How to Get a Nursing License in Georgia 2026
Georgia licenses registered nurses and licensed practical nurses through the Georgia Board of Nursing, which operates under the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards division. Both RNs and LPNs complete a board-approved program, pass the NCLEX, and submit a background check. Georgia is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), so a Georgia multistate license is valid in all other compact states.
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The Georgia Board of Nursing handles all RN and LPN initial licensure, endorsement applications, and renewals. The process differs slightly by license type, but the core sequence is the same: complete an approved program, pass a background check, and pass the national licensing exam. This page covers both license types, what out-of-state nurses need to know about endorsement, and how renewal works once you’re licensed.
Use the links below to jump to LPN requirements, RN requirements, endorsement, renewal, or licensing resources.
- LPN license requirements in Georgia
- RN license requirements in Georgia
- Out-of-state nurses: licensure by endorsement
- License renewal requirements
- Georgia and the Nurse Licensure Compact
- Georgia nursing resources
LPN License Requirements in Georgia
LPN Education
To qualify for LPN licensure in Georgia, you must graduate from a board-approved practical nursing program. The Georgia Board of Nursing maintains a list of approved programs on its website at sos.ga.gov. Programs approved by other state nursing boards are generally acceptable if their requirements meet Georgia’s standards.
For guidance on selecting an LPN program, see LPN programs in Georgia. For information on the scope of practice and career options, see LPN requirements in Georgia.
NCLEX-PN
After graduating, LPN candidates must pass the NCLEX-PN administered by Pearson VUE. Georgia does not issue temporary licenses to exam candidates, so most graduates begin the application process immediately after completing the program. If a candidate doesn’t pass on the first attempt, the Board issues an application for re-examination. Candidates must wait 45 days between attempts. Verify the current exam attempt window directly with the Georgia Board of Nursing, as these timelines are subject to change.
Background Check and Application
Background checks are processed through GAPS/Idemia. Candidates should register with GAPS/Idemia on the same day they submit their application. Registering early avoids processing delays. Fee schedules change periodically. Verify current application and examination fees on the Georgia Board of Nursing’s website.
RN License Requirements in Georgia
RN Education Requirements
Georgia accepts graduates from both traditional and nontraditional professional nursing programs. Traditional applicants hold an ADN or BSN from a board-approved school. Nontraditional programs are designed for LPNs and those with military training as paramedics or medical corpsmen. Applicants from nontraditional programs who don’t have sufficient pre-licensure clinical experience may need to complete a preceptorship. The length depends on how much experience they have and how recent it was. Review current nontraditional program requirements on the Georgia Board of Nursing’s RN licensure guide.
For information on selecting a program, see RN programs in Georgia. Once licensed, see RN career paths in Georgia for information on specialties and employment options.
RN Licensing Process
The RN licensing process in Georgia involves several steps that must be completed in the right order. Start by registering with GAPS/Idemia for the background check. The Georgia Board of Nursing notes that candidates should register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN promptly after submitting their application to avoid processing delays.
Applications for initial licensure by examination are completed online through the Board’s website. Official transcripts are required. Processing times vary depending on application volume and completeness. Candidates who don’t pass the NCLEX-RN must reapply to the Georgia Board before retesting. Verify the current exam attempt window with the Georgia Board of Nursing.
RN License Types: ADN vs. BSN
Georgia accepts both ADN and BSN graduates for initial RN licensure. The license itself is the same regardless of which path you took, but the educational difference matters for career advancement. Many hospitals now prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses, and BSN completion is typically required for enrollment in master’s-level nursing programs. If you’re deciding between the two, see CNA requirements in Georgia for an entry-level starting point, or review the advanced practice nursing requirements in Georgia if you’re already thinking further ahead.
Out-of-State Nurses: Licensure by Endorsement
LPN Endorsement
LPNs licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction can apply for licensure by endorsement in Georgia. There is a practice requirement: candidates generally need documented hours of paid LPN practice earned within the preceding years. A grace period may apply for recent graduates or newly licensed nurses. The exact hour thresholds and exemption windows are subject to change. Verify current endorsement requirements on the Georgia Board of Nursing’s LPN licensure guide. Candidates who don’t meet the practice requirement must complete a board-approved refresher or re-entry course taken within five years of their application date. The required length depends on how long the nurse has been out of active practice.
Endorsement applications require license verification. If the issuing state participates in Nursys, candidates complete the Nursys verification process and designate Georgia as the recipient. If the state doesn’t participate in Nursys, candidates contact that state’s Board directly to request verification be sent to the Georgia Board of Nursing. The endorsement application fee for LPNs is $75.
RN Endorsement
RN endorsement candidates must meet a practice hour requirement. A grace period applies for recent graduates. As with LPN endorsement, these thresholds are subject to Board revision. Verify the current requirements on the Georgia Board of Nursing’s RN licensure guide. Candidates who don’t meet the practice requirement must complete a board-approved re-entry program. License verification is conducted through Nursys, where available, or directly with the issuing state board.
International Nurses
Nurses educated outside the United States must have their education evaluated for equivalency. Candidates must also demonstrate English language proficiency. The Georgia Board of Nursing accepts several tests to satisfy the English proficiency requirement. Contact the Board directly for the current list of accepted tests and evaluation agencies.
License Renewal Requirements
Georgia nursing licenses renew every two years. The renewal deadlines differ by license type: RN and APRN licenses must be renewed by January 31 of the renewal year. LPN licenses are renewed by March 31 of even-numbered years. The Board sends reminders approximately 60 days before expiration, but it’s the nurse’s responsibility to track their renewal date and meet all requirements on time. Renewal is completed online. Late renewals incur an additional fee.
Continuing Education for Renewal
Georgia gives nurses flexibility in meeting the continuing education requirement. To renew, each nurse must satisfy one of five options: complete 30 contact hours of approved CE, document 500 hours of nursing practice during the renewal period, maintain an active nursing certification, complete an approved academic nursing program, or complete an approved re-entry program. Verify current renewal fees on the Georgia Board of Nursing’s website.
Georgia and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Georgia is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which allows RNs and LPNs who meet multistate licensing requirements to practice across compact states without obtaining additional licenses. Most U.S. states participate in the compact. Check nursecompact.com for the current list. This is particularly relevant for travel nurses and those practicing telehealth across state lines.
If Georgia is your primary state of residence, you hold a multistate license and can renew it in Georgia. If Georgia is not your primary state of residence, renew your compact license in your home state and obtain individual state licenses in any non-compact states where you practice.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Georgia Nursing Resources
- Georgia Board of Nursing
- Georgia Board of Nursing: RN Licensure How-To Guide
- Georgia Board of Nursing: LPN Licensure How-To Guide
- Georgia Nurses Association
- CNA Requirements in Georgia
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Requirements in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia a compact nursing state?
Yes. Georgia joined the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which allows RNs and LPNs who reside in Georgia to hold a multistate license valid in all other compact states. If you’re relocating to Georgia from another compact state, check whether your license transfers or requires a new application.
How long does it take to get a Georgia nursing license?
Processing times vary depending on application volume and the completeness of your submission. The most common cause of delays is submitting an incomplete application — missing transcripts, a pending background check registration, or not yet being registered with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX. Submitting all required documents together at the time of application avoids most holdups. Check the Georgia Board of Nursing’s website for current processing estimates.
What are the continuing education requirements for Georgia RN license renewal?
Georgia RNs must satisfy one of five renewal options every two years: 30 contact hours of approved CE, 500 hours of nursing practice, maintenance of an active nursing certification, completion of an approved academic nursing program, or completion of an approved re-entry program. RN licenses are renewed by January 31 of the renewal year.
Can I get a Georgia nursing license if I was educated outside the United States?
Yes, but there are additional steps. Internationally educated nurses must have their credentials evaluated for educational equivalency and must demonstrate English language proficiency through an accepted test. Contact the Georgia Board of Nursing directly for the current list of approved evaluation agencies and accepted language proficiency tests.
What is the Georgia nursing license renewal fee?
The Georgia Board of Nursing sets renewal fees, which are subject to change periodically. Check the current fee schedule on the Board’s website at sos.ga.gov. Late renewals incur an additional fee. Renewals are completed online.
Key Takeaways
- OneBoardd, two license types — The Georgia Board of Nursing licenses both RNs and LPNs. Both require a board-approved program, the NCLEX, and a background check through GAPS/Idemia.
- Georgia is a compact state — Georgia participates in the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), allowing eligible nurses to practice in other compact states.
- Endorsement requires practice hours — Out-of-state LPNs and RNs applying by endorsement must meet a practice hour requirement or complete a re-entry program. Verify the current thresholds with the Georgia Board of Nursing.
- Renewal is flexible — Georgia offers five ways to satisfy the CE requirement, including practice hours and active certification — not just contact hours.
- Register early to avoid delays — Candidates who register with Pearson VUE before the Board reviews their application avoid the most common source of processing holdups.
Select your state below to find approved RN and LPN programs, licensing requirements, and application steps for your jurisdiction.