Oregon Nursing License Requirements 2026
Oregon licenses RNs and LPNs through the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN). The state is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a separate Oregon license is required to practice here. New graduates apply by examination after passing the NCLEX. Nurses already licensed in another state apply by endorsement.
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The Oregon State Board of Nursing oversees licensure for both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. Oregon is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, which means nurses moving from another state or taking on a travel assignment here cannot use their home-state license. They need an Oregon license. This guide covers the requirements for both license types, including education, application, endorsement, renewal, and license requirements for internationally educated nurses. For certified nursing assistant requirements in Oregon or advanced practice registered nurse certification in Oregon, see those dedicated pages.
Use the links below to jump to LPN requirements, RN requirements, renewal, salary data, and international nurse information.
- LPN license requirements in Oregon
- RN license requirements in Oregon
- Out-of-state and endorsement candidates
- License renewal requirements
- Internationally educated nurses
- RN and LPN salaries in Oregon
LPN License Requirements in Oregon
Education
Oregon requires LPN candidates to complete a board-approved practical nursing program at the certificate level or higher. The OSBN publishes a list of approved LPN programs in Oregon, organized by city, on its website. Candidates should confirm program approval before enrolling, as only graduates of OSBN-approved programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN in Oregon.
The Application Process
After completing an approved program, LPN candidates submit an application for licensure by examination to the OSBN. The application packet includes an examination picture identification form that the program director must sign if the candidate is applying within 12 months of graduation. Notarization is acceptable for candidates who graduated more than twelve months earlier.
Official transcripts are also required. A fingerprint-based criminal history check is also required. The OSBN provides instructions for completing the background check process, which may use electronic submission or physical fingerprint cards depending on current procedures. Confirm the current process through the OSBN application packet at osbn.oregon.gov. The fingerprint processing fee is $52.
The application fee for licensure by examination is $160, payable to the Board. Once both the application and the NCLEX-PN registration are complete, the OSBN sends an Authorization to Test (ATT). The ATT allows the candidate to schedule an exam at Pearson VUE testing centers. The NCLEX-PN exam registration fee is $200, paid directly to Pearson VUE. Fee amounts are subject to change; confirm current fees at osbn.oregon.gov before submitting an application.
Candidates who do not pass the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt pay a $25 retake fee to the OSBN and must resubmit a short-form application. NCLEX-PN registration with Pearson VUE is also required again before scheduling.
RN License Requirements in Oregon
Education
Oregon accepts graduates of associate degree (ADN), baccalaureate (BSN), and diploma nursing programs for initial RN licensure. Oregon also accepts graduates of professional nursing programs completed in other states. Many Oregon healthcare employers encourage BSN completion, and several institutions in the state offer RN-to-BSN bridge pathways for nurses who enter the field with an associate degree.
Oregon has associate and baccalaureate RN programs across the state, as well as a direct-entry master’s program for candidates who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Candidates considering out-of-state programs should confirm that those programs are approved to supervise clinical work at Oregon medical facilities before enrolling.
The Application Process
When a candidate completes all degree requirements, the dean or director of the nursing program signs an identity verification form and confirms the candidate’s eligibility. A passport-style photograph is required. The candidate then requests official transcripts after the degree is posted.
As with LPN candidates, RN applicants complete a fingerprint-based criminal history check. The OSBN provides current instructions for this process, which may use electronic submission or physical fingerprint cards. The fingerprint processing fee is $52. The application fee for licensure by examination is $160.
RN candidates also register separately with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN. The exam fee is $200. After both the OSBN application and NCLEX-RN registration are complete, the candidate receives an ATT and can schedule an exam at any convenient Pearson VUE testing center. Candidates who need to retake the NCLEX-RN pay a $25 fee to the OSBN and re-register with Pearson VUE before scheduling.
Out-of-State and Endorsement Candidates
Oregon is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state. RNs and LPNs licensed in other states must apply for an Oregon license by endorsement to practice in Oregon. The endorsement application is completed online through the OSBN.
LPN endorsement candidates pay an application fee of $195 plus a $52 fingerprint processing fee. RN endorsement candidates pay the same amounts. Both license types require verification of the first state of licensure and, if different, the most recent state. States that participate in Nursys allow verification through that system. For states that do not use Nursys, candidates contact the state board directly and request that a verification of licensure form be submitted to the OSBN on their behalf.
Nurses who have not practiced at least 960 hours in the preceding five years must complete a board-approved refresher course before an Oregon license will be issued, unless they completed a qualifying nursing program within the last five years. A refresher course completed within the 2 years before the application is accepted.
License Renewal in Oregon
Oregon nursing licenses expire on the licensee’s birthday in either an odd or even year, depending on the year of birth. Licenses are renewed every two years. Renewal is completed through the OSBN’s online nurse portal.
Oregon’s renewal requirements are based on practice hours rather than mandatory continuing education for most nurses. RNs and LPNs who complete at least 400 practice hours during a renewal period are not required to complete continuing education to renew. Nurses who do not meet the practice hour requirement must complete continuing education instead.
Oregon has also required CE on specific topics for initial licensure and renewal, including pain management education and cultural competency. These requirements have been updated multiple times in recent years. Confirm the current requirements directly with the OSBN at osbn.oregon.gov before applying. Nurses who have been out of practice and cannot meet the practice hour requirement must complete a nurse re-entry program under limited licensure before their license can be reactivated.
Internationally Educated Nurses
Internationally educated nurses who have not previously been licensed in the US apply for licensure by examination. They must obtain a CGFNS certificate or VisaScreen, or have their credentials evaluated by an OSBN-approved agency. The OSBN accepts evaluations from CGFNS, ERES, and IERF. If the nursing program is not conducted in English, an English proficiency exam is also required.
Internationally educated nurses who are already licensed in another US state apply by endorsement, but the documentation requirements differ from those for U.S.-educated endorsement candidates. English proficiency is considered established if the nurse practiced in the United States for at least 960 hours in the prior two years, completed the majority of nursing coursework in English, or passed the NCLEX within the prior two years. Nurses who do not meet one of these conditions must provide scores from an approved English proficiency exam.
RN and LPN Salaries in Oregon
Registered nurses in Oregon earn a median annual wage of $129,010, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Oregon employment projections from Projections Central estimate 11.6% growth in RN employment between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 2,930 job openings per year.
Licensed practical nurses in Oregon earn a median annual wage of $80,470, according to BLS data. Projections Central estimates 12.7% growth in LPN employment in the state over the same period, with an average of 330 job openings per year.
| License Type | Median Annual Wage (Oregon) | Projected Growth 2022–2032 | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $129,010 | 11.6% | 2,930 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $80,470 | 12.7% | 330 |
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No. Oregon is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses licensed in compact states cannot use their multistate license to practice in Oregon. A separate Oregon license is required, obtained through the OSBN either by examination or endorsement.
How do I apply for an Oregon nursing license by endorsement?
Submit an online endorsement application through the OSBN. You’ll need to provide license verification from the state where you were first licensed and, if different, your most recent state. The application fee is $195 for both RNs and LPNs, plus a $52 fingerprint processing fee. If you haven’t practiced at least 960 hours in the last five years, a board-approved refresher course is required before the license is issued.
What are Oregon’s nursing license renewal requirements?
Oregon RN and LPN licenses renew every two years on the licensee’s birthday. Nurses who complete 400 or more practice hours during the renewal period are not required to complete continuing education. Those who fall below that threshold must complete CE hours instead. Renewal is handled through the OSBN’s online nurse portal.
What does an Oregon nursing license cost?
The application fee for initial licensure by examination is $160, plus $52 for fingerprint processing. The NCLEX exam itself costs $200, paid separately to Pearson VUE. Endorsement applications cost $195 plus the $52 fingerprint fee. Retaking the NCLEX requires an additional $25 fee to the OSBN. Fee amounts are updated periodically; verify current figures at osbn.oregon.gov before applying.
Can internationally educated nurses get licensed in Oregon?
Yes. Internationally educated nurses who have not been licensed in the US must obtain a CGFNS certificate or VisaScreen, or have their credentials evaluated by an OSBN-approved agency (CGFNS, ERES, or IERF). If the nursing program is not in English, an English proficiency exam is also required. Nurses already licensed in another US state can apply for endorsement, subject to additional documentation requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon is not a compact state — Nurses from NLC states need a separate Oregon license to practice here, obtained by endorsement through the OSBN.
- Two license types: same board. Boarder OSBN licenses both RNs and LPNs. Both require a fingerprint-based background check, an approved program, and passing the appropriate NCLEX exam.
- Endorsement requires 960 hours — Out-of-state nurses who haven’t practiced at least 960 hours in the past five years must complete a board-approved refresher course before an Oregon license is issued.
- Renewal is practice-based — Oregon doesn’t require CE for renewal if you’ve logged 400 or more practice hours in the two-year cycle. CE is only required when practice hours fall short.
- Strong job market — BLS data shows Oregon RNs earn a median annual wage of $129,010, with Projections Central forecasting 11.6% employment growth through 2032.
Find approved RN and LPN programs in Oregon, application links, and state-specific licensing information for your situation.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.