An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Information regarding the process to obtain a license by examination
The process to apply for licensure by examination is the same for LPNs and RNs.
Please review the below list of application requirements and additional information.
Kentucky Board of Nursing ATTN: Examination 312 Whittington Pkwy., Suite 300 Louisville, Kentucky 40222
If you have any criminal convictions, they will need to be reported on your application. The exception to this is traffic misdemeanors, other than DUIs. For information about what qualifies as a criminal conviction please review the Mandatory Reporting of Criminal Convictions.
Graduates of Kentucky programs of nursing have met the following requirements. All others must earn:
Review the information regarding provisional licenses.
If you are unsuccessful on the NCLEX, your exam application will be voided and you will have to reapply. In addition, your provisional license is invalidated upon unsuccessful completion of NCLEX. In this event, the provisional licensee must immediately cease practicing in a licensed nursing position.
Kentucky does not issue license cards. You will receive an email notification when the provisional license or license has been issued.
Applications and documents are reviewed within 14 days. However, if you respond "Yes" to the disciplinary or conviction questions it can take up to three months to process your application.