Overview
The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, also known as DOPL, is one of seven agencies within the Utah Department of Commerce. DOPL is legislatively charged to administer and enforce specific laws related to the licensing and regulation of certain occupations and professions. The mission of DOPL is to protect the public and to enhance commerce through licensing and regulation.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Submit a completed application.
- Submit a $100.00 non-refundable application-processing fee, made payable to “DOPL”.
- Submit two sets of fingerprints to be used by DOPL for a fingerprint search through the files of the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
Note: Fingerprint services are available, with no additional charge for DOPL applicants, at DOPL’s office from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Applicants that arrive late in the day without leaving sufficient time to be processed may be turned away. Valid government issued ID (i.e. US Driver’s License, State ID, Passport or US Military ID) is required. If you are unable to obtain fingerprints at DOPL’s office, you must include 2 blue fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) with your application.
- Submit official transcripts documenting completion of a nursing program accredited by ACEN, CCNE or COA.
NOTE: Transcripts are considered “official” when they are sent directly from the school to DOPL or sealed in an envelope bearing the school’s stamp/seal on the envelope flap. Transcripts can be sent via secure email from your school’s registrar’s office to doplbureau7@utah.gov.
- If you are a foreign graduate, you must provide a CGFNS Certificate and CES Professional Report indicating your education is equivalent to an approved program. For more information contact CGFNS.
- Register with the testing agency before 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.
Note: You must register to take then NCLEX prior to submitting your application.
- Submit completed application and all required documents either:
In person or via express delivery:
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Heber M Wells Building, 1st Floor Lobby
160 E 300 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
By mail:
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
PO BOX 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Submit a completed application.
- Submit a $100.00 non-refundable application-processing fee, made payable to “DOPL”.
- Submit two sets of fingerprints to be used by DOPL for a fingerprint search through the files of the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
Note: Fingerprint services are available, with no additional charge for DOPL applicants, at DOPL’s office from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Applicants that arrive late in the day without leaving sufficient time to be processed may be turned away. Valid government issued ID (i.e. US Driver’s License, State ID, Passport or US Military ID) is required. If you are unable to obtain fingerprints at DOPL’s office, you must include 2 blue fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) with your application.
- Official verification of at least one active license equivalent to the classification requested in the application. Verification must include education and exam information.
- If you are a foreign graduate, you must complete either:
- Submit a CGFNS Certificate and CES Professional Report that indicates your education is equivalent to an approved program AND provide documentation that one of the following has been met within the last 5 years:
- Licensed practice as a nurse in the United States for a minimum of 960 hours;
- Graduation from an approved nursing program;
- Completion of a nationally recognized refresher course;
- You have qualified for and obtained a professional license upgrade. OR
- Provide documentation of licensed practice as a nurse in a US state or territory of the United States for a minimum of 6,000 hours.
- Submit completed application and all required documents either:
In person or via express delivery:
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Heber M Wells Building, 1st Floor Lobby
160 E 300 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
By mail:
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
PO BOX 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
For more information about getting a license, click here.
To view some FAQ about nursing, click here.
For more information visit the official Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing website.