Reinstatement Competency Requirement

Nursing practice, in Kentucky, is defined as "the performance of acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgement, and nursing skill based upon the principles of psychological, biological, physical, and social sciences in the application of the nursing process...."  Generally, if your job requires a nursing license, the definition of nursing practice is satisfied.

You may meet the nursing practice requirement for reinstatement by using one of the following methods:

1. 500 hours of employment as a nurse in a state other than Kentucky within 5 years of the date your application is received at KBN:
   
   Include a copy of an active nursing license from the state where you were employed those 500 hours.
   
   If your employment was out-of-state have the employer submit a verification of employment form to KBN. Application Attachment 1 [PDF Format - 15k] is the Verification of Employment Form.  (Note:  Attachment 1 is included when you download the Reinstatement Application Form.)  The employer must mail or fax the completed form to KBN.  No Kentucky employment will be accepted.
   
   OR
   
   
2. Continuing Education:
   
   If your Kentucky nursing license lapsed within 5 years of the date of the application for reinstatement, you may submit proof of earning 14 continuing education (CE) credits for each year lapsed with a minimum of 28 continuing education requirements.  All CE must have been earned no more than 24 months prior to the date of applying for reinstatement.
   
   OR
   
   

3. If you have not worked as a nurse for 500 hours within the 5 years preceding the date your application is received at KBN, you will be required to do one of the following BEFORE you will be issued an active Kentucky nursing license:
   
   Submit proof of having completed a KBN approved refresher course, no more than two years prior to the date your application is received at KBN.

...see list of approved refresher courses
         

OR

Submit proof of having completed 120 contact hours of continuing education, earned no more than one year prior to the date your application is received at KBN.  

...see list of approved providers