Pennsylvania Nursing License
How to get your Pennsylvania nursing license
- Complete an approved nursing program (RN or LPN/LVN).
- Pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination.
- Apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for licensure by examination or endorsement.
- Complete the required criminal background check and pay licensure fees.
- If your primary residence is Pennsylvania, you may apply for a multistate (compact) license.
Pennsylvania licensing at a glance
| Initial license fee | $95 (PA program) / $115 (out-of-state program) |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $122 / 2 years |
| Continuing education | 30 hours / 2 years |
| Compact (NLC) member | Yes |
Initial $95 for graduates of a Pennsylvania program ($115 for out-of-state programs); biennial renewal $122. 30 CE contact hours are required per 2-year cycle, including 2 hours on child-abuse recognition; a one-time 2-hour organ-donation course is added starting May 1, 2026. eNLC member.
Official resources
- Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing — apply, renew, and check requirements.
- Verify a nursing license (Nursys)
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) map — which states honor a multistate license.
- Directory of state boards of nursing (NCSBN)
Pennsylvania nursing license FAQ
- Does my compact nursing license let me work in Pennsylvania?
- Yes. Pennsylvania is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so a multistate license issued by your compact home state covers practice in Pennsylvania without a separate application.
- How much does a Pennsylvania nursing license cost?
- The initial RN licensure fee in Pennsylvania is $95 (PA program) / $115 (out-of-state program), and renewal is $122 / 2 years.
- How many continuing-education hours does Pennsylvania require?
- Pennsylvania requires 30 hours / 2 years for RN license renewal.
- How do I verify a Pennsylvania nursing license?
- Verify any U.S. nursing license through Nursys, the national verification system operated by the state boards of nursing.