Pennsylvania Nursing License Requirements 2026
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing licenses RNs and LPNs. Both require completing a board-approved program and passing the NCLEX. Applications go through the PALS online portal. Pennsylvania joined the Nurse Licensure Compact on July 7, 2025, so PA residents can now hold a multistate license valid in all compact states.
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The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (PSBN) sets the requirements for RN and LPN licensure in the state. The path to either credential follows the same basic structure: complete an approved program, meet the Board’s eligibility requirements, pass the NCLEX, and complete a mandatory child abuse recognition training. Pennsylvania also joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in July 2025, which changes how out-of-state nurses can practice here and how PA-licensed nurses can practice elsewhere.
CNA certification and advanced practice nursing (CRNP) certification are covered on their own pages. Find CNA requirements in Pennsylvania and CRNP requirements in Pennsylvania for those pathways.
Use the links below to jump to the requirements that apply to you.
- LPN requirements and application
- LPN license by endorsement
- RN requirements and application
- Out-of-state and international RNs
- License renewal in Pennsylvania
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
LPN Requirements in Pennsylvania
Education
To be licensed as an LPN in Pennsylvania, you must complete a practical nursing program approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Programs range from diploma and certificate programs offered at technical schools and community colleges to hospital-based programs, and typically run 12 to 18 months. A list of approved programs is available through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) and the Board’s website.
Students currently enrolled in RN-level (professional nursing) programs are not eligible to apply for an LPN license. You must complete and graduate from an LPN-level program before you can sit for the NCLEX-PN.
See LPN programs in Pennsylvania for more on program types and what to consider when selecting one. If you want to understand what LPNs actually do day-to-day before committing to the application process, the Pennsylvania LPN scope of practice page covers clinical responsibilities and supervision requirements in detail.
Applying for Licensure
Pennsylvania LPN candidates apply through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) online portal. The application requires evidence of program completion, the applicable fees, and any additional documentation the Board requires based on your individual circumstances. Out-of-state candidates must submit official transcripts. Fees are set by the Board and subject to change. Always check the current fee schedule on PALS before submitting.
Once the Board receives a complete application, a temporary practice permit can be issued. The permit allows graduates to work while waiting for NCLEX-PN results under the required supervision. Pennsylvania participates in Pearson VUE’s Quick Results program, so candidates can access unofficial results sooner for a small fee. The permanent license won’t be issued until official results are verified. Graduates who have already attempted the NCLEX in any jurisdiction are not eligible for a TPP.
Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting
All Pennsylvania nursing license applicants must complete three hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training from a provider approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). This training is a statutory requirement and must be completed before licensure is granted. It’s not optional, and it’s not waivable based on prior experience.
LPN License by Endorsement
LPNs with full, active licensure in another state may apply for a Pennsylvania LPN license by endorsement through PALS. The candidate must be in good standing in their originating state and submit the endorsement application with the applicable fee. Verify the current fee on PALS, as fees are updated periodically.
Pennsylvania requires LPNs who perform IV therapy to complete a Pennsylvania-approved IV therapy course. If your current state doesn’t require this training, you’ll need to complete it before performing IV therapy in Pennsylvania.
Candidates should use the endorsement by examination form if they were licensed in a U.S. state or territory that was not using the NCLEX or state pool at the time of original licensure, or if they were originally licensed in Canada without passing an acceptable exam. Transcripts from non-English nursing programs must be translated into English and certified for accuracy. English proficiency exam results are valid for two years.
If you were originally licensed in Canada or Puerto Rico but later passed the NCLEX in another U.S. jurisdiction, you’ll need license verification from both the state where you passed and the state of original licensure.
RN License Requirements in Pennsylvania
Education
To be licensed as an RN in Pennsylvania, you must graduate from a nursing program approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Programs are offered at three levels: diploma, associate degree in nursing (ADN), and baccalaureate (BSN). All three are acceptable pathways to initial RN licensure. The Board doesn’t require a BSN for entry-level licensure.
Read the RN programs in Pennsylvania article for details on program types, accreditation considerations, and how to evaluate your options.
Applying for Licensure
RN graduates apply through PALS. Graduates of Pennsylvania programs can apply online. Graduates of out-of-state programs must use the paper application and submit official transcripts. In-state programs send verification of completion directly to the Board.
A graduate temporary practice permit (TPP) is available to both in-state and out-of-state graduates who have not previously attempted the NCLEX in any jurisdiction. Once the Board receives a complete application, the TPP can be issued so the graduate can begin working under supervision while awaiting exam results.
While working under a TPP, the graduate must be under the direct supervision of a licensed RN who is physically present in the area or unit where the graduate is practicing. The TPP is valid for up to one year from the date of issuance and expires immediately if the applicant fails the NCLEX.
Pennsylvania participates in Pearson VUE’s Quick Results program. Candidates who don’t pass will receive diagnostic materials and can retake the exam after the standard 45-day waiting period. Pennsylvania doesn’t cap the number of retake attempts.
Out-of-State and International RNs
Endorsement from Another U.S. State
Out-of-state RNs who have already passed an acceptable licensing exam may apply for Pennsylvania licensure by endorsement without retaking the NCLEX. If the candidate hasn’t passed an acceptable exam, they apply for endorsement with an examination.
Pennsylvania joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in July 2025. If you hold a multistate license from a compact state and your primary state of residence is not Pennsylvania, you can practice in Pennsylvania in person and via telehealth without obtaining a separate Pennsylvania license. If you’ve moved to Pennsylvania and it’s now your primary state of residence, you’ll need to apply for a Pennsylvania multistate license through PALS.
Internationally Educated RNs
An internationally educated RN who has not yet passed the NCLEX and been licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction must first apply for certification through the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). After receiving CGFNS certification, the candidate applies to the Pennsylvania Board using the Application for Licensure by Endorsement with Exam for Internationally Educated Registered Nurses, and registers with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-RN at that time.
If the internationally educated RN has since been licensed in another U.S. state on the basis of a passed exam, an educational evaluation is still required. English proficiency exam scores are required for candidates from non-English nursing programs who are applying for a temporary practice permit, and are valid for two years.
License Renewal in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania nursing licenses are renewed on a two-year cycle through the PALS online portal. Renewal deadlines differ by license type.
RNs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education from a Board-approved provider for each renewal cycle. Two of those 30 hours must cover child abuse recognition and reporting. RN and APRN renewal deadlines fall on April 30 or October 31 of even-numbered years, depending on your assigned renewal group. Effective May 1, 2026, RNs must also complete two hours of organ and tissue donation education one time within five years of initial licensure or renewal, per PA Act 90.
LPNs renew by June 30 of their assigned renewal year and must complete the two-hour child abuse recognition and reporting course per cycle.
Your license will lapse if not renewed by the deadline, and you can’t practice nursing on a lapsed license. Renewal notices are mailed before expiration, but if yours doesn’t arrive, the deadline still applies. Lapsed licenses can be reactivated through PALS.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
Pennsylvania fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on July 7, 2025. The NLC is an agreement among more than 40 states that allows RNs and LPNs to hold one multistate license valid for in-person and telehealth practice in all participating states. A single multistate license covers all of them.
If Pennsylvania is your primary state of residence, you can apply for a Pennsylvania multistate license through PALS. That license lets you practice in all other NLC compact states. If you already hold a PA single-state license, it stays valid for practice in Pennsylvania. It was not automatically converted when the compact took effect. You’d need to actively apply for the multistate upgrade if you want to practice in other compact states. The conversion fee is set by the Board. Verify the current amount through PALS.
If your primary state of residence is another compact state, your existing multistate license covers you for in-person and telehealth practice in Pennsylvania. No separate Pennsylvania license is required.
Contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing at [email protected] or (833) 367-2762 with questions about applying for or converting to a multistate license. General information on the compact is available at nursecompact.com.
Nursing Scholarships and Professional Organizations in Pennsylvania
The Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania offers scholarships to LPN and RN students in the state.
The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) is the state’s primary professional organization for nurses. It’s not an official licensing agency and has no role in the licensing process.
The Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators (PAPNA) supports the advancement of the practical nursing profession within Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing is the official licensing authority for RNs and LPNs. Applications, fee schedules, and approved program lists are available through the PALS portal.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Pennsylvania fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on July 7, 2025. PA residents can apply for a multistate license through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Nurses from other compact states holding a multistate license can practice in Pennsylvania in person or via telehealth without a separate Pennsylvania license.
What exam do I need to pass to get a nursing license in Pennsylvania?
RN candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN. LPN candidates must pass the NCLEX-PN. Both exams are administered by Pearson VUE. You’ll register with Pearson separately after submitting your licensure application to the Pennsylvania Board through PALS.
Can I work while waiting for my Pennsylvania nursing license?
Yes. New graduates who have not previously attempted the NCLEX can apply for a temporary practice permit (TPP) while their application and exam results are being processed. The TPP is issued once the Board receives a complete application. While working under a TPP, RN graduates must be directly supervised by a licensed RN who is physically present in the same area or unit. The TPP is valid for up to one year from the date of issuance and expires immediately if the NCLEX is failed.
Does Pennsylvania require continuing education to renew a nursing license?
Yes. RNs must complete 30 contact hours of CE from a Board-approved provider per renewal cycle, including two hours on child abuse recognition and reporting. Effective May 1, 2026, RNs must also complete a one-time two-hour course on organ and tissue donation within five years of initial licensure or renewal. LPNs must complete the two-hour child abuse recognition and reporting course for each renewal cycle. All licenses renew on a two-year cycle through PALS.
Do internationally educated nurses need CGFNS certification to apply in Pennsylvania?
Yes, for most pathways. An internationally educated RN who hasn’t passed the NCLEX and been licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction must obtain CGFNS certification before applying to the Pennsylvania Board. Once certified, they apply using the Application for Licensure by Endorsement with Exam for Internationally Educated Registered Nurses and register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-RN.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania joined the NLC in July 2025 — PA residents can apply for a multistate license valid in all compact states. Existing PA licenses remain single-state until you actively apply for the multistate upgrade. Nurses from other compact states can practice in PA without a separate license.
- Child abuse training is required for all applicants — Three hours of DHS-approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting must be completed before any nursing license is issued in Pennsylvania.
- Applications go through PALS — The Pennsylvania Licensing System (pals.pa.gov) handles initial applications, renewals, and temporary practice permits for both RNs and LPNs.
- Temporary practice permits are available — New graduates can work under a TPP while awaiting exam results, subject to supervision requirements and application timing rules.
- Renewal is biennial — RNs complete 30 CE hours per cycle. LPNs complete the child abuse training course. Deadlines vary by license type and renewal group.
Find approved LPN and RN programs in Pennsylvania, application instructions, and Board-approved program lists through the link below.