Completing an on-campus or online master’s degree in nursing or a nurse practitioner program is the first step toward a fulfilling nursing career. To work in a professional setting as a registered nurse (RN), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) nurses must also meet the professional standards set forth by their state’s board of nursing.

Nurses are regulated, much like medical doctors and other medical professionals. Because of their capacity working with the health of our communities, nurses are licensed by states to ensure they are qualified to provide care to patients. 

To qualify for a license, you may be required to submit:

Requirements will vary by state and by nursing career. Licensure will have to be renewed approximately every two years. Every state will have its own criteria, so nurses will need to research the requirements of the state where they want to work.

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

• Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
• Complete in as few as 24 months
• Full-time and part-time tracks available

Request more info from Simmons University.

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

• Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
• Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
• Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

Request more info from Georgetown University.

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

• Part-time and accelerated tracks available
• Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

Request more info from St. John Fisher University.

info SPONSORED

State boards of nursing were created more than 100 years ago in the United States. The state board of nursing is the governing body that:

The purpose of nursing licensing and regulatory boards is to issue and monitor licensing to nurses while maintaining standards for safe nursing care. Each state has its own Nurse Practice Act that is enforced by nursing regulatory bodies employing nurses to comply with law and rules to maintain their licenses. Nurse Practice Acts often include qualifications for licensure, nurse career titles to use, scope of practice, and actions against nurses who do not follow the law.

The state board of nursing establishes clear legal authorization for the scope of the nursing practice and ensures nursing titles are given to the professionals who have met the essential qualifications.

These functions protect the public from being treated by unqualified health care providers, which could harm their health and livelihood. The state board of nursing ensures nursing professionals get the education they need to legally deliver optimal treatment so patient health is protected.

770 Washington Ave., Suite 250
Montgomery, AL 36104
(800) 656-5318
Alabama Board of Nursing Website

500 W. 7^th Ave., Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 269-8156
Alaska Board of Nursing Website

1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 771-7800
Arizona State Board of Nursing Website

1123 S. University, Suite 800
Little Rock, AR 72204
(501) 686-2700
Arkansas State Board of Nursing Website

2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-7800
Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians Website

1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 322-3350
California Board of Registered Nursing Website

1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-2430
Colorado Board of Nursing Website

410 Capitol Ave., MS #13PHO
Hartford, CT 06134
(860) 509-7603
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing Website

Cannon Building, Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 744-4500
Delaware Board of Nursing Website

899 N. Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-5955
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Website

4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-02
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 245-4125
Florida Board of Nursing Website

214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
(844) 753-7825
Georgia Board of Nursing Website

P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 586-2695
Hawaii Board of Nursing Website

280 N. 8^th Street, Suite 210
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 577-2476
State of Idaho Board of Nursing Website

100 W. Randolph, 9^th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
(888) 473-4858
Illinois Board of Nursing Website

402 W. Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 234-2043
Indiana State Board of Nursing

400 SW 8^th Street, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 281-3255
Iowa Board of Nursing Website

900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 1051
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-4949
Kansas Board of Nursing Website

312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 429-3300
Kentucky Board of Nursing Website

17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
(225) 755-7500
Louisiana State Board of Nursing Website

131 Airline Drive, Suite 301
Metairie, LA 70001
(504) 838-5791
Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners Website

161 Capitol Street
Augusta, Maine 04333
(207) 287-1133
Maine State Board of Nursing Website

4140 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
(888) 202-9861
Maryland Board of Nursing Website

239 Causeway Street, Suite 500, 5^th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
(800) 414-0168
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing Website

611 W. Ottawa
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 335-9700
Michigan Board of Nursing Website

1210 Northland Drive, Suite 120
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
(612) 317-3000
Minnesota Board of Nursing Website

713 Pear Orchard Road, Plaza II, Suite 300
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 957-6300
Mississippi Board of Nursing Website

3605 Missouri Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-0681
Missouri Board of Nursing Website

301 S. Park Avenue, 4^th Floor
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-6880
Montana Board of Nursing Website

301 Centennial Mall South, 1^st Floor
14^th & M Streets
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 471-4376
Nebraska Nurse Licensing Website

5011 Meadowood Mall Way, Suite 300
Reno, NV 89502
(888) 590-6726
Nevada State Board of Nursing Website

121 S. Fruit Street, Suite 102
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2323
New Hampshire Board of Nursing Website

124 Halsey Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
(973) 504-6430
New Jersey Board of Nursing Website

6301 Indian School Road, NE #710
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 841-8340
New Mexico Board of Nursing Website

89 Washington Ave., 2^nd Floor West Wing
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-3817
New York State Board of Nursing Website

4516 Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 782-3211
North Carolina Board of Nursing Website

919 S. 7^th Street, Suite 504
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 328-9777

North Dakota Board of Nursing Website

17 S. High Street, Suite 660
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-3947
Ohio Board of Nursing Website

2915 N. Classen Blvd., Suite 524
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 962-1800
Oklahoma Board of Nursing Website

17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road
Portland, OR 97224
(917) 673-0685
Oregon State Board of Nursing Website

2601 N. 3^rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(833) 367-2762
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Website

3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-5960
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education Website

110 Centerview Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-4300
South Carolina Board of Nursing Website

4305 S. Louise Ave., Suite 201
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-2760
South Dakota Board of Nursing Website

665 Mainstream Drive, 2^nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 532-5166
Tennessee Board of Nursing

333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 305-7400
Texas Board of Nursing Website

Heber M. Wells Building, 4^th Floor, 160
East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(866) 275-3675
Utah Board of Nursing Website

89 Main Street, 3^rd Floor
Montpelier, VT 05620
(802) 828-1505
Vermont State Board of Nursing Website

Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
(804) 367-4400
Virginia Board of Nursing Website

111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 236-4703
Washington Nursing Commission Website

90 MacCorkle Ave., SW #203
South Charleston, WV 25303
(304) 744-0900
West Virginia RN Board Website

101 Dee Drive, Suite 100
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 558-3572
West Virginia LPN Board website

4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 266-2112
Wisconsin Board of Nursing Website

130 Hobbs Ave., Suite B
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7601
Wyoming State Board of Nursing Website

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

• Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
• Complete in as few as 24 months
• Full-time and part-time tracks available

Request more info from Simmons University.

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

• Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
• Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
• Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

Request more info from Georgetown University.

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

• Part-time and accelerated tracks available
• Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

Request more info from St. John Fisher University.

info SPONSORED

Licensure enables nurses to legally practice nursing in their state. Getting licensed can lead to career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential. Check with your state to see what requirements you need to fulfill to get licensed and legally practice nursing.

Information on this page was last retrieved in June 2020.