Nursing License Requirements in Arizona
The Arizona State Board of Nursing licenses RNs and LPNs by examination for new graduates or by endorsement for nurses already licensed in another state. Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so an Arizona license carries multistate privileges for nurses whose primary residence is Arizona. Both license types require completing a board-approved program and passing the NCLEX.
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The Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) oversees licensing for registered and practical nurses in the state. Arizona is also a full-practice state for nurse practitioners, and CNA certification falls under the same board. If you’re looking for requirements outside of RN and LPN licensing, see CNA requirements in Arizona or APRN requirements in Arizona.
Use the links below to jump to LPN and RN requirements, application steps, renewal information, and professional organizations.
- LPN license requirements in Arizona
- RN license requirements in Arizona
- License renewal in Arizona
- Professional organizations and resources
LPN License Requirements in Arizona
LPN Education Requirements in Arizona
Practical nursing candidates must complete a state-approved certificate or diploma program before applying for licensure. The AZBN maintains a current list of approved programs on its website. Fingerprinting and CPR certification are typically required for program admission, and many programs require a skills test (such as the HESI) and a drug screen before the clinical portion begins.
To find a board-approved program, check the list of approved programs on the AZBN site. Read more about LPN programs in Arizona to make sure you’re on the right track before enrolling.
LPN Application Process
Students can apply to the AZBN during the final two months of their program. The application is available on the AZBN licensing page, and the packet includes a checklist and estimated processing timeframe.
Arizona programs verify educational completion directly with the Board. Candidates from out-of-state programs submit official transcripts instead. All applicants must document lawful presence in the state. Application and fingerprinting fees are set by the AZBN and updated periodically. Check current amounts on the AZBN fee schedule before applying. The Board mails a fingerprint card after receiving the application. Candidates must use that card rather than a third-party card.
NCLEX-PN Exam
Candidates must also register with Pearson VUE, the company that administers the NCLEX-PN, and pay the current exam registration fee. Once the AZBN authorizes a candidate to test, they can schedule an exam appointment at their convenience. Arizona has no limit on retakes, though each attempt requires a new registration and fee.
Arizona expects candidates to seek licensure within two years of graduation. Those who don’t meet this timeline must complete a board-approved refresher course. Out-of-state candidates who haven’t worked 960 hours in the past five years and haven’t completed an advanced degree in that time must also complete a refresher before practicing in Arizona. Candidates apply for a temporary license before the clinical portion of the refresher. They must pay the temporary license fee and show proof of payment for the refresher course. This license isn’t valid for general nursing employment.
LPN Candidates from Other States
Out-of-state LPNs who don’t require a refresher can apply for licensure by endorsement. Current endorsement fees are listed on the AZBN fee schedule.
Nurses relocating to Arizona from another compact state should apply for Arizona licensure after establishing Arizona as their primary state of residence. Verify current transition requirements with the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
Internationally educated candidates have additional documentation requirements. Canadian applicants should follow the AZBN’s current requirements for Canadian nurse licensure verification and examination equivalency. Candidates from other countries must present credentials through CGFNS or have their educational equivalency evaluated. Applicants from countries where English isn’t the primary language, including candidates from Quebec, must also demonstrate English proficiency.
RN License Requirements in Arizona
RN Education Requirements in Arizona
RN candidates must enroll in a board-approved program at the associate, diploma, or baccalaureate level. Arizona approves programs through schools with appropriate institutional accreditation. Many programs also hold programmatic accreditation through ACEN or CCNE, though the AZBN doesn’t require it. The Board maintains a list of approved programs and admission requirements at azbn.gov, but listings should be verified directly with each school.
Out-of-state programs must have a program code assigned by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and be equivalent to Arizona-approved programs. Excelsior College graduates are eligible, provided their program included the required clinical course. Read more about RN programs in Arizona.
RN Application and NCLEX-RN Exam
Candidates apply to the AZBN and register separately with Pearson VUE. The AZBN requests that candidates download the NCLEX candidate bulletin from Pearson about a month before graduation. Arizona confirms payment of the Pearson VUE fee before granting eligibility to test.
The RN license application is available on the AZBN licensing page. Current application and fingerprinting fees are listed on the AZBN fee schedule. Arizona-educated candidates submit a certificate of program completion. Candidates from other states submit an official transcript showing the qualifying degree.
Once authorized, candidates can schedule their exam within the testing window. Arizona places no limit on NCLEX-RN retakes. Candidates who fail the RN exam may also apply to take the NCLEX-PN. That requires a new application and fee, but no additional program verification. Fingerprints completed within the past two years don’t need to be redone.
RN Candidates from Other States
RN graduates who don’t apply for licensure within two years must complete a refresher course. The same applies to out-of-state nurses who haven’t practiced at least 960 hours in the previous five years and haven’t completed an advanced degree in that time.
Nurses from compact states applying to Arizona as their primary state of residency must apply for an Arizona license. Current endorsement fees are listed on the AZBN fee schedule.
Foreign-educated candidates must demonstrate educational equivalency. CGFNS certification is an accepted option for RNs, as is a CES Professional report or VisaScreen. Arizona also accepts license verification from several approved organizations. Canadian applicants should follow the AZBN’s current requirements for Canadian nurse licensure verification and examination equivalency. English proficiency is required unless the candidate has completed education and clinical training in English. Arizona considers the clinical portion to have been in English if English was the dominant language of the country or Canadian province.
License Renewal in Arizona
Arizona RN and LPN licenses must be renewed on a regular cycle through the AZBN. To qualify for renewal, nurses must demonstrate ongoing competency by meeting one of four requirements: practicing at least 960 hours in the past five years, graduating from a nursing program within the renewal period, completing a board-approved refresher course, or obtaining an advanced nursing degree.
Arizona doesn’t require continuing education hours for RN or LPN renewal. Meeting one of the competency options above is enough. Nurses who let their licenses lapse incur late fees and may need to re-establish competency before the AZBN reinstates their licenses. Current renewal fees and deadlines are posted on the AZBN licensing page.
Professional and Student Nursing Organizations in Arizona
The Arizona State Board of Nursing is the licensing authority for all nurses in the state. Its website includes approved program lists, application forms, fee schedules, and NCLEX pass rate data by school.
The Arizona Nurses Association is the statewide professional organization for nurses. Its affiliated foundation offers scholarships to prospective RNs. Additional scholarship opportunities are available at the program level.
The Student Nurses Association of Arizona is the primary student organization for nursing students in the state.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arizona a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Arizona is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses whose primary state of residence is Arizona hold a multistate license valid in all other NLC member states. Nurses moving to Arizona from another compact state must apply to the AZBN to transfer their primary state of license.
How long does it take to get an Arizona nursing license?
Processing times vary. The AZBN publishes estimated timeframes in the application checklist on its website. Arizona offers a walk-through temporary license for eligible endorsement candidates, which can be issued the same day in some cases. Candidates with no criminal history and no pending disciplinary issues are typically eligible. This option isn’t available if you submit your endorsement application online. Availability and processing times for temporary licenses vary and should be verified directly with the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
What are the fees for an Arizona nursing license?
Fees are set by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and are subject to periodic changes. Verify current application, endorsement, fingerprinting, and temporary license fees at azbn.gov before applying. The NCLEX registration fee is set separately by Pearson VUE.
Does Arizona require continuing education for license renewal?
No. Arizona doesn’t require continuing education hours for RN or LPN renewal. Nurses must meet one of four competency requirements, with the most common being 960 or more hours of nursing practice in the past five years.
Can I use an out-of-state nursing license to work in Arizona?
If your license is from another NLC compact state and Arizona isn’t your primary state of residence, your multistate license is valid in Arizona. If you’re moving to Arizona and it becomes your primary state, you’ll need to apply to the AZBN. Nurses from non-compact states must apply for licensure by endorsement before practicing in Arizona.
Key Takeaways
- AZBN oversees all nursing licenses — The Arizona State Board of Nursing handles applications, approves programs, and sets standards for RNs and LPNs in the state.
- New graduates apply by examination — Completing a board-approved program and passing the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN is required before practicing.
- Arizona is a compact state — An Arizona license carries multistate privileges through the NLC for nurses with primary residence in Arizona.
- No CE required for renewal — Arizona uses a practice-hour standard rather than mandatory continuing education. The 960-hour practice requirement over five years is the most common renewal path.
- Endorsement available for out-of-state nurses — Nurses already licensed elsewhere apply for licensure by endorsement. Compact-state nurses relocating to Arizona should verify current transition requirements with the AZBN.
Find approved RN and LPN programs in Arizona and other states, including application links and licensing requirements for your area.