Overview
The main objective of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency is to provide efficient and effective administrative support services to Indiana’s professional licensing boards and commissions in order to facilitate the delivery of competent consumer services by regulated professionals to the citizens of Indiana. To provide an expedient licensing process for regulated professionals by maintaining a climate that fosters the growth of commerce while ensuring the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Indiana.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) & Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Examination
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Complete the Indiana licensure application. Please type or print neatly with dark-colored ink.
- If you have not completed high school, a copy of your GED scores must accompany this application.
- Include a photograph, approximately 2 ½ x 3 ½ inches, head and shoulders view, black and white or color, of professional quality. The photograph must also be affixed with the school seal, the signature of the candidate, and signature of the Dean/Director/Designee on the lower front of the photograph.
- Submit this application and the documentation mentioned above, along with a check or money order in the amount of $50.00 for Registered Nurses and $50.00 for Practical Nurses (Fees are non-refundable) made payable to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, to:
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
402 West Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
- The NCLEX application and registration process must be completed according to the instructions in the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin. You may register by mail, telephone (1-866-496-2539), or The current fee for the NCLEX is $200.00 payable to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check or money order.
- Before taking the NCLEX-RN exam, submit certification of completion form to your nursing school for further completion of the form by the Designee/Dean/Director of the program of nursing. Send the completed form directly from the nursing school to the Board.
Note: The Board will not accept a certificate of completion form provided by parties other than the nursing program’s Dean, Director, or Designee.
- Submit verification from EVERY state, territory, and country in which you hold or have held a nursing license. Click here to see states that participate in NURSYS. You can register online.
- All other states not participating in NURSYS and countries must be sent a Verification of State Licensure Form to be completed by that respective state board and returned to our office. Please check with each state to see if there is a fee for this service. Verification needs to be sent from every state on which you hold or have ever held a nursing license.
- You must also provide verification of all health related licenses and certificates you hold or have held, including but not limited to CNA licenses, EMT certifications, etc.
- In case of name change, provide legal documents verifying your change in name.
- Candidates who require special accommodations or a modification of the normal examination procedures must notify the Board in writing when the application is filed and state the modification being requested. A letter from an appropriate health professional confirming the diagnosis of the disability or condition must also be submitted with the application, as well as a letter from the nursing program stating accommodations made by the program, if any. Candidates will be notified of the arrangements made by the Board.
- Graduates of foreign nursing schools must additionally provide a notarized copy or original transcripts verifying completion of graduation from your high school or secondary school to the Indiana Board.
- Provide verification of your licensure from the country or territory you were originally licensed.
- Send a notarized copy or original transcripts separated into clinical and theory hours or days from your nursing school to the Board.
- Submit proof of successfully completion of CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) exam, sent directly from the CGFNS to the Indiana Board.
For more information and instructions on becoming an RN or LPN by examination, click here.
Click here to view applicable fees.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) & Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- All applicants must mail a completed application along with the items listed below to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. If you have ever held a license as a nurse previously in Indiana, and are applying again for the same profession, please contact our office at (317)234-2043 or by e-mail at pla2@pla.in.gov to inquire about reactivating your previous license. Please type or print neatly with black or blue ink.
- Include a photograph, approximately 2 ½ x 3 ½ inches, head and shoulders view, black and white or color, of professional quality. Note: Polaroid type or laminated photographs will not be accepted. Please tape, rather than staple, the photo to the application. Please place your signature on the front of your photograph.
- Submit the $50.00 application fee made payable to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. Fees are non-refundable.
- Include proof of current, active licensure in another state (please include documentation of license expiration date). If you do not have an active license in another state, you will not be eligible for licensure by endorsement in Indiana.
- Enclose documentation of any legal name change if your name differs from that on any of your documents. Documentation may include a copy of your marriage license or divorce decree.
- Complete your Criminal Background Check after receiving notification from staff that your application has been received. Applicants who complete a criminal background check prior to their application being received will be required to complete another criminal background check.
- If your state of original licensure does not verify education of their applicants for other state boards of nursing you will need to provide official documentation of graduation from a state accredited program in nursing, provided directly to the Indiana State Board of Nursing from your nursing program. (Foreign graduates see Section B)
- Submit verification from EVERY state, territory, and country in which you hold or have held a nursing license. Your nursing license must be active in at least one state. Verification should be obtained by one of the following methods, which is your responsibility:
- NURSYS verification will be provided through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for every state that participates in NURSYS. You must submit a NURSYS verification form to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) for verification of any nursing license you hold or have ever held. Please see additional information regarding the NURSYS program and fees on the instruction sheet. Please register online at Nursys.com to verify any licenses ever held in any of the NURSYS participating states.
- Jurisdictions not using the NURSYS program need to be sent a Verification of State Licensure Form. They should return this form back to the Indiana Board of Nursing. Please check with each state to see if there is a fee for this service. Verification needs to be sent from every state that you hold or have ever held a license in.
Note: Your original state of licensure should verify that you have taken and passed the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE). You will not be eligible for licensure in Indiana if you have only taken a state constructed examination.
- For Graduates from Canada – In addition to the above requirements (described for the U.S. graduates), the applicants must submit the following:
- Official transcripts with inclusion of theory and clinical experience in all areas.
- Verification from your initial state of certification verifying that you have cleared any one of the following exams:
- NCLEX (National Council Licensing Examination)
- SBTPE (State Board Test Pool Examination)
- CNATS (The English version of the Canadian Nurses Examination)
Note: Provide official translation if your documents are not in English.
- For Foreign Nurse Graduates excluding Canada – In addition to the above requirements (mentioned for the U.S. graduates), the applicants must submit the following:
- Provide official transcripts from any of the CES (Credentials Evaluation Service), like CGFNS which must include the theory and clinical experience in all specific areas.
- Provide original document or notarized photocopy of official transcripts or high school diploma sent directly from the awarding entity or another nursing board.
Note: Provide official translation if your documents are not in English.
For more information and instructions on becoming an RN or LPN by endorsement, click here.
Click here to view applicable fees.
Click here to view some FAQ.
More information can be found on the official Indiana State Board of Nursing website.