Ohio Nursing License Requirements 2026
Ohio nursing licenses are issued by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) for LPNs, RNs, and APRNs. To get licensed, candidates must complete a board-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN, and clear a criminal background check. Ohio joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in January 2023, allowing Ohio nurses to hold a multistate license valid in other NLC member states.
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The Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) licenses practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The path to an Ohio nursing license runs through a board-approved program, the appropriate NCLEX exam, and a criminal background check through the state’s Webcheck fingerprinting system. Out-of-state nurses can apply by endorsement rather than sitting for the exam again.
Use the links below to jump to LPN requirements, RN requirements, compact license information, and renewal details.
- Nursing license types in Ohio
- LPN requirements and application
- RN requirements and application
- Nurse Licensure Compact in Ohio
- License renewal requirements
- Requirements for international nurses
- Nursing scholarships and loans
Nursing License Types in Ohio
The OBN licenses LPNs, RNs, and APRNs. The Ohio Department of Health certifies State Tested Nursing Assistants (STNAs), which is Ohio’s equivalent of the certified nursing assistant (CNA) designation used in most other states. Use the links below to find requirements for each credential.
- State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) requirements in Ohio
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) requirements in Ohio
- Registered Nurse (RN) requirements in Ohio
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) requirements in Ohio
LPN Requirements in Ohio
LPN Education
LPN candidates must complete a practical nursing program approved by the OBN. Ohio adds a layer of specificity to LPN licensure that most states don’t have: it distinguishes between LPNs based on authorized scope of practice. A standard LPN isn’t authorized to administer medications independently. Completing the required medication administration coursework earns the LPN Meds designation. Completing both medication administration and IV therapy coursework earns the LPN M-IV designation.
If you plan to administer medications or perform IV therapy, confirm that your program’s completion letter includes the appropriate designation before it’s sent to the Board. The OBN maintains a list of approved programs on its website.
Read more about choosing an LPN program in Ohio for additional details on program requirements and options.
LPN Application Process
When you complete the program, your program director sends a verification letter to the OBN. Graduates of out-of-state programs submit official transcripts to confirm they meet Ohio’s educational requirements. Application packets are available through the OBN’s online portal. The Board updates its forms periodically, so always download the current version rather than reusing an old copy.
Ohio requires a criminal background check before licensure. Most applicants submit fingerprints electronically through Webcheck, selecting a site that processes both BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) and FBI checks. The Board issues fingerprint cards for applicants who live more than 75 miles from a Webcheck facility.
After submitting your application, you’ll register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. The OBN must confirm your eligibility before you can schedule an exam date. Once eligibility is verified, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) and can select a testing center. Verify current application and exam fees directly with the OBN, as amounts are subject to change. If you don’t pass on the first attempt, you can retake the exam, but a new application and fee are required.
LPN by Endorsement
LPNs licensed in another state apply to Ohio by endorsement rather than examination. You’ll need to complete a two-hour online course in Ohio nursing rules and laws, available through the continuing education section of the OBN website.
A criminal background check is required. Out-of-state applicants can request fingerprint cards from the Board. A temporary permit to practice in Ohio is available once education and current licensure are verified and the application and fee are submitted. You’ll need to keep your license active in the qualifying state until Ohio issues your full license.
To be authorized to administer medications or perform IV therapy in Ohio, endorsement candidates must provide documentation of the appropriate coursework. Per the Ohio Board of Nursing’s licensure guidelines, candidates seeking the IV therapy authorization may also be required to complete a one-hour module in Ohio-specific rules and laws beyond the standard two-hour endorsement course. Confirm this requirement directly with the OBN before submitting your application, as administrative requirements of this type are subject to change. Contact the Board at 614-466-3947 or [email protected], or visit nursing.ohio.gov for current endorsement requirements.
RN License Requirements in Ohio
RN Education
RN candidates must graduate from a program approved by the OBN or a jurisdiction within the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Ohio accepts both associate degree in nursing (ADN) and bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) graduates for initial RN licensure. At the close of your program, the dean or director notifies the OBN that you’ve met the educational requirements.
Learn about choosing an RN program in Ohio for resources on selecting an approved professional nursing program.
RN Application Process
After your program submits its notification to the Board, you’ll file your application and register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-RN. The OBN must confirm eligibility before you can schedule an exam date. Once eligibility is verified, you’ll receive an ATT. A criminal background check is required. In-state candidates generally submit fingerprints electronically through WebCheck. Verify current application and exam fees directly with the OBN, as amounts are subject to change. You can check the status of your application through the OBN’s verification system at elicense.ohio.gov.
RN by Endorsement
RNs licensed in another state apply to Ohio by endorsement. You’ll need to complete the two-hour online course in Ohio rules and laws, found on the OBN’s continuing education page. A background check is required. If you’re applying from out of state, request fingerprint cards from the Board.
Have the state where you’re currently licensed send verification directly to the OBN. If your state participates in Nursys.com, the verification can move quickly through that platform. Once education and licensure are verified, the OBN may issue a temporary permit to practice in Ohio while your full application is processed.
Nurse Licensure Compact in Ohio
Ohio joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) on January 1, 2023. Ohio nurses whose primary residence is in Ohio can apply for a multistate license (MSL), which allows practice in other NLC member states without obtaining separate state licenses. Nurses from other NLC states who hold a multistate license can also practice in Ohio.
To convert an existing single-state Ohio license to a multistate license, log in to the Ohio eLicense portal at elicense.ohio.gov, navigate to your license dashboard, select “Options,” and choose “Convert to a Multistate License.” You’ll need an active, unencumbered Ohio license, legal residency in Ohio, and a completed BCI/FBI background check on file with the Board.
The multistate license is particularly useful for travel nurses, nurses who live near state borders, and those providing telehealth services across state lines. Nurses who hold a multistate license from another NLC state and relocate their primary residence to Ohio must apply for an Ohio multistate license within 60 days of the move.
Ohio Nursing License Renewal
Ohio nursing licenses renew on a two-year cycle through the OBN’s eLicense portal. RNs and APRNs renew in odd-numbered years, LPNs in even-numbered years. The renewal window runs July 1 through October 31. Renewing before September 15 avoids a late processing fee. A license that isn’t renewed by October 31 lapses on November 1, and you can’t practice until reinstatement is completed.
Both RNs and LPNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal cycle. At least one of those hours must be Category A content, which means it must directly address the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and the administrative rules of the OBN. You don’t submit CE documentation when you renew, but you do need to keep certificates of completion for at least six years in case the Board selects you for an audit.
Two exemptions apply: nurses licensed by examination in Ohio don’t need to complete any CE for their first renewal cycle. Nurses licensed by endorsement who have held an Ohio license for one year or less must complete 12 CE hours for that first renewal rather than the standard 24. Manage your license and renewal through the Ohio eLicense portal at elicense.ohio.gov.
International Nurses
Internationally educated nurses seeking U.S. licensure for the first time in Ohio must submit a credential evaluation from CGFNS International. Nurses who have previously been licensed in the U.S. and are applying by endorsement must still document their education through CGFNS or another acceptable source. A translated transcript may be accepted in some cases. If the OBN determines that an applicant’s education doesn’t meet Ohio’s requirements, it may require additional coursework before proceeding.
International candidates must provide evidence of English proficiency unless they attended school in one of the exempted English-speaking nations. All Canadian graduates are exempt except those from Quebec, though five Quebec institutions have been recognized as meeting the English language requirement. Applicants who aren’t exempt take the TOEFL.
Nursing Scholarships and Loans in Ohio
The Ohio Center for Nursing offers tuition assistance resources for the state’s nursing students. The Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program provides a loan repayment option for qualifying nurses. The Ohio Nurses Foundation offers scholarships with varying eligibility criteria. Verify current availability and requirements directly with each program, as scholarship offerings change from year to year.
LPNs may find professional resources and continuing education through the Licensed Practical Nurse Association of Ohio. RNs can connect with the Ohio Nurses Association for continuing education, professional development, and advocacy.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ohio accept ADN graduates for RN licensure?
Yes. The OBN accepts graduates of both associate degree in nursing (ADN) and bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs for initial RN licensure, as long as the program is approved by the OBN or by the NCSBN.
Is Ohio a compact nursing state?
Yes. Ohio joined the Nurse Licensure Compact on January 1, 2023. Ohio nurses can apply to convert their license to a multistate license (MSL) through the Ohio eLicense portal, which allows practice in other NLC member states without obtaining separate licenses.
What are Ohio’s LPN designation tiers?
Ohio distinguishes between LPNs based on authorized scope. A standard LPN isn’t authorized to administer medications independently. Completing the required coursework earns the LPN Meds designation (medication administration). Completing both medication administration and IV therapy training earns the LPN M-IV designation.
How many CE hours do Ohio nurses need to renew their license?
Both RNs and LPNs must complete 24 contact hours of CE per renewal cycle. At least one hour must be Category A content directly covering the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and OBN administrative rules. RNs and APRNs renew in odd-numbered years, LPNs in even-numbered years.
Can an out-of-state nurse get a temporary permit while their Ohio endorsement is processed?
Yes. Once education and current licensure are verified and the application and fee are submitted, the OBN can issue a temporary permit. You must keep your license active in the qualifying state until Ohio issues the full license.
Key Takeaways
- Two separate licensing paths — LPNs and RNs both apply through the Ohio Board of Nursing, but the exam, program requirements, and scope of practice differ. LPNs take the NCLEX-PN, and RNs take the NCLEX-RN.
- Ohio’s LPN tiers are unique — Ohio distinguishes between standard LPNs, LPN Meds (medication administration), and LPN M-IV (medication plus IV therapy). Your program’s completion letter must specify the appropriate designation if you want those authorizations.
- Ohio is an NLC compact state — Ohio joined the Nurse Licensure Compact on January 1, 2023. Ohio-licensed nurses can convert to a multistate license through the eLicense portal.
- Renewal is biennial — Licenses renew every two years. RNs and APRNs renew in odd-numbered years, LPNs in even-numbered years. Both require 24 CE hours, including one Category A hour on Ohio nursing law.
- Endorsement is available — Out-of-state nurses don’t need to retake the NCLEX. Ohio’s endorsement process includes a two-hour online course in Ohio rules, a background check, and verification of current licensure.
Select your state below to find approved RN and LPN programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.