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

Utah registered nurse licenses

Utah issues 3 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 several of the Utah registered nurse licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

High school diploma or equivalent.³

How to apply

Apply online

dopl-egov.commerce.utah.gov⁷

2. Every license level except Registered Nurse Apprentice

What it covers

An RN may assess health status, identify needs, plan and implement care, prescribe nursing interventions, evaluate responses, teach nursing, and manage and supervise nursing practice.³

Requirements

Education or training

Complete a Division-approved RN education program; DOPL's exam page asks for official transcripts from an ACEN-, CCNE- or COA-accredited program, sent directly from the school (or by the registrar's secure e-mail).⁸
Who may teach it: Approved = accredited program meeting 58-31b-601 standards; non-accredited programs follow R156-31b-601.²
Alternative: Graduate of a non-approved program: a CGFNS Certification Program Verification Letter, or meeting the endorsement requirements of 58-1-302.²

Exam

NCLEX-RN²
Given by: Pearson VUE delivers the NCLEX (registration through NCSBN); you register and pay Pearson VUE directly and need a DOPL Authorization to Test.⁸
When you can take it: Apply to DOPL for Authorization to Test after graduating from an ACEN-, CCNE- or COA-accredited program with official transcripts sent to DOPL (foreign graduates: CGFNS/CES evidence), having registered and paid for the NCLEX, and not being a resident of another compact state. The FAQ says to register during your last term of the program.⁸
Time limit: Pass within five years of graduation; otherwise complete another approved nursing program before trying again.²
Exam waived: Graduates of non-approved programs may qualify without the Division's alternative exam if currently licensed as an RN in a U.S. jurisdiction or Canada and they passed the NCLEX-RN in English; endorsement applicants do not retest.⁹

Background check

Background check required³
Fingerprints required⁶
DOPL runs a Utah BCI and FBI fingerprint search. Fingerprint at DOPL's Salt Lake City office by appointment (no extra charge; submit the application first) or mail two FD-258 cards with the application. Missing fingerprints are the top cause of denial; a complete application takes about 21 days. Violent-felony convictions trigger action under 58-1-401; other felonies are assessed case by case.⁶
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹⁰

Social Security number

Identity proof for Authorization to Test may be an SSN, A-number or ITIN (internationally trained page); a multistate license needs a valid U.S. SSN.¹¹

Also required

Physical and mental health sufficient to practice safely, and meet with the Board if asked.³

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. Graduate (or be in your final term) and have official transcripts sent to DOPL; foreign graduates get a credential evaluation first.⁸
2. Register and pay for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE.⁸
3. Apply to DOPL for Authorization to Test (online or by mail/in person).⁸
4. Submit the RN license application online through DOPL eGov (or on paper) with the $60 fee, then book fingerprinting at DOPL or mail two FD-258 cards.⁷ dopl-egov.commerce.utah.gov⁷
5. Pass the NCLEX; DOPL gets results the next business day and you can check the license lookup for issuance.⁵

Processing time

About 21 days for a complete application.⁶

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁴

Renewal fee

$68¹⁰ (Biennial RN renewal)

Continuing education

At least 30 hours each renewal period²

Required topics

Continuing competency (one of, in the two years before renewal): at least 400 hours of licensed practice; at least 200 hours of practice plus 15 contact hours of approved CE; or 30 contact hours of approved CE.¹²
Suicide prevention: view a DOPL suicide-prevention video at each renewal and submit proof (each listed training counts for 0.5 CE credit).⁴

Approved courses

"Approved continuing education" (R156-31b-102(5)) is CE approved by a nationally or internationally recognized approver of health-related professional CE; nursing courses from an approved nursing education program; health-related coursework from an institution accredited by a regional or national accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; CE approved by any state board of nursing; or Division training or presentations.²

Exemptions

A CE waiver can be requested under the general DOPL rule (R156-1-308d), which also gives credit for volunteer service.¹³

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $20¹³ (renewal filed within 30 days after expiry (plus the renewal fee))
Reinstatement fee: $50¹² (renewal filed 31 days to 2 years after expiry (plus the renewal fee))

If it expires

Expired under 2 years: renew online or on paper with the renewal fee plus the $20 or $50 reinstatement fee. Over 2 years: apply as a new applicant and meet current requirements.¹²
Lapsed Utah RN returning after time out of practice: up to 5 years out, show current continuing competency; more than 5 but under 8 years, pass the NCLEX-RN within 60 days of applying or complete an approved re-entry program; 8 years or more, both a re-entry program and the NCLEX-RN.²

Renew online

dopl-egov.commerce.utah.gov⁷

From another state

Who needs a single-state Registered Nurse (RN) license

Work that does not need this license:

• Exemptions from licensure are listed in Utah Code 58-1-307 and 58-31b-308 (not summarized here).¹

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

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Residency or citizenship

A Utah single-state license is for RNs whose primary state of residence is not another compact state (e.g. residents of non-NLC states) or who do not meet the multistate requirements. Residents of another compact state must get authorization to test and their license from their home state.⁸

Renewal and continuing education

Registered Nurse Apprentice

RN practice defined by DOPL rule, performed under the indirect supervision of an APRN/RN-level nurse, physician (MD) or osteopathic physician.³

Requirements

Education or training

Be enrolled and in good standing in an approved RN education program and in its last two semesters, quarters or competency experiences, with written permission from the program; the program sends DOPL a Certificate of Academic Status (at its sole discretion).²
Who may teach it: Approved RN education program.³

Exam

Not required³

Background check

Background check required³
Same criminal background check as other nursing applicants (Utah Code 58-1-301.5).³
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹⁰

Also required

Sufficient physical and mental health; meet with the Board if requested.³

Fees

How to apply

1. Ask your RN program for written permission and for it to send DOPL a Certificate of Academic Status.¹⁵
2. Apply online (DOPL eGov) or on the paper RN Apprentice Application and pay the $35 fee.¹⁰

Temporary or provisional license

The apprentice license is itself temporary: it ends at one year, 75 days after a failed/missed NCLEX notice, or on RN licensure, whichever is first, unless DOPL extends it in writing.¹⁶

Renewal

When it expires

Expires on the earliest of one year after issue, 75 days after DOPL is told you failed or did not take the NCLEX-RN, or RN licensure, unless DOPL extends it in writing.¹⁶

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Multistate Registered Nurse (RN) license

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

Utah must be your primary state of residence: DOPL multistate (compact) licenses go to RNs who live in Utah and meet the NLC uniform licensure requirements, which include a valid U.S. Social Security number. A party-state nurse who moves to Utah must apply within 90 days of establishing residency.⁶

Also required

NLC uniform requirements for a multistate license include: NCLEX-RN pass, fingerprint-based state and federal background check, no felony conviction, no nursing-related misdemeanour (case-by-case), not in an alternative program, self-disclosure of alternative-program participation, and a valid U.S. SSN.¹⁷

How to apply

1. Utah residents meeting the uniform licensure requirements may be issued a multistate (compact) license; see DOPL's "Utah specific requirements".⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Utah Code ch. 58-31b (Nurse Practice Act), §§ 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 309
• Utah Code ch. 58-31e (Nurse Licensure Compact - Revised)
• Utah Code 58-1-302 (license by endorsement)
• Utah Admin. Code R156-31b (Nurse Practice Act Rule)
• Utah Admin. Code R156-1 (DOPL general rule: renewal dates, reinstatement)
• H.B. 8 (2026 G.S.) State Agency Fees and Internal Service Fund Rate Authorization, Section 3 (DOPL Nursing)
• Utah Code 58-31b-302(6) and 58-31b-306.1
• Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-302c
• H.B. 8 (2026 G.S.), Section 3

Rule changes since January 2024

• May 6, 2026: H.B. 2026 ch. 96 amended the Nurse Practice Act licensing sections (58-31b-301, -302, -304, -306.1); 58-31b-302 was repealed and re-enacted.³ 58-31b-306.1 amended by H.B. 2026 ch. 96.¹⁶

Common questions

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

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