nurses seeking state license renewal to meet an active practice hour requirement. They must have worked at least 50 days (400 hours) in the last two years for paid compensation or 120 days (960 hours) in the last five years. If you cannot meet the active practice requirements you must complete a nursing re-entry program.  

Nurses who have not previously completed the Criminal Background Check requirement for their license will need to do so. 

Step 3: Submit your renewal application

As with initial applications, Vermont does not accept paper renewal applications. Renew your Vermont registered nurse license at this link.

Vermont nursing licensing fees

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Vermont whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Vermont from another state. For more information visit the Vermont licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX exam: $200
• Application fee: $60
• Fingerprint processing fee: $25

Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $150
• Fingerprint processing fee: $25

License renewal fee:

• Application fee: $95

Vermont became a nursing compact state on February 1, 2022, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses. Check the NCSBN site to stay updated.

*Fees are subject to change.

Continuing education requirements

RN/LPN: Renewal period is 2 years:

• 50 days (400 hours) every 2 years; or
• 120 days (960 hours) within 5 years of the end of the current licensing period

APRN: Renewal period is 2 years:

• Hold a current national certification by a national APRN specialty certifying organization ; and
• 50 days (400 hours) every 2 years; or
• 120 days (960 hours) within 5 years of the end of the current licensing period

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Vermont Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited. 

How to contact the Vermont Board of Nursing

Vermont Board of Nursing
Phone: (802) 828-1505

Office of Professional Regulation
Contact Form: https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/about-opr/contact-us/
Website: https://sos.vermont.gov/nursing/

89 Main Street
3rd Floor
Montpelier, VT 05620-3402

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