Nevada Nursing License Requirements 2026
The Nevada State Board of Nursing licenses RNs and LPNs through two paths: by examination for new graduates and by endorsement for nurses licensed in other states. Nevada doesn’t participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a compact license from another state doesn’t cover Nevada practice. Both credential types require a board-approved program and the applicable NCLEX exam.
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The Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN) handles all RN and LPN licensing in the state. New graduates apply by examination. Nurses already licensed in another U.S. state apply by endorsement. Nevada is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so endorsement is required regardless of your current license type. For CNA certification or APRN/NP licensure, see the separate pages for Nevada CNA Requirements and Nevada APRN/NP Requirements.
Use the links below to jump to licensing requirements, application steps, and renewal information.
- LPN licensing and application requirements
- RN licensing and application requirements
- License renewal and continuing education
- Nevada nursing organizations
LPN Requirements in Nevada
LPN Education
Candidates must complete a practical nursing program approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing. Approved in-state programs are listed on the Board’s website. Additional program options are covered in the LPN Programs in Nevada article. For an overview of the LPN role and career settings in the state, see Practical Nursing in Nevada.
The LPN Application Process
When a Nevada program graduate completes training, the school sends an affidavit of completion to the Board. That document qualifies the candidate for an Interim Permit, which allows them to begin working before permanent licensure is issued. Official transcripts must be submitted separately to complete the record.
A fingerprint-based criminal background check is required. Candidates who request an application packet receive a fingerprint card in the mail. Those who download the application from the Board’s website receive the card later. Electronic capture is also available at Nevada Live Scan facilities.
Candidates must register with Pearson VUE to sit for the NCLEX-PN. The Pearson registration fee is $200. The NSBN application fee for LPN licensure by examination is $90. Verify current fees on the Nevada State Board of Nursing website before applying, as amounts are subject to change. Once eligibility is confirmed, the Board issues an Authorization to Test (ATT). Candidates choose their own testing location from available Pearson centers.
Permanent licensure is issued after the Board receives both satisfactory NCLEX-PN results and a cleared background check. Nevada doesn’t mail paper licenses. License status can be confirmed through the Board’s online license verification tool.
Out-of-State and International LPNs
An LPN already licensed in another U.S. state applies by endorsement. The first step is requesting license verification from the original state of licensure. A verification form is available on the NSBN website. In many cases, this can be completed through Nursys.com. The LPN endorsement application fee is $95. Fingerprinting is also required, using the agency-issued card.
Once documentation is received and eligibility confirmed, the Board issues an Interim Permit so the applicant can begin work while the background check is pending. There’s no additional fee for the Interim Permit.
Internationally educated LPNs must complete a credential evaluation through CGFNS before they can be authorized to take the NCLEX-PN in Nevada. Most international applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency through either the TOEFL or the Pearson Test of English Academic. Candidates who received nursing education in an English-speaking country are generally exempt. The NSBN’s list of exempted countries includes Barbados, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad, Tobago, the United Kingdom, and most of Canada. Contact the Board directly to confirm your eligibility before applying.
RN License Requirements in Nevada
RN Education
To qualify for RN licensure in Nevada, candidates must graduate from a nursing program approved by the NSBN. The program doesn’t have to be in-state. Nevada accepts graduates of both ADN and BSN programs for initial licensure. A list of approved Nevada programs is available on the Board’s website, with additional details in RN Programs in Nevada. For a broader look at RN career paths in Nevada, including roles and employment settings, see the dedicated RN guide.
The RN Application Process
Several steps run in parallel during the application process. A criminal background check is required for all candidates. Those who request an application packet from the Board receive a fingerprint card with it. Those who download the application online receive the card later. Electronic fingerprint capture is available at Nevada Live Scan facilities. Fingerprint results can take up to four months to arrive from the Department of Public Safety and the FBI, so candidates should arrange this step as early as possible to avoid delays in permanent licensure.
Exam registration is handled separately through Pearson VUE. The Pearson registration fee is $200. The NSBN application fee for RN licensure by examination is $100. Verify current fees on the Nevada State Board of Nursing website before applying, as amounts are subject to change. After the Board confirms eligibility, the candidate receives an ATT and can schedule the NCLEX-RN at any Pearson testing center.
A Nevada program graduate who submits an affidavit of completion can receive an Interim Permit relatively quickly. The IP is valid for a limited period and is invalidated if the candidate fails the first NCLEX-RN attempt. For graduates of out-of-state programs, an affidavit alone is insufficient. Official transcripts must be issued directly by the program. Permanent licensure requires both passing the NCLEX and a cleared background check.
NCLEX results are available from Pearson VUE sooner than official Board notification for a small additional fee, though this doesn’t change the actual licensing timeline. Nevada doesn’t mail paper licenses. Nurses verify their status through the Board’s online tool.
Out-of-State and International RNs
An RN who passed the NCLEX or state pool exam in another jurisdiction can apply for a Nevada license by endorsement. License verification must come from the state where the candidate was originally licensed. The RN endorsement application fee is $105, plus $51.25 for fingerprint processing. Candidates should arrange fingerprinting early, as processing times vary and can be lengthy. An Interim Permit can be issued to allow the applicant to work in Nevada while the background check is pending.
Internationally educated RNs must complete the CGFNS credential evaluation process before they can be authorized to take the NCLEX in Nevada. Most international applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency through either the TOEFL or the Pearson Test of English Academic. Candidates who received nursing education in an English-speaking country may be exempt. Contact the Nevada State Board of Nursing directly to confirm your eligibility before applying.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Nevada nursing licenses renew every two years. Renewal applications are submitted online through the Nevada Nurse Portal and should be completed within 60 days of the license expiration date. There’s no grace period for late renewals. The renewal fee is $100. Licenses renewed after the expiration date carry an additional $100 late fee.
Nevada also requires that nurses have actively practiced nursing or passed the NCLEX within the previous five years at the time of renewal.
After the first renewal cycle following initial licensure, nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years. Current CE requirements include:
- At least 4 hours in cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion per cycle (increased from 2 hours by AB 267, enacted during the 2023 legislative session)
- A one-time 4-hour bioterrorism training course required by the Nurse Practice Act
- Beginning January 1, 2024, nurses who provide or supervise emergency medical services in a hospital or primary care setting must complete at least 2 hours of CE relating to HIV stigma and discrimination within two years of starting that role
CE requirements have been updated in recent legislative sessions. Verify current requirements directly with the Nevada State Board of Nursing or through the Nurse Portal before your renewal date.
Nursing Organizations in Nevada
The Nevada State Board of Nursing is the regulatory body responsible for issuing and renewing RN and LPN licenses, approving nursing programs, and handling disciplinary matters. License verification is available directly on the Board’s website.
The Nevada Nurses Association (NNA) is the professional membership organization for Nevada nurses. The NNA offers advocacy, professional resources, and information about nursing scholarships available in the state. Membership is not tied to licensure requirements.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nevada a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No. Nevada doesn’t participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). A multi-state compact license from another state doesn’t authorize practice in Nevada. Nurses licensed elsewhere must apply for a Nevada license by endorsement through the NSBN before practicing in the state.
How long does it take to get a Nevada nursing license?
The main variable is the fingerprint background check, which can take up to 4 months for results from the Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Most applicants receive an Interim Permit before permanent licensure is complete, allowing them to begin working while the process continues. Applications are valid for 12 months. If the application is still incomplete after that point, it’s discarded, and the applicant must reapply and pay the fee.
What are the continuing education requirements for Nevada nurses?
After their first renewal cycle, Nevada nurses must complete 30 contact hours of CE every two years. This includes at least 4 hours in cultural competency per renewal cycle (updated by AB 267 in 2023) and a one-time 4-hour bioterrorism course. Renewal is completed online through the Nevada Nurse Portal within 60 days of license expiration. Verify current requirements with the NSBN before your renewal date, as requirements have changed in recent legislative sessions.
How does the Nevada nursing license endorsement work?
Nurses licensed in another U.S. state apply by endorsement to the NSBN. The process requires license verification from the original state of licensure, a fingerprint-based background check, and payment of the endorsement application fee ($105 for RNs, $95 for LPNs, plus $51.25 for fingerprint processing). An Interim Permit is typically issued while the background check clears, allowing candidates to work before the process is complete.
What do internationally educated nurses need to get licensed in Nevada?
International applicants must complete a CGFNS credential evaluation before they can be authorized to take the NCLEX in Nevada. Most must also demonstrate English proficiency through the TOEFL or the Pearson Test of English Academic. Candidates who completed nursing education in an English-speaking country may be exempt from the language requirement. Contact the Nevada State Board of Nursing to confirm your situation before beginning the application process.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada is not a compact state. A multi-state NLC license doesn’t cover practice in Nevada. Nurses licensed elsewhere must apply by endorsement through the NSBN.
- Two application paths exist. New graduates apply by examination. Nurses already licensed in another U.S. state apply by endorsement. Requirements and fees differ between paths.
- Fingerprinting takes time. Background check results can take up to four months. Arrange fingerprinting early to avoid delays. An Interim Permit lets most applicants work while waiting.
- Renewal is every two years. Nevada nurses renew online through the Nurse Portal within 60 days of expiration and must complete 30 CE hours per cycle, including 4 hours of cultural competency.
- International applicants need a CGFNS evaluation. Credential evaluation through CGFNS is required before internationally educated nurses can sit for the NCLEX in Nevada.
Find approved RN and LPN programs in Nevada, along with application links and program details for your credential level.