Overview
The North Carolina Board of Nursing was founded in 1903, making it the first Board of Nursing in the nation. From its humble beginnings, the North Carolina Board of Nursing has grown to license more than 140,000 RNs and LPNs statewide. The mission of the North Carolina Board of Nursing is to protect the public by regulating the practice of nursing. The North Carolina Board of Nursing excels in advancing public protection in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Complete a member Board approved RN or LPN nursing education program.
- Complete the Nurse Gateway
- Complete Examination Application.
- Pay the non-refundable fee of $75 via credit or debit card: MasterCard or Visa, electronic check, money order, or certified check.
- Submit the NCBON Identification Document.
- 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
- All applicants must complete a criminal background check prior to the issuance of a license.
- Graduates of North Carolina Programs must have program directors submit verification electronically within 30 days of the program end date; no additional documents are required by the graduates.
- All out-of-state graduates must provide official transcript, including legal name (first & last), degree awarded, and date of conferral or completion. The official transcript must be mailed from your educational school to the following address:
NCBON
Exam Department
PO Box 2506
Raleigh, North Carolina- 27602-2506
- Graduates of international nursing education programs must complete a Credentials Evaluation Service (CES Professional Report) or provide a CGFNS Certificate or VisaScreen. English proficiency testing is required for many internationally educated nurse applicants.
To view some FAQ on examination, click here.
For more information about the examination process and requirements, click here.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Registered Nurses (RN) must show evidence of completion of a program of nursing education which was approved by the jurisdiction of original licensure.
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) must show evidence of completion of a program in practical nursing approved by the jurisdiction of original licensure; or course of study within a program shall be comparable to that required of practical nurse graduates in North Carolina.
- Successful completion of NCLEX or SBTPE.
- Self-certification of mental and physical health necessary to competently practice nursing.
- Unencumbered license in all jurisdictions in which a license is or has ever been held, including any occupational licensing board.
- Current license in a jurisdiction; if the license has been inactive or lapsed for five or more years, applicant must complete a Board approved refresher course.
- Completion of all court conditions resulting from any misdemeanor or felony convictions.
- Written explanation and all related documents if the nurse has been listed as a Nurse Aide with finding(s).
- Complete a Criminal Background Check.
- Complete endorsement application.
- Pay the non-refundable fee of $150.00 via credit or debit card: MasterCard or Visa.
- Verification of your original and current (if different from original) nursing license is required.
- If your state participates in Nursys, you can request verification through the Nursys website.
- If your state does not participate in Nursys, use verification forms provided on your confirmation page.
To view some FAQ on endorsement, click here.
For more information about the endorsement process and requirements, click here.
For more information visit the official North Carolina Board of Nursing website.
References:
http://www.ncbon.com/dcp/i/licensurelisting-nurse-gateway-nurse-gateway