Licensure Requirements
Please review the below list of application requirements and additional information.
Complete the application and submit the fee.
- Submit the application through the
Kentucky Board of Nursing Nurse Portal. You will need to create an account through the nurse portal and then you will select Apply for a License located on the Nurse Portal Dashboard.
- Pay application fee of $125 (ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE)
- Initial Exam Applications are valid for one year unless you are
Unsuccessful on the NCLEX twice in that timeframe, the application will be voided.
- You will have to reapply for the Examination RETEST application after the 2nd unsuccessful attempt.
- If requirements are not met within one year, your application will expire, and you will have to start the process over again.
- A
provisional license is valid for six months, unless the applicant has failed the NCLEX examination twice during that period, it will then be voided.
- In this event, the provisional licensee must immediately cease practicing in a licensed nursing position.
- As a nurse educated outside the U.S. seeking to work in the United States, you must follow
U.S. federal immigration law and meet the basic educational and/or professional requirements.
- Special Accommodations - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), KBN provides reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities that may interfere with their performance on the NCLEX to apply for special accommodations for the NCLEX.
- Please complete the
ADA Accommodation Request Form and submit all required documentation through your Kentucky Board of Nursing Nurse Portal Message Center using the "RN/LPN Examination" category.
- For more information on testing accommodations through Pearson Vue, please visit the
Pearson Vue Test Accommodations page.
Pass the Jurisprudence Exam with a score of 80% or higher
- Complete the
Jurisprudence Examination after completing the application.
- The Jurisprudence Examination cannot be accessed prior to having a current application on file with the KBN.
Complete the state and federal criminal background check through IdentoGO®.
Credential Evaluation
If you have previously received a VisaScreen Certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School (CGFNS), submit your VisaScreen Certificate through your Nurse Portal message center category "RN/LPN Examination."
If you have not received a VisaScreen Certificate, please complete the Credential Evaluation from an approved provider (see list below) and complete the English Language Proficiency with a passing score (see list below).
You will need to request/apply for a Credential Evaluation. You may use one of the following approved Credential Evaluation companies. If you have received a credential evaluation previously by another provider you may request that document be sent to the Kentucky Board of Nursing for review. Once the evaluation has been completed, the report needs to be sent to the Kentucky Board of Nursing at KBN.Credentials@ky.gov or by mail to:
- Kentucky Board of Nursing
- ATTN: Examination
- 312 Whittington Pkwy Suite 300
- Louisville, KY 40222
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)- 215-222-8454
- We will accept the CES report.
ECE - Educational Credential Evaluators- 414-289-3400
- We will accept either the General Evaluation Report or the Course By Course Report. We cannot use the General with Grade Average.
IEE – International Education Evaluations, LLC
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants
SpanTran: The Evaluation Company- 713-266-8805
- Accepting General Analysis Evaluations
English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Score
You must take and pass the English Language Proficiency Exam. The full list of English Language Proficiency Exams that we will accept are:
NOTE: If you enrolled in a college/university and passed an english course, we will accept an unofficial transcript reflecting the passed course.
For more information on the tests and their acceptable scores, please visit:
https://www.cgfns.org/services/certification/visascreen-visa-credentials-assessment/
Once you have taken and passed the exam with the qualifying score, the report needs to be sent to the Kentucky Board of Nursing at KBN.Credentials@ky.gov or by mail to:
- Kentucky Board of Nursing
- ATTN: Examination
- 312 Whittington Pkwy Suite 300
- Louisville, KY 40222
Complete the Pearson Vue NCLEX Registration and Submit the Fee
- Apply to Pearson Vue and pay the $200 application fee.
- Online:
www.pearsonvue.com/nclex
- By Phone: 866-496-2539
- Be sure to apply using the first and last name that match your valid government issued ID that you will be using the day of the test.
One Time Content Specific CE Requirements
- Graduates of Kentucky programs of nursing need to earn the following within 3 years of licensure:
- Graduates of programs outside of Kentucky must earn following within 3 years of licensure:
Reporting Criminal Convictions
- 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.
Provisional License
Review the information regarding
provisional licenses.
How long does it take for a provisional license or license to be issued?
Applications and documents are reviewed within 14 business days. All requirements must be completed, including your school/KBN approving your education. However, if you respond "Yes" to the disciplinary or conviction questions it can take up to three months to process your application.
Review your application or licensure status