Last verified: September 18, 2026
Pennsylvania at a glance
This Pennsylvania nursing license guide explains the practical path to RN licensure, including education, examination or endorsement, application requirements, renewal, and continuing-education obligations where applicable.
- 18 is the common minimum age for initial RN licensure; confirm the specific board's current eligibility rules.
- Initial RN fee: $95 for applicants educated in Pennsylvania; $115 for applicants educated outside Pennsylvania. Endorsement and exam pathways have different fees.
- Validity: 2 years
- Initial RN licensure uses the NCLEX-RN as the national licensing examination. Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing may impose additional eligibility, education, background-check, jurisprudence or documentation requirements before or after the exam. Confirm the board's current testing and authorization-to-test process.
Education & RN Eligibility
For RN licensure in Pennsylvania, applicants generally need to graduate from an approved nursing program, satisfy the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing's eligibility rules, complete required background or identity checks, and qualify for the NCLEX-RN. Pennsylvania participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC); multistate eligibility depends on meeting compact requirements and having the required primary state of residence.
Costs, timing and validity
18 is the common minimum age for initial RN licensure; confirm the specific board's current eligibility rules.
Initial RN fee: $95 for applicants educated in Pennsylvania; $115 for applicants educated outside Pennsylvania. Endorsement and exam pathways have different fees.
$122 every 2 years.
2 years
Documents and information to prepare
Use the official checklist linked on this page as the final authority. The items below describe the information this state commonly expects for this credential.
Typical Pennsylvania RN application materials include nursing-school education records, identification, application information, NCLEX-related records, and background/fingerprint documentation when required. Endorsement applicants may need license verification through Nursys or directly from another board. Follow Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing's current checklist for internationally educated nurses or other special applicant categories.
How to apply
Apply through Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
For initial RN licensure, complete an approved nursing education program, submit the state application and required education/background documents, register for the NCLEX-RN, obtain authorization to test when required, pass the NCLEX-RN, and complete the state's issuance steps.
For an already licensed nurse, review the state's endorsement process and use Nursys verification when the destination board participates in Nursys.
NCLEX & Licensing Requirements
Initial RN licensure uses the NCLEX-RN as the national licensing examination. Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing may impose additional eligibility, education, background-check, jurisprudence or documentation requirements before or after the exam. Confirm the board's current testing and authorization-to-test process.
Renewal and ongoing requirements
RN renewal is biennial and currently requires 30 hours of continuing education, including 2 hours of approved child-abuse recognition/reporting training. Beginning May 1, 2026, RNs must also complete 2 hours of organ-donation education once within a 5-year period.
Processing time
Processing in Pennsylvania depends on education verification, background checks, application completeness, NCLEX scheduling/results, and board review. Endorsement and internationally educated applications can take longer when license verification or credential evaluation is required.
Quick Answers
Who regulates RN licensure?
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
What education or examination is required?
Initial RN licensure uses the NCLEX-RN as the national licensing examination. Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing may impose additional eligibility, education, background-check, jurisprudence or documentation requirements before or after the exam. Confirm the board's current testing and authorization-to-test process.
What documents are typically needed?
Typical Pennsylvania RN application materials include nursing-school education records, identification, application information, NCLEX-related records, and background/fingerprint documentation when required. Endorsement applicants may need license verification through Nursys or directly from another board. Follow Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing's current checklist for internationally educated nurses or other special applicant categories.
What happens at renewal?
RN renewal is biennial and currently requires 30 hours of continuing education, including 2 hours of approved child-abuse recognition/reporting training. Beginning May 1, 2026, RNs must also complete 2 hours of organ-donation education once within a 5-year period.