How to get a single-state Registered Nurse license in Texas

Texas registered nurse licenses

Texas 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 Texas registered nurse license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

What it covers

Professional nursing: acts requiring substantial specialized judgment and skill based on a completed course in an approved school of professional nursing, including observation, assessment, intervention, evaluation, care, counsel and health teaching; it excludes medical diagnosis and prescribing.¹

Requirements

Education or training

Complete an approved professional (RN) nursing education program: a Texas Board-approved program, or an out-of-state program with substantially equivalent standards (state-approved, general education, and supervised clinical experience in medical-surgical, maternal/child, pediatric, geriatric and mental health nursing). International graduates need a Credential Evaluation Service full education course-by-course report and, if not taught in English, an accepted English proficiency exam.⁵
Who may teach it: The program dean/director submits an Affidavit of Graduation (electronically for Texas programs; sealed paper form by email for other U.S. programs).⁵
Alternative: Graduates of clinical competency assessment programs not deemed equivalent may receive a provisional license after passing NCLEX-RN, then complete 500 supervised clinical hours or an approved Texas clinical program.²

Exam

NCLEX-RN²
Given by: Pearson VUE⁵
When you can take it: After the Board receives the NCLEX application and fee, fingerprint results, Pearson VUE registration, NJE pass and Affidavit of Graduation, it reviews for an Authorization to Test (ATT) within 15 business days; the ATT is valid 75 days.⁵
Retakes: Retake by filing an NCLEX RETEST application and re-registering with Pearson VUE ($200); you must still be within four years of graduation.⁵
Time limit: Must pass within four years of completing graduation requirements; otherwise a new approved nursing program is required (a refresher course does not count).²
Exam waived: Not retaken by nurses licensed by examination in another U.S. jurisdiction (licensure by endorsement).⁸

Exam

Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (NJE)⁹
Given by: Texas Board of Nursing (online exam registered through the BON website)⁵
Passing score: 50 questions; 75% (at least 38 correct) to pass; two hours; open-resource; one sitting.¹⁰
When you can take it: May be taken at any time during the application process; required before the ATT is issued.⁹
Retakes: Unlimited retakes after 24 hours.¹⁰
Time limit: A passing NJE result is valid for licensure for one year.⁹
Exam waived: Not required again if already passed for another or similar Texas license.⁹

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
Applications ask about criminal history, discipline, substance use and other regulatory history; positive answers trigger an eligibility review.¹¹
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹

Also required

Good professional character related to the practice of nursing.¹

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. Graduate from a Texas-approved RN program (or a substantially equivalent out-of-state program). Your program director files the Affidavit of Graduation.⁵
2. Create a Texas Nurse Portal account and submit the "NCLEX-RN Application – U.S. Graduates" with the fee ($75 including NJE per BON).⁵ bon.texas.gov⁵
3. Complete DPS/FBI fingerprinting for the criminal background check (IdentoGO for Texas residents).¹²
4. Register and pay Pearson VUE ($200), ideally 30 days before graduation.⁵
5. Pass the online Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam.⁵
6. Receive your Authorization to Test (and Graduate Nurse permit if eligible), valid 75 days; take the NCLEX-RN.⁵
7. After a pass, the permanent license is issued within 15 business days of results.⁵

Apply online

bon.texas.gov⁵

Temporary or provisional license

New graduates may practice as a Graduate Nurse (GN) under direct RN supervision for up to 75 days pending the first NCLEX attempt (not issued after a failed exam). Endorsement applicants may get a non-renewable 120-day temporary license. Six-month permits cover refresher courses for nurses out of practice 4+ years.¹³

Processing time

Exam route: ATT review within 15 business days of the last item; license within 15 business days after a passing NCLEX result. Endorsement: final licensure within 15 business days of the last item. Renewals: allow up to 20 business days.⁵

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years³

When it expires

Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month every two years (even birth year = even years, odd = odd); the first license runs 6 to 29 months. Renewal opens the first day of the month before expiry.²

Renewal fee

$68³

Continuing education

20 hours each renewal period⁴

Required topics

Nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics: at least 2 contact hours before the end of every third two-year licensing period (all nurses; certification cannot substitute).⁴
Older adult or geriatric care: at least 2 contact hours every licensing period if your practice includes older adults (or maintain a related certification).⁴
Human trafficking prevention: an HHSC-approved course every licensing period for nurses who provide direct patient care.⁴
Forensic evidence collection: one-time 2 contact hours within two years of starting work in an emergency room setting.⁴

Approved courses

CNE must come from programs approved by a credentialing agency or provider recognized by the Board (e.g. ANCC, AACN, colleges and universities, other state boards of nursing).⁴

Exemptions

First renewal: nurses licensed by examination or endorsement are exempt from the 20 contact hours/certification for the first licensing period, except targeted CE.¹⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $60³ (delinquent less than 90 days: $60 plus $68 renewal fee)
Late renewal fee: $120³ (delinquent more than 90 days: $120 plus $68 renewal fee)

If it expires

From September 1, 2026, CE must be entered in the CE Module of the Texas Nurse Portal before submitting a renewal (except first-renewal waiver).¹⁴
An unrenewed license becomes "delinquent"; you may not practice on it. Delinquent under 4 years: reactivate with 20 contact hours from the prior two years plus the renewal fee and late fee.¹⁴
Not practicing and no current license anywhere for 4+ years: refresher course/extensive orientation/academic program under a six-month temporary permit, NJE certificate, 20 contact hours, application and fees.¹³
Inactive, retired and volunteer-retired status are available instead of renewing.¹⁴

Renew online

bon.texas.gov⁵

From another state

Who needs a single-state Registered Nurse license

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Students in approved nursing programs practicing as part of their program.¹
• Nurses licensed in another state who are in Texas on a nonroutine basis for up to 72 hours to care for a patient being transported into, out of or through Texas, provide nursing consulting services, or attend or present a continuing nursing education program.¹

Requirements for a single-state Registered Nurse license

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

Social Security number

Applicants without a U.S. Social Security number can be fingerprinted using separate BON instructions; a single-state license does not require an SSN under the compact.¹⁵

Renewal and continuing education

Moving to Texas with a license from another state

These are the routes BON publishes for the single-state Registered Nurse license. The other registered nurse licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Multistate Registered Nurse license

Requirements

Social Security number

A valid U.S. Social Security number is required for a multistate license.¹⁵

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

Look up a license

bon.texas.gov¹²

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Tex. Occ. Code ch. 301 (Nursing Practice Act)
• Tex. Occ. Code ch. 304 (Nurse Licensure Compact)
• 22 TAC 217.2 (licensure by examination)
• 22 TAC 217.5 (temporary license and endorsement)
• 22 TAC 217.6 (failure to renew license)
• 22 TAC 217.17 (Nursing Jurisprudence Exam)
• 22 TAC 216.3 (continuing competency requirements)
• 22 TAC 223.1

Rule changes since January 2024

• September 1, 2026: 22 TAC ch. 216 amended (S.B. 912): CE must be logged in the Texas Nurse Portal CE Module before renewal.¹⁶
• June 3, 2026: New 22 TAC 217.8: proof of legal authorization to work in the U.S. required for licensure and renewal.¹⁷
• November 30, 2025: 22 TAC 217.5 (temporary license and endorsement) amended (HB 5629, "similar in scope of practice" standard for military).⁶

Common questions

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
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