Licensure by Examination
Go to NCLEX Eligibility Changes for new information.
In order to receive a Kentucky nursing license, an applicant is required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Administrative regulation 201 KAR 20:070 has been filed with the Legislative Research Commission. Effectively immediately, all applicants for licensure may be made eligible to sit for NCLEX and be issued a provisional license. Passing NCLEX and completion of the clinical internship are required by law in order to be licensed as a nurse in Kentucky.
All applicants who previously applied to KBN and were issued a provisional license will be made eligible within the next 48 hours, if they registered with Pearson/VUE. The ATT will be sent by Pearson/Vue to the email address the applicant provided when registering for NCLEX. You must allow 48 hours after you register with Pearson/Vue for KBN to make you eligible to test.
Upon completion of the 120-hour clinical internship, you must submit the Verification of Completion of the Clinical Internship Form before a permanent license will be issued.
See below for more specific information.
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Application Status |
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You may check the status of your application from the following secure site:
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Licensure Process |
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Submit to KBN a completed Examination Application Form [PDF Format - 85k] including:
Note: Allow 14 days for an application to be reviewed.
KBN must have Evidence of Graduation.
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Kentucky programs will submit a Certified List of Graduates.
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Out-of-state programs may submit a Certified List of Graduates from Out-of-State Programs of Nursing or an official transcript, with degree and date degree was conferred.
KBN will:
Applicant will receive the Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson/VUE:
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Within 48 hours if a valid email address was provided.
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Up to 4 weeks if postal mail is required.
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May schedule a test date.
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May begin clinical internship.
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May test before completing the internship.
KBN will receive test results from Pearson/VUE:
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If KBN received verification of completion of the clinical internship and the applicant passed NCLEX, a permanent license will be issued within 4 weeks of test date.
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If KBN did not receive verification of completion of the clinical internship and the applicant passed NCLEX, the applicant must complete the internship. After KBN receives evidence of verification of the internship, a permanent license will be issued.
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If KBN received verification of completion of the clinical internship and the applicant did not pass NCLEX, the provisional license will be void. The applicant may no longer practice in a licensed position and may retest ( Apply to Retake). A permanent license will be issued within 4 weeks of successfully passing NCLEX. -
If KBN did not receive verification of completion of the clinical internship and the applicant did not pass NCLEX, the provisional license will be void. The applicant may no longer practice in a licensed position and may retest ( Apply to Retake). When KBN is notified that the applicant passed NCLEX, a second provisional license will be issued, and the applicant must begin the 120-hour internship from the beginning. No credit will be given for hours completed previously. When the applicant completes the internship and submits verification of completion of the internship, KBN will issue a permanent license.
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Have you previously taken NCLEX in Kentucky or another state? |
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Requirements for Retaking the NCLEX.
Prelicensure Practical Nursing Role Delineation Course [PDF Format - 17k]: RN graduates who fail the NCLEX-RN may apply to take the NCLEX-PN. Additional information is provided in this link. (Reference: 201 KAR 20:070)
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