How to get a single-state Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio

Ohio registered nurse licenses

Ohio 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 Ohio 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

Complete a registered nursing education program approved by the Ohio Board, or by a board of another NCSBN member jurisdiction (foreign-educated graduates via OAC 4723-7-04).⁶
Who may teach it: Ohio programs must be Board-approved under ORC 4723.06 and OAC chapter 4723-5.²
Alternative: Foreign-educated nurse graduates whose education the Board finds acceptable under OAC 4723-7-04 (credentials review and English proficiency, e.g. TOEFL iBT).²

Exam

NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses)²
Given by: Pearson VUE (registration with the testing service is separate from the Board application).¹
When you can take it: Apply to the Board before you finish your program and register with Pearson VUE at the same time; the Board asks the testing service to issue an Authorization to Test once your program confirms completion (Ohio programs send a completion letter; out-of-state programs send an official transcript).¹
Retakes: To retest you file a new licensure-by-examination application with the full application fee and re-register with the testing service. An Authorization to Test not used within one year is void.²

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required⁵
Fingerprint in Ohio by WebCheck (reason code ORC 4723.091, results sent directly to OBN) or, out of state, mail ink BCI and FBI cards with $47.25 to BCI in London, Ohio. Do not send cards to the Board. An in-depth BCI review can take four weeks or longer. The license is granted only if the check shows you are not ineligible under ORC 4723.092.⁵
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁸

Also required

Mandatory reporting: licensees must report a misdemeanour or felony conviction, guilty plea or finding (and diversion/intervention) to the Board within 30 days (OAC 4723-7-08, from February 1, 2024).¹

Also required

Applications not completed within one year are void and the fee is forfeited.²

Fees

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

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Decide which license you need: a multistate license requires Ohio to be your primary state of residence; if you live in another compact state, license there; non-compact residents get an Ohio single-state license.⁹
2. Before you finish your RN program, create an Ohio eLicense account and submit the RN licensure by examination application with the fee plus the $3.50 state transaction fee (card only).¹ elicense.ohio.gov¹
3. Register for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE at the same time; request testing accommodations from the Board in advance if needed.¹
4. Get fingerprinted for BCI and FBI checks (WebCheck in Ohio with reason code ORC 4723.091 and "Direct Copy" to the Board, or ink cards mailed to BCI with $47.25).⁵
5. Your school confirms completion to the Board, which asks the testing service to issue your Authorization to Test; pass the NCLEX-RN.²
6. The license is issued once you pass and the criminal records check clears; verify it on eLicense or Nursys.¹

Apply online

elicense.ohio.gov¹

Temporary or provisional license

Reciprocity applicants licensed in another state: nonrenewable temporary permit up to 180 days. Military/spouses: SB 7 temporary military license (no fee, up to six years).¹

Processing time

Temporary permits for reciprocity applicants licensed in another state are issued within 1-3 business days; an in-depth BCI review can add four weeks or more.⁷

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years³

When it expires

RN licenses renew in odd-numbered years: on time July 1-September 15, late September 16-October 31; an unrenewed license lapses November 1. A license first issued on or after July 1 of an odd year is current through October 31 of the next odd year.¹

Continuing education

At least 24 hours each renewal period⁴

Required topics

At least 1 contact hour of Category A (Ohio nursing law and rules, ORC ch. 4723 and Board rules) each renewal.⁴
Optional: one contact hour on recognizing and handling human trafficking or sexual assault victims may count toward the 24.⁴

Approved courses

CE counts only if approved by the Board or by a person the Board has authorized to approve CE (OBN approvers, accredited providers, approved provider units); Category A must be approved by an OBN approver or offered by an OBN-approved provider unit.⁴

Exemptions

No CE for the first renewal after licensure by NCLEX.¹
Licensed by endorsement for one year or less before first renewal: 12 contact hours including 1 Category A; more than one year: the full 24.⁴
A one-time CE waiver may be used for one renewal period if you notify the Board in writing (not usable for reactivation/reinstatement or audit).⁴
Extra hours do not carry over.⁴

If it expires

A lapsed or inactive license can be reinstated/reactivated at any time with 24 contact hours of CE from the previous 24 months (1 Category A hour if lapsed under 2 years or licensed elsewhere; otherwise 2 Category A hours plus set topic hours), the fee, and new BCI/FBI checks if lapsed or inactive 5 years or more.¹⁰
Practising on an inactive or lapsed license is grounds for discipline.²
If the Board audits CE and you cannot provide proof before the renewal period ends, the license lapses; keep CE records six years.⁴

Renew online

elicense.ohio.gov¹

From another state

Requirements for a single-state Registered Nurse (RN) license

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

Residency or citizenship

A single-state Ohio license is valid only in Ohio; it is the license for nurses who do not reside in an NLC party state (or are not eligible for multistate status).¹¹

How much a single-state 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.

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$65¹ (Biennial single-state RN renewal, July 1-September 15 of odd years)

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $50¹ (renewal submitted September 16-October 31 of the renewal year; total due $115 (single state))
Reinstatement fee: $100¹³ (reinstating a lapsed license: $100 in non-renewal years and Jan 1-Jun 30 / Nov 1-Dec 31 of renewal years; $165 July 1-September 15 and $215 September 16-October 31 of renewal years)
Reinstatement fee: $215¹² (reinstatement application filed September 16-October 31 of an odd (RN renewal) year)
License Reactivation: $0¹² (reactivating an inactive license outside the renewal window; $65 July 1-September 15 and $115 September 16-October 31 of odd years (single-state amounts on fees page))

Moving to Ohio with a license from another state

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

Multistate Registered Nurse (RN) license (MSL)

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

Ohio must be your primary state of residence: submit ONE proof (Ohio driver's license/ID, Ohio voter registration from the Secretary of State, military form 2058, latest federal tax return or current W-2 with an Ohio address). A valid U.S. Social Security number is required.⁹

Social Security number

Valid U.S. Social Security number required for multistate status.⁹

Also required

Multistate (NLC Article III.c) conditions: graduate of an approved prelicensure program, NCLEX passed, active unencumbered license, state+federal fingerprint check, no felony and no nursing-related misdemeanour, not in an alternative program.⁹

Fees

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. Upload one primary-state-of-residence proof (Ohio driver's license/ID, Ohio voter registration, military form 2058, federal tax return or W-2 with Ohio address).⁹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$75¹ (Biennial multistate RN renewal, July 1-September 15 of odd years)

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $50¹ (renewal submitted September 16-October 31 of the renewal year; total due $125 (multistate))
Reinstatement fee: $100¹³ (reinstating a lapsed license: $100 in non-renewal years and Jan 1-Jun 30 / Nov 1-Dec 31 of renewal years; $165 July 1-September 15 and $215 September 16-October 31 of renewal years)
Reinstatement fee: $215¹² (reinstatement application filed September 16-October 31 of an odd (RN renewal) year)
License Reactivation: $0¹² (reactivating an inactive license outside the renewal window; $65 July 1-September 15 and $115 September 16-October 31 of odd years (single-state amounts on fees page))

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 Ohio, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Ohio is on the Ohio license lookup page.

Look up a license

elicense.ohio.gov¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• ORC 4723.08
• ORC 4723.09 (licensure by examination or endorsement; temporary permit)
• ORC 4723.24 (renewal; continuing education; inactive/lapsed)
• ORC 4723.11 (Nurse Licensure Compact)
• OAC chapter 4723-7 (licensure for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses)
• OAC chapter 4723-14 (continuing education)

Rule changes since January 2024

• March 26, 2026: OAC 4723-14 (continuing education) rules re-effective March 26, 2026 (24 contact hours incl. 1 Category A; 12 hours for endorsees licensed one year or less).⁴
• February 1, 2024: OAC 4723-7-08 requires licensees to report criminal convictions and findings to the Board within 30 days.¹

Common questions

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
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• District of Columbia
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