Military

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​LPN, RN, APRN, and SANE licensure/credential renewal occurs between September 15 – October 31, 2023​​​. This page contains information specific to active military renewals and information for nurses who are active military and who are deployed overseas during the licensure renewal period.


Information on active military renewals for nurses stationed stateside

KRS 36.450 and KRS 12.355 require KBN to renew the license, without the required renewal fee and continuing competency requirement, of an active duty military licensee who provides one of the following:

  • PCS orders
  • AF Form 899
  • DD 214
  • Mobilization orders

Copies of the above may be submitted through the message center in your KBN Nurse Portal account. You may send the message to the category ‘Credentials’ and upload a copy of one of the items above. Upon receipt of the required document, your license may be renewed through the next licensure period.

A renewal application must be submitted during the renewal period unless the nurse is active duty and deployed overseas. The renewal application contains a question where you will be able to indicate that you are active military.


Who is considered active military?

Active-duty military includes those nurses who are based stateside or deployed overseas. Not included in these groups are individuals working for the Federal government, such as civilian VA nurses, public health nurses employed by the federal government, or National Guard nurses who are not on full, active-duty.


What do I do if my branch of service requires me to pay the renewal fee?

The waiving of the renewal fee and continuing competency requirement does not restrict the license from the KBN standpoint. It is still considered full licensure in Kentucky, however, you should be aware of any policies your branch of service has toward waived fees. During online renewal, an option is available for active-duty military licensees who wish to voluntary pay a renewal fee, even though such payments are not required.


Information on renewals for active duty military who will be deployed overseas during the renewal period

If you are active duty military and will be deployed overseas during the renewal period, you have two options:

  1. Submit a copy of the official overseas deployment orders showing a return date to KBN. Your license will be renewed to reflect an expiration date through the renewal period that corresponds with your deployment orders. You will not be required to pay the renewal fee, and you will be exempt from meeting the continuing competency requirement. You are not required to submit a fee, and you are exempt from meeting the continuing competency requirement.
  2. Do nothing until you are reassigned to the USA. You will have 90 days after your return to request the renewal of your license. You must submit a copy of the orders you receive for your reassignment to the United States. You will not be required to pay the renewal fee, and you will be exempt from meeting the continuing competency requirement.

What do I do if I accidentally marked yes to the military question, but I am not an active member of the military?

If you answer "yes" in error to the military question you may upload the correction letter through the message center in your KBN Nurse Portal account using the category ‘Credentials’.

Who is considered active military?

Active duty military includes those nurses who are based stateside or deployed overseas. Not included in these groups are individuals working for the Federal government, such as civilian VA nurses, public health nurses employed by the federal government, or National Guard nurses who are not on full, active duty.​​

What do I do if my branch of service requires me to pay the renewal fee?

The waiving of the renewal fee and continuing competency requirement does not restrict the license from the KBN standpoint. It is still considered full licensure in Kentucky, however, you should be aware of any policies your branch of service has toward waived fees. During online renewal, an option is available for active duty military licensees who wish to voluntary pay a renewal fee, even though such payments are not required.​

What do I do if I accidentally marked yes to the military question but I am not an active member of the military?​​

​If you answer "yes" in error to the military question you may upload the correction letter at https://ssla.state.ky.us/kbnursing/SearchDocument.aspx​.

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