Overview
The Rhode Island Department of Health’s mission is to prevent disease and protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Complete the application.
- Make a check or money order (in U.S. Funds only) for the application fee of $135.00 (for RN), or $45.00 (for LPN) payable to General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island and staple it to the upper left-hand corner of the first (Top) page of the application.
Note: This application fee is nonrefundable.
- Submit a recent passport type photograph.
- All applicants must apply to the Department of Attorney General (“AG”) for a national background check supported by fingerprints and a state background check. The report MUST be sent directly from the Department of Attorney General (“AG”) to the RI Board of Nursing. For information on this process, click here.
- Official transcript from the school of nursing must be submitted by the college/school/university, directly to the Board, at the address listed above. This transcript must include the date of program completion, graduation, and degree. An official transcript may be submitted with this application if it includes the items listed above and is attached to your application in a sealed envelope from the school. Note: Facsimiles will not be accepted.
- Foreign educated nurses are additionally required to complete the requirements of the CGFNS (Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools).
- 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 cashier’s 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 license exam.
Note: This should be done prior to you submitting your application.
- Complete all application materials as instructed and arrange them in the order listed on the application checklist (page 9). Do not submit the application without all applicable information, documentation and fee(s). Mail these components of the application to:
Rhode Island Department of Health
Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education
Room 103, 3 Capitol Hill
Providence, Rhode Island- 02908-5097
For more information about the examination process, click here.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Complete the application.
- Make a check or money order (in U.S. Funds only) for the application fee of $135.00 (for RN), or $45.00 (for LPN) payable to General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island and staple it to the upper left-hand corner of the first (Top) page of the application.
Note: This application fee is nonrefundable.
- Submit a recent passport type photograph.
- All applicants must apply to the Department of Attorney General (“AG”) for a national background check supported by fingerprints and a state background check. The report MUST be sent directly from the Department of Attorney General (“AG”) to the RI Board of Nursing. For information on this process, click here.
- Photo copy of an active, out-of-state license.
- Attach a copy of evidence of primary address (e.g. copy of driver’s license, tax return, etc.)
- Official transcript from the school of nursing must be submitted by the college/school/university, directly to the Board, at the address listed above. This transcript includes the date of completion, graduation, and degree. To be eligible for licensure in the State of Rhode Island, you must be a graduate of a nursing program. Note: Facsimiles will not be accepted.
- Submit verification of licensure from the board which issued your original licensure as well as from all other state boards where you have ever held a license.
- Foreign educated nurses are additionally required to complete the requirements of the CGFNS (Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools).
- Complete all application materials as instructed and arrange them in the order listed on the application checklist (page 9). Do not submit the application without all applicable information, documentation and fee(s). Mail these components of the application to:
Rhode Island Department of Health
Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education
Room 103, 3 Capitol Hill
Providence, Rhode Island- 02908-5097
For more information about endorsement, click here.
For more information visit the official State of Rhode Island Department of Health website.