Overview
In order to safeguard life, health, and the public welfare of the people of New Hampshire and in order to protect the people of the state from the unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of services by individuals in the practice of nursing, it is necessary that a regulatory authority be established and adequately funded. To further this policy, the practice of nursing shall be regulated through the New Hampshire board of nursing, and said board shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Any persons who practice or offer to practice nursing or who represent themselves as registered nurses or licensed practical nurses without qualifying under this chapter endanger the public health.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Submit Fingerprint and Criminal Background Check. For instructions, click here.
Note: The New Hampshire Board of Nursing cannot complete the application process or issue a temporary license until they have received and reviewed your criminal records. The Board can only accept processed criminal record reports that are sent directly from the NH State Police.
- Submit completed application.
- Submit non- refundable licensure for examination application fee of $120.00 made payable to the “Treasurer, State of New Hampshire.”
- Complete the Declaration of Primary State of Residency form with attached copy of your Driver’s license.
- Request an official copy of your transcript from your nursing school to be sent to the Board office. Transcripts should be mailed directly from the school. The transcript must state the type of degree and date of graduation or conferral date.
- Submit the completed application, fees, and all the required documents to the following address:
State of New Hampshire
New Hampshire Board of Nursing
121 South Fruit Street
Concord, New Hampshire – 03301
- Register with the testing agency before or just after submitting the licensure application to take the licensure test, NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination). You may use any of the following ways to complete the registration:
- Register online. The registration fee of $200 can be paid via American Express, Visa, or MasterCard. OR
- By mail: You may request the Board of Nursing office to send an NCLEX registration form. Provide essential details in the form and include an appropriate fee of $200.00 in the form of a money order or cashiers check made payable to the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing). Mail it to the following address:
NCLEX Operations
Post Office Box 64950
St. Paul, Minnesota- 55164-0950
- When all your essential documents are approved, the Board will inform the testing agency, Pearson VUE, making you eligible to take the licensure exam.
- Pearson VUE will send you an ATT (Authorization to Test) via email or on the address provided by you during the registration process.
- Upon receiving the ATT, schedule the licensure exam.
- Applicants who have completed their graduation from foreign registered nurse education programs are required to submit official proof verifying successful completion of the CGFNS (Commission of Foreign Nursing Schools) examination or CGFNS complete course-by-course evaluation of credentials.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Submit Fingerprint and Criminal Background Check and provide the required fee of $49.75 made payable to: State of NH –Criminal Record. For instructions, click here.
Note: The New Hampshire Board of Nursing cannot complete the application process or issue a temporary license until they have received and reviewed your criminal records. The Board can only accept processed criminal record reports that are sent directly from the NH State Police.
- Submit completed application.
- Submit non- refundable licensure for examination application fee of $120.00 made payable to the “Treasurer, State of New Hampshire.”
- Complete the Declaration of Primary State of Residency form with attached copy of your Driver’s license.
- Complete 30 contact hours of conference, workshop, educational offering or lecture that improve nursing judgment, knowledge or skills within two years prior to submitting application.
- Use nursing knowledge, judgment and skills for a minimum of 400 hours within four years immediately prior to the date of this application. Request a reentry packet if you do not meet this qualification.
- If you have completed your education in Canada and took the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) in the US, you ought to provide the following documents:
- Submit a copy of an official transcript issued from your nursing school including the course description; or
- Submit evidence verifying completion of 200 hours of nursing practice during the past 2 years in the United States.
- Submit the completed application, fees, and all the required documents to the following address:
State of New Hampshire
New Hampshire Board of Nursing
121 South Fruit Street
Concord, New Hampshire – 03301
For more information visit the official New Hampshire Board of Nursing website.