Prelicensure Program Application Process

According to KRS 314.111, an institution desiring to conduct a program of nursing shall apply to the Board and submit evidence that it is prepared to carry out the minimum approved basic curriculum in nursing and that it is prepared to fulfill other requirements or standards which are established by the Board.

No person shall operate a nursing education program or school of nursing without complying with the provisions established by the Board of Nursing. Without state Board of Nursing approval, graduates of a program are not eligible to take the national licensing examination.

The application process consists of three phases: Letter of Intent, Proposal, and Developmental Status.

Letter of Intent is the first step to establish the intent to conduct a nursing program and acquaint the board with information about the requesting institution and evidence that there is a need and support for the program in the designated community.

If the Board accepts the Letter of Intent, the institution moves into the Proposal phase where more concrete information is provided to assure the Board of the capacity to open and sustain a quality educational program.

Developmental status permits the institution to begin to implement the program by advertising and recruiting students. By regulation a program must admit a class within 18 months of receiving Developmental approval or the Board may withdraw approval.

The New Program of Nursing Application Process [PDF Format - 122KB] packet details the forms and requirements for each phase of the approval process.

Questions should be addressed to the Education Assistant, Lila Hicks, at (502) 429-7179 or via e-mail.

If you'd like to receive this material in a Word document, contact the Education Assistant, Lila Hicks, at (502) 429-7179 or via e-mail.

Prelicensure programs in good standing in Kentucky may request permission from the Board to open another site which is distant from the main campus. Regulation 201 KAR 20:290 Standards for prelicensure registered nurse and practical nurse secondary or distance sites defines a "secondary or distance learning site" as a nonmain location where educational activities are conducted.

To qualify to open a secondary site, the program must meet the following criteria:

• The program of nursing shall hold Full approval for a minimum of three (3) years;
• First-time test takers from the program of nursing shall have achieved an overall pass rate of 85 percent (85%) on the NCLEX examination for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years; and,
• A student must be able to obtain fifty percent (50%) or more of the necessary credits toward a degree or diploma at t his distant site or via an electronic method.

An Application for Secondary Site [PDF Format - 110KB] is available.