How to get a Registered Nurse (RN) license in Georgia

Georgia registered nurse licenses

Georgia issues 2 registered nurse credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Georgia registered nurse license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Education or training

Graduation from a Board-approved registered nursing education program; official transcripts are sent by the school (Georgia programs send them automatically).¹
Who may teach it: Board-approved nursing program (U.S.); foreign graduates need a program accredited by the country and verified by an independent credentials review agency (TruMerit, formerly CGFNS).¹
Alternative: Graduates of non-traditional programs (O.C.G.A. 43-26-7) who entered as LPNs need two years of acute-care or long-term acute-care practice in the five years before applying; military medical corpsmen two years of experience; paramedics two years of paramedic experience before entering the program.¹
Alternative: Foreign graduates: credential evaluation from TruMerit (formerly CGFNS), TOEFL if required, and verification of a current license.¹

Experience

At least 500 hours of on-the-job training¹
No practice experience for U.S. new graduates. International exam applicants (and endorsement/reinstatement applicants) who graduated more than 4 years ago must show 500 hours of RN practice in the last 4 years or complete a board-approved re-entry program.¹
Substitute: Board-approved re-entry program instead of the 500 hours.¹

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
Applicants with arrests, charges or convictions submit court documents and a letter of explanation; files may go to Board review.¹

Residency or citizenship

Affidavit of Citizenship and a secure and verifiable document; immigration documents if the applicant has qualified alien status.¹

Social Security number

Social Security Number is an application checklist item.¹

Also required

Only graduates of Board-approved programs qualify; the Board has warned that a program called "Erudite" operates in Georgia without approval and its graduates cannot take the NCLEX.³

Fees

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, Pearson Vue¹, when you schedule.

How to apply

Apply online

goals.sos.ga.gov¹

Processing time

No time stated: applications are processed in order of receipt; incomplete applications may be withdrawn after 60 days; complete files must arrive 15 days before a Board meeting to be on its agenda.¹

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

Renewal fee

$65¹ (Biennial RN renewal (also renews a Georgia multistate license))

Required topics

Satisfy one of the five continuing-competency options set by Georgia law during each biennial renewal period; report evidence in CE Broker.⁴

Approved courses

The board does not approve individual CE providers; it publishes a list of accepted providers.⁴

If it expires

A lapsed or inactive RN license is restored by RN Reinstatement: proof of graduation within 4 years, or 500 hours of licensed practice in the last 4 years, or a board-approved re-entry program, plus one of the five competency requirements within the two years before applying; $90 fee.¹

Renew online

goals.sos.ga.gov¹

Requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Exam

NCLEX (NCLEX-RN)¹
Given by: Pearson Vue¹
When you can take it: Apply in GOALS and register with Pearson Vue the same day; Board determines NCLEX eligibility ("NCLEX Eligible" checklist step).¹
Retakes: Applicants who failed the NCLEX apply for licensure by Repeat Exam in GOALS ($40).¹

How much a Registered Nurse (RN) license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Make sure your nursing program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing, then create an account in the GOALS portal and choose Apply for a License (paper applications are no longer accepted).¹
2. On the same day, register for the NCLEX with Pearson Vue (same name as on your application) and register for fingerprinting with GAPS/Idemia.¹
3. Have your school send official transcripts; upload the background consent form, any court documents, the affidavit of citizenship and a secure and verifiable document; pay the $40 non-refundable fee.¹
4. Answer any deficiency letter promptly (incomplete files may be withdrawn after 60 days), complete fingerprinting when GAPS emails you, pass the NCLEX, and do not practice until the license is active.¹

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Renew online in GOALS by January 31 of the expiration year; late renewal period is February 1 to February 28. For licenses expiring January 31, 2027 the renewal window opened November 1, 2026.¹

Moving to Georgia with a license from another state

These are the routes the Georgia Board of Nursing publishes for the Registered Nurse (RN) license. The other registered nurse licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

ENLC (Compact) License

Requirements

Exam

NCLEX (NCLEX-RN)¹
Given by: Pearson Vue¹

Also required

Georgia must be the primary state of residence and the nurse must meet the NLC Uniform Licensure Requirements; without a Georgia mailing address, upload a driver's license, voter card, federal tax return, Military Form 2058 or W2 showing residence.¹

Also required

Requires an active Georgia RN license first (upgrade application).¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Hold an active, unencumbered Georgia RN license and have Georgia as your primary state of residence.¹
2. Register with GAPS/Idemia for a fingerprint background check, then apply in GOALS (Apply for a License) and upload residence proof if you have no Georgia mailing address.¹
3. Pay the $50 non-refundable fee.¹

Renewal

When it expires

No separate multistate renewal: renewing the Georgia RN license automatically renews the multistate license (renew by January 31 of the expiration year).²

From another state

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a registered nurse in Georgia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Georgia is on the Georgia license lookup page.

Look up a license

goals.sos.ga.gov¹

File a complaint

sos.ga.gov¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 26 (Nurses)
• O.C.G.A. 43-26-9
• O.C.G.A. 43-26-7
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 410

Common questions

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

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