Indiana Nursing License Requirements 2026
Indiana licenses RNs and LPNs through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) and the Indiana State Board of Nursing. First-time applicants must graduate from an approved program and pass the NCLEX. Indiana joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2020, so a standard Indiana license can be upgraded to a compact license valid in other NLC states.
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Indiana’s RNs and LPNs are licensed by the Indiana State Board of Nursing, which operates under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). The PLA handles applications, renewals, and background checks. First-time applicants follow one of two paths: licensure by examination for new graduates, or licensure by endorsement for nurses already licensed in another state. Indiana joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) on July 1, 2020, so nurses who meet compact eligibility requirements can hold a single license valid in all participating NLC states.
Use the links below to jump to LPN requirements, RN requirements, endorsement, and renewal information.
- LPN license requirements in Indiana
- RN license requirements in Indiana
- Applying by endorsement (out-of-state nurses)
- Internationally educated nurses
- Nurse Licensure Compact in Indiana
- License renewal in Indiana
Select the Type of Nursing License You Are Seeking
- I am looking for Certified Nursing Aide Requirements in Indiana
- I am looking for Practical Nursing License Requirements in Indiana.
- I am looking for Registered Nursing License Requirements in Indiana.
- I am looking for Advanced Practice Nurse License Requirements in Indiana.
Nursing Scholarships and Financial Aid in Indiana
The Indiana Center for Nursing is the state’s nursing workforce organization. It maintains information on nursing scholarships and financial aid available to Indiana students and nurses. The Indiana State Nurses Association is the professional organization for the state’s RNs. The Indiana Practical Nurses Association supports LPNs in the state.
LPN Requirements in Indiana
LPN Education Requirements
The first step is completing an approved practical nursing program. Indiana approves LPN programs that are at least one calendar year in length and meet the Board’s content requirements. A list of approved programs is available on the PLA website. Don’t know how to choose a program? Read Choosing an LPN Program in Indiana for a breakdown of what to look for.
Applicants should review the current Indiana PLA application instructions regarding educational documentation requirements, including any supplemental credentials or certifications that may be required. For a look at the scope of practice and career outlook for Indiana LPNs, see Indiana LPN scope of practice and career outlook.
The Application Process
Students submit the application as they approach graduation. The exact timing depends on the school. The application must be notarized. A $50 fee is due with the application package. After the PLA receives the application, it will initiate a fingerprint-based criminal background check. The Board is legally prohibited from viewing criminal history for anyone except an applicant, so background check results are not kept on file. If a candidate’s background check predates the application, the process has to be repeated. A prior conviction won’t automatically disqualify a candidate, but the Board may require a personal appearance before making a decision.
Once the student completes all program requirements, the program director submits certification to the Indiana Board.
NCLEX-PN Exam
Candidates must register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE and pay the $200 testing fee. An Authorization to Test (ATT) is issued only after all required steps are complete, including the application, background check, and program certification. Once the ATT is in hand, the candidate can schedule at any Pearson VUE test center. The NCLEX-PN is administered year-round.
Results typically take a few weeks. Candidates who pass receive an email with their license number. Candidates who do not pass may apply for re-examination, which requires additional fees and a new background check.
RN Requirements in Indiana
RN Education Requirements
Indiana accepts both associate degree in nursing (ADN) and bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) graduates for initial RN licensure. A list of approved in-state programs is available on the PLA website. For a breakdown of accreditation criteria and how to evaluate programs, see RN Programs in Indiana. For the full path from education through licensure, see how to become an RN in Indiana.
The Application Process and NCLEX-RN
Students apply as they near the end of their program. Processing times may be longer during May through June and September through December, so applicants should plan accordingly. The application includes questions about legal and professional history. Any “yes” answers require an affidavit unless the candidate has previously applied to the Indiana Board and the facts haven’t changed.
The $50 application fee is submitted with the application. Fingerprints are required for a criminal background check after the PLA confirms receipt of the application. If anything is missing from the file, the candidate will receive an email notification. Candidates must also register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN and pay the $200 testing fee. The exam can be scheduled at any Pearson VUE site in Indiana or another state, but only after the ATT is issued.
Candidates who pass receive an email with their license number. Candidates who do not pass receive written notification and a retake application. The Indiana Board permits up to three examination attempts before requiring a personal appearance before the Board.
Out-of-State Nurses: Applying by Endorsement
Nurses licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction can apply by endorsement, provided they passed the NCLEX or its predecessor, the SBTPE. License verification is required for all healthcare licenses the nurse has held. For states that use the NURSYS database, verification can be completed online. For states that don’t use NURSYS, a paper verification form is required, which takes longer. In those cases, a temporary permit may be issued. The temporary permit costs an additional $10 and is valid for 90 days.
LPN candidates applying by endorsement must show graduation from an approved nursing program and passage of the NCLEX or SBTPE. Indiana does not accept state-constructed licensing exams.
Internationally Educated Nurses
Canadian applicants should consult the current Indiana PLA endorsement requirements directly, as accepted Canadian examination pathways have changed over time. Eligibility for endorsement depends on the specific exam the candidate passed and the jurisdiction of original licensure.
Nurses educated in other countries are eligible for endorsement only if they have already passed the NCLEX in another U.S. jurisdiction. Those who haven’t must first pass a qualifying exam through the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). All international applicants must provide license verification from the country where they earned their nursing degree. Transcripts must show the amount of time spent in theory and clinical education. Non-U.S. citizens must also provide USCIS documentation showing their eligibility to work in the United States.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in Indiana
Indiana implemented the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) on July 1, 2020. The NLC allows RNs and LPNs to hold a single multistate license that permits practice in Indiana and other participating NLC states, both in-person and via telehealth. Nurses with an active Indiana license can apply for a compact license through the PLA’s MyLicense portal. If applying for initial licensure, candidates can request the compact license on the initial application or add it after the standard license is issued.
Compact license eligibility has its own requirements, including residency in Indiana. Nurses who live in another NLC state may not hold an Indiana compact license.
License Renewal in Indiana
Indiana nursing licenses are renewed every two years through the PLA’s MyLicense online portal. All Indiana LPN and RN licenses expire on October 31. RN licenses expire in odd-numbered years. LPN licenses expire in even-numbered years. The renewal fee is $50. Late renewals require an additional $50 late fee.
Indiana does not require continuing education for RN or LPN license renewal. Licenses that expired less than 18 months ago can be renewed online. Licenses that expired more than 18 months ago require a paper application. Nurses whose licenses have lapsed for more than three years must submit a copy of an active license from another jurisdiction.
APRN renewal requirements are different. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including at least 8 hours of pharmacology, and must also renew their Controlled Substances Registration (CSR).
Resources
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indiana a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Indiana joined the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) on July 1, 2020. Nurses with an active Indiana license who meet compact eligibility requirements can apply for a multistate compact license through the PLA’s MyLicense portal.
How much does it cost to get a nursing license in Indiana?
The application fee for an LPN or RN license is $50, paid to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. The NCLEX exam fee is $200, paid directly to Pearson VUE at the time of registration. Out-of-state endorsement applicants who want a temporary permit pay an additional $10.
Does Indiana require continuing education to renew an RN or LPN license?
No. Indiana does not require continuing education for standard RN or LPN license renewals. APRNs with prescriptive authority are the exception and must complete 30 hours of CE, including 8 hours in pharmacology, every two years.
How many times can you take the NCLEX in Indiana?
Indiana allows up to three NCLEX attempts before requiring a candidate to appear before the Indiana State Board of Nursing. Each retake requires a new application and fees, as well as a new criminal background check.
Can an out-of-state nurse work in Indiana while waiting for a license?
Yes. Nurses applying for an Indiana license by endorsement may request a 90-day temporary permit. To qualify, the nurse must have at least one active license in another U.S. state or territory and a pending endorsement application with the Indiana Board.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana joined the NLC in 2020 — Indiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Nurses who meet compact eligibility requirements can hold a multistate license valid in all participating NLC states.
- Both ADN and BSN qualify for RN licensure — Indiana accepts graduates of approved associate degree and bachelor’s degree nursing programs for initial RN licensure.
- No CE required for RN or LPN renewal — Indiana does not require continuing education for RN or LPN license renewal. Licenses renew every two years by October 31, with RNs on odd years and LPNs on even years.
- Endorsement applicants may get a temp permit — Out-of-state nurses with at least one active license can apply for a 90-day temporary permit while the endorsement application is processed.
- Criminal background check is fingerprint-based — Indiana requires fingerprints for the background check. The check cannot precede the application, or it will need to be redone.
Find approved nursing programs in Indiana and review application requirements for the license type you’re pursuing.
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