New Jersey Nursing License Requirements 2026
New Jersey licenses RNs and LPNs through the New Jersey Board of Nursing. Both require completing a Board-approved program and passing the NCLEX exam. New Jersey is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), so qualifying nurses can obtain a multistate license that covers practice in other compact states.
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The New Jersey Board of Nursing oversees licensure for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in the state. It also approves nursing programs and monitors NCLEX pass rates. Programs that fall below the Board’s minimum threshold for consecutive years face conditional approval and risk losing accreditation. Verify the current threshold and timeline against Board regulations before relying on this. Whether you’re applying fresh out of a nursing program, transferring a license from another state, or coming from outside the U.S., the process is handled by the Board.
Use the links below to jump to LPN requirements, RN requirements, renewal information, and salary data for New Jersey nurses.
- LPN License Requirements
- RN License Requirements
- License Renewal and Continuing Education
- Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)
- Salary and Job Outlook
Select the Type of Nursing License You Are Seeking
- Certified Nurse Aide Requirements in New Jersey
- Practical Nursing License Requirements in New Jersey
- Registered Nursing License Requirements in New Jersey
- Advanced Practice Nurse License Requirements in New Jersey
The New Jersey State Nurses Association serves both RNs and LPNs as a professional membership organization. It’s not involved with licensing but offers continuing education resources, networking, and advocacy.
LPN License Requirements in New Jersey
LPN Education
To qualify for LPN licensure in New Jersey, you must complete a Board-approved practical nursing program in New Jersey. As you near completion, you’ll need a 2×2 passport-style photo and must read the state’s nursing laws and regulations. The application includes a notarized statement attesting that you’ve read N.J.S.A. 45:11-23 and N.J.A.C. 13:37-1.
Applying for LPN Licensure
New Jersey uses a combined Candidate application for both exam and endorsement applicants. Whether you’ve never been licensed before or are licensed in another state, you apply through the same online form on the Board’s site. The application fee is $200, which covers the first licensing period. You’ll also complete a criminal background check through the Division of Consumer Affairs’ electronic fingerprinting system.
You register separately with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-PN and pay a $200 testing fee. Pearson VUE administers the exam at testing sites in New Jersey and nationwide. Once the Board determines your eligibility, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT), after which you can schedule your exam date.
If you fail three consecutive licensing examinations, you may be required to complete a remediation course before sitting for a fourth attempt. Confirm current requirements directly at the New Jersey Board of Nursing’s site, as the specific hour requirement and process are subject to change.
Out-of-State LPNs: Licensure by Endorsement
LPNs licensed in other states apply through the same Candidate application as first-time applicants. You’ll need official license verification from every state where you hold or have held a license. States that participate in Nursys can verify electronically. You’ll need to pay Nursys’s fee and designate New Jersey as the recipient. For states that don’t use Nursys, a paper verification form is available in the endorsement packet. For more on the scope and career context of practical nursing in New Jersey, including typical work settings and advancement options, see our LPN career guide.
Fingerprinting requirements depend on your location. Candidates close to New Jersey’s borders may be required to use the state’s electronic fingerprinting system regardless of where they reside. Those farther away may have the option of traditional fingerprint cards. Confirm current fingerprinting instructions with the Division of Consumer Affairs, as administrative guidance on this can change. The endorsement application fee is $200, the same as for first-time exam candidates.
Internationally educated LPN applicants have a separate process. They must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an approved organization and may need to pass an English proficiency exam. International applicants pay a higher application fee than domestic candidates. Confirm the current amount with the New Jersey Board of Nursing, as fee schedules are subject to change. If there’s a deficiency in one of the five core curriculum areas, it must be resolved before licensure.
RN License Requirements in New Jersey
RN Education
RN candidates must complete an approved nursing program in New Jersey, either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from a Board-approved school. Once you’ve completed all program requirements, have your school send a certification of program completion directly to the Board.
The RN Application Process
The Board’s online Candidate application covers all of the standard disclosures: education history, student loan and child support status, and any medical conditions that could affect your ability to practice. The application fee is $200. You’ll also complete a criminal background check through the Division of Consumer Affairs’ electronic fingerprinting system. Applicants who the Division already fingerprinted after November 2003 don’t need new prints but do need a new background check run, which carries a separate fee.
You register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 NCLEX-RN testing fee separately from your Board application. Once eligibility is confirmed, you’ll receive an ATT and can schedule your exam.
Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) certification requires a separate application to the Board, additional education and clinical hours, and separate application and certification fees. New Jersey runs a background check any time an applicant applies for a new certification or license. Verify current SANE fee amounts and requirements with the Board, as certification requirements can change independently of standard RN licensure rules.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
RNs licensed in other states apply through the same Candidate application. You’ll complete the correct application, undergo fingerprinting, and provide license verification through Nursys or on a paper form. The Board’s application portal is at newjersey.mylicense.com.
Endorsement applicants who hold SANE certification in another state must submit additional documents to have that certification added to their New Jersey license, including coursework certifications, clinical work documentation, and a copy of the issuing state’s statutes and rules. There is one New Jersey-specific course required for endorsement applicants. Verify current SANE experience and documentation requirements with the Board before beginning this process.
International RNs
Internationally educated RN candidates complete two steps before the standard application process. First, have your coursework evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service. The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is commonly used, but confirm accepted services with the Board, as requirements can change. Second, take an English proficiency exam and have scores sent to the evaluating organization. Once those are complete, you’ll go through the standard application, criminal background check, and NCLEX-RN process. International candidates pay a higher application fee than domestic candidates. Verify the current amount with the Board.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
New Jersey nursing licenses expire on May 31 every two years. Both RNs and LPNs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. CE must be provided by providers approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing or accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
At least one of the 30 hours must cover prescription opioid education, including alternatives to opioids for pain management and the risks and signs of opioid misuse and addiction. If you’re an advanced practice nurse, you also need two hours on end-of-life care topics. Keep CE completion certificates for at least five years — the Board conducts random audits.
New Jersey allows nurses to carry excess CE hours into the following renewal period. Confirm the current carry-forward limit with the Board or at njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur. If you don’t plan to practice but want to keep your license active, you can place it in inactive status, which suspends the CE requirement until you reactivate.
Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)
New Jersey is an active member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. That means eligible RNs and LPNs who maintain New Jersey as their primary state of residence can apply for a multistate license, which allows practice in other eNLC member states without obtaining additional individual licenses. This matters most for travel nursing assignments, telehealth roles serving patients in compact states, and nurses who live near state borders. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing maintains the full list of compact member states.
To qualify for a multistate license, you must meet the eNLC’s Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs), which cover education, background checks, and legal standing. Compact status isn’t automatic. You must select it during your initial application or when updating your license record. If you don’t meet the ULRs, the Board will issue a single-state New Jersey license instead.
Salary and Job Outlook for New Jersey Nurses
New Jersey nurses earn well above national medians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in New Jersey earned a median annual wage of $110,100 as of May 2025. Licensed practical nurses earned a median annual wage of $74,600 in the state over the same period.
Job growth for both roles is positive. BLS projections show New Jersey RN employment growing 6.3% from 2022 to 2032, adding roughly 5,120 jobs, with approximately 5,030 average annual openings. LPN employment in the state is projected to grow 6.3% over the same period, adding about 1,040 jobs, with an average of 1,390 annual openings.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (NJ) | Job Growth 2022–2032 (NJ) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $110,100 | +6.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $74,600 | +6.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Jersey part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. New Jersey is an active member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). Eligible RNs and LPNs who live in New Jersey as their primary state of residence can obtain a multistate license, allowing practice in other eNLC member states without applying for separate licenses in each one.
How do I apply for a New Jersey nursing license?
Both first-time applicants and out-of-state nurses use the same Candidate application on the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website. The application fee is $200. You’ll complete a criminal background check through electronic fingerprinting and register separately with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN.
How many CE hours do New Jersey nurses need to renew their license?
New Jersey RNs and LPNs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years. At least one hour must be dedicated to prescription opioid education. Licenses expire on May 31 of each renewal year, and you should keep CE certificates for at least five years in case of a Board audit.
Can I transfer my nursing license from another state to New Jersey?
Yes. Out-of-state nurses apply by endorsement using the same Candidate application as first-time applicants. You’ll need license verification from every state where you’re currently or previously licensed, plus fingerprinting and the standard $200 application fee. States participating in Nursys can verify your license electronically.
What happens if I fail the NCLEX three times in New Jersey?
If you fail three consecutive licensing exams, you may be required to complete a remediation course before sitting for a fourth attempt. Confirm the current hour requirement and process directly with the New Jersey Board of Nursing, as these details are subject to change under the administrative code.
- Board oversight — New Jersey RNs and LPNs are licensed by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, which also approves nursing programs and enforces a 75% minimum NCLEX pass rate for accreditation.
- eNLC membership — New Jersey is part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. Qualifying nurses can get a multistate license and practice in other compact states without separate applications.
- Unified application — First-time applicants and endorsement candidates both use the Candidate application. The $200 fee covers the application and initial licensing period. NCLEX registration with Pearson VUE is a separate $200 fee.
- CE requirement — Both RNs and LPNs must complete 30 CE hours every two years for renewal, including at least one hour on prescription opioid education.
- Strong earnings — NJ RNs earned a median of $110,100, and LPNs earned $74,600 as of May 2025, both well above national medians, with projected 6.3% job growth through 2032.
Find nursing programs in New Jersey approved by the Board, including LPN, ADN, and BSN options, and connect with schools that match your schedule and goals.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Salary and job growth data for registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program and Projections Central. Wage figures reflect May 2025 estimates. Job growth projections cover 2022–2032. For current national data, visit the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Conditions in your area may vary—data accessed June 2026.