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

Virginia registered nurse licenses

Virginia 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 Virginia 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

Required¹

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required⁵
Fingerprints go through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the FBI, scheduled through Fieldprint with the VBON Fieldprint Code issued after applying; court documents go to the DHP CBC unit. The Board may refuse a license for grounds in Va. Code 54.1-3007.⁵

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.

2. Every license level except Registered Nurse Provisional License

What it covers

Professional nursing for compensation: observation, care and counsel of the ill or injured, health maintenance and illness prevention, supervision and teaching of nursing care, delegation of selected tasks to trained unlicensed persons, and giving medications and treatments ordered by an authorized prescriber.¹

Requirements

Education or training

At least 500 clock hours²
Diploma or degree from an approved professional (RN) nursing education program that included at least 500 direct client care hours across the lifespan.²
Who may teach it: Board-approved nursing program (Virginia) or a state-approved program elsewhere; out-of-state graduates must have clinical hours per course shown on the final transcript.²
Alternative: Graduates whose program had too few clinical hours can qualify for a provisional license to complete the 500 supervised hours (LPNs get 150 hours credit).³
Alternative: Military training and experience may be accepted toward the education requirement.¹
Alternative: Internationally educated applicants: credentials evaluation (the Board accepts a CGFNS CES report or CGFNS Certificate and a Josef Silny & Associates report) and a CGFNS-approved English proficiency exam unless exempt under CGFNS criteria.⁷

Exam

NCLEX-RN³
Given by: Pearson VUE (register separately right after applying to the Board)²
When you can take it: Eligible once the Board has the application, fee and an official transcript or attestation of graduation, and has found no grounds to deny.³
Retakes: After a failure, file a repeat exam application with the $50 reapplication fee; no attempt limit stated.³
Time limit: A new application and the reapplication fee are needed if the exam is not taken within 12 months of eligibility, or eligibility is not established within 12 months of the original filing.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.

How to apply

1. Read the Board's laws and regulations and the application instructions, then apply online through DHP (exam and endorsement applications are online only) and pay the $190 fee.⁷ license.dhp.virginia.gov²
2. Exam applicants: register and pay for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE immediately after applying so the Authorization to Test is not delayed.⁷
3. Use the VBON Fieldprint Code from your confirmation to book fingerprinting with Fieldprint.²
4. Exam applicants: have the school send the final transcript or (Virginia programs) an attestation of graduation. Endorsement applicants: request license verification from the original exam state through Nursys.²
5. Track the application in the DHP portal; it is held one year, after which a new application and fee are needed.²

Apply online

license.dhp.virginia.gov²

Temporary or provisional license

Exam applicants with a Board authorization letter may practice as "R.N. Applicant" for no more than 90 days between program completion and publication of first exam results; endorsement applicants may practice 30 days on an authorization-to-practice letter (an extension can be requested); SSN-less applicants may get a 90-day single-state temporary license; a provisional license lets graduates complete the 500 supervised clinical hours.³

Processing time

About 30 business days from the date the application fee posts to the checklist.²

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

When it expires

Renew by the last day of the birth month every two years: even-numbered birth years renew in even-numbered years, odd in odd years. The license lapses automatically if not renewed.³

Renewal fee

$140³

Required topics

Bias reduction training is now required at every biennial renewal under Va. Code 54.1-2928.4 (2026 Acts cc. 450, 451). The Board still has to adopt the implementing regulation: 18VAC90-19-160 does not mention it yet.⁹

Approved courses

Contact hours must come from providers recognized or approved by bodies listed in the rule (ANCC/ANA, NCSBN, AHEC, any state nurses association, NLN, licensed health care facilities, accredited colleges, government agencies, any state board of nursing, etc.).³

Exemptions

Exempt for the first renewal after initial licensure by exam or endorsement.³
Extension of up to one year for good cause on written request 60 days before renewal; exemptions for disability, mandatory military service or declared disasters.³
Keep CE documentation for two years and produce it within 30 days if audited.³

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $50³ (lapsed within one renewal period (current renewal fee + late fee))
Renewal fee: $70³ (inactive license)
Late renewal fee: $25³ (inactive license)
Reinstatement fee: $225³ (lapsed more than one renewal period)

Renew online

dhp.virginia.gov⁷

From another state

Who needs a single-state Registered Nurse license

Work that does not need this license:

• Va. Code 54.1-3001 lists persons the nursing chapter does not apply to (exemptions).¹

Requirements for a single-state Registered Nurse 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

For nurses who live in Virginia but do not meet every NLC requirement, or who live in a non-compact state. Nurses whose primary residence is another compact state must get their license in that state.²

Social Security number

Applicants without an SSN can get a 90-day single-state temporary license; a permanent license needs an SSN.⁷

Renewal and continuing education

If it expires

Lapsed within one renewal period: pay the current renewal fee plus the late fee and attest to one continued-competency activity in the past two years.³
Lapsed more than one renewal period: reinstatement application and fee, CE evidence and a new fingerprint background check; CE can be waived for nurses actively practicing on another state license. Revoked licenses: wait three years.³
Practising on a lapsed license is illegal practice.³
Inactive status: biennial inactive fee; no practice in Virginia or on a multistate privilege; reactivate by paying the fee difference and showing CE.³

Registered Nurse Provisional License

Lets a graduate who has passed the NCLEX complete the 500 hours of supervised direct client care an approved RN program requires; practice only under an on-site supervising RN (max two provisional licensees per supervisor), with provisional status disclosed to clients.³

Requirements

Education or training

At least 500 clock hours²
Diploma or degree from an approved professional (RN) nursing education program that included at least 500 direct client care hours across the lifespan.²
Who may teach it: Board-approved nursing program (Virginia) or a state-approved program elsewhere; out-of-state graduates must have clinical hours per course shown on the final transcript.²
Alternative: Military training and experience may be accepted toward the education requirement.¹
Alternative: Internationally educated applicants: credentials evaluation (the Board accepts a CGFNS CES report or CGFNS Certificate and a Josef Silny & Associates report) and a CGFNS-approved English proficiency exam unless exempt under CGFNS criteria.⁷

Experience

At least 500 hours of on-the-job training³
Supervised direct, hands-on clinical experience in adult medical/surgical, geriatric, maternal/infant, mental health/psychiatric, fundamentals and pediatric nursing; program clinical hours on the transcript count.³
Supervision: RN supervisor with an active unrestricted license (or multistate privilege) and at least two years of RN clinical practice who notifies the Board and documents the supervision.³
Substitute: Current LPN license: 150 hours credit.³
Substitute: 100 hours credit for graduates of competency-based programs (ACE-evaluated summative clinical assessment, NCLEX first-time pass rate at least 80%).³

Exam

NCLEX-RN³
Given by: Pearson VUE (register separately right after applying to the Board)²
When you can take it: NCLEX must already be passed before the provisional license is issued.³
Retakes: After a failure, file a repeat exam application with the $50 reapplication fee; no attempt limit stated.³
Time limit: A new application and fee are needed if the exam is not taken within 12 months of eligibility, or eligibility is not established within 12 months of filing.³

Fees

How to apply

1. Pass the NCLEX-RN and file the RN licensure-by-examination application with fee and fingerprint background check, with proof the nursing program was completed.³
2. Arrange an eligible RN supervisor, who notifies the Board on its form before supervising.³
3. Complete the remaining supervised hours across the required clinical areas and submit supervisor verification of hours and areas to obtain the full RN license.³

Renewal

How often

Every 6 months³

When it expires

Expires six months after issue; renewable once for six months; beyond 12 months only for good cause, requested at least 30 days before expiry.³

From another state

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

Multistate Registered Nurse license

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

Virginia must be the primary state of residence (proof: current Virginia driver's license, voter registration card, or DD Form 2058 for active-duty military/spouses).²

Social Security number

A valid U.S. Social Security number is required for a multistate license.¹

Also required

Must meet all 11 NLC Uniform Licensure Requirements, attested at application and every renewal (no felony, not in an alternative program, active unencumbered license, etc.).¹⁰

How to apply

1. Provide proof of Virginia primary state of residence if Board staff ask (Virginia driver's license, voter card or DD Form 2058).²

Renewal

If it expires

Lapsed within one renewal period: pay the current renewal fee plus the late fee and attest to one continued-competency activity in the past two years.³
Lapsed more than one renewal period: reinstatement application and fee, CE evidence and a new fingerprint background check; CE can be waived for nurses actively practicing on another state license. Revoked licenses: wait three years.³
Practising on a lapsed license is illegal practice.³
Inactive status: biennial inactive fee; no practice in Virginia or on a multistate privilege; reactivate by paying the fee difference and showing CE.³
At each renewal the nurse declares a primary state of residence; a nurse who declares another compact state cannot renew the Virginia license.³

From another state

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

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

dhp.virginiainteractive.org⁷

File a complaint

dhp.virginia.gov⁷

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Va. Code §§ 54.1-3000 to 54.1-3018.2 (Nursing; RN qualifications 54.1-3017, provisional license 54.1-3017.1, endorsement 54.1-3018, renewal 54.1-3011)
• Va. Code § 54.1-3005.1 (criminal history background checks)
• Va. Code §§ 54.1-3040.1 to 54.1-3040.11 (Nurse Licensure Compact)
• Va. Code § 54.1-2928.4 (bias reduction training; 2026 cc. 450, 451)
• 18VAC90-19 Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing
• 18VAC90-19-30 Fees

Common questions

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

• Alabama
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