Virginia Nursing License Requirements
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- You can get your RN license in Virginia by endorsement or examination.
- The Virginia Board of Nursing takes 30 business days to review your application.
- You must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education to renew your license.
Do you want to get your registered nurse (RN) license in Virginia or move your nursing career to Virginia? The Virginia Board of Nursing (BON) issues new Virginia RN licenses by examination or endorsement. Find out which pathway you’re eligible for and how to get and keep your Virginia RN license.
Virginia State Board of Nursing
Virginia’s BON is part of the state's department of health professions. It regulates the state's standards of licensure and practices for all nurses and some allied health professionals, such as nursing assistants and medication aides. It approves nursing education programs and enforces disciplinary actions when nurses do not follow the Nursing Practice Act.
Featured Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Virginia Nursing Education Requirements
Virginia requires you to complete a registered nursing program with at least 500 direct care client hours. You can fulfill this requirement with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An ADN can offer a faster and more cost-effective way into nursing than a bachelor’s degree. An ADN teaches you the fundamental nursing skills you need to care for specialty populations, like older adults, and practice nursing safely, ethically, and legally. You’ll learn how to take vital signs, update patient records, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and give medication and treatment.
Bachelor's in Nursing (BSN)
A BSN can prepare you for leadership positions and advanced study with a more comprehensive understanding of nursing practice. You’ll learn fundamental nursing skills and take courses in nursing informatics, leadership, and research and statistics. You’ll also learn more about specialties like mental health nursing, pediatrics, and labor and delivery. Many employers prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses.
Applying for a Nursing License in Virginia
You can get your nursing license in Virginia by examination or endorsement. Your background check results, application, and application fee are valid for one year before you have to reapply. Virginia requires 30 business days or about six weeks to process your application after you’ve submitted all the required documents.
RN Licensure by Examination
If you graduated from an accredited nursing program and need to take the NCLEX-RN in Virginia, you’ll need to apply for license by examination. Your license application and fee are valid for one NCLEX attempt. If you fail the NCLEX, you must reapply for licensure to retake it. To get your first RN license in Virginia, you’ll need to:
- Complete an online application
- Pay the $190 application fee
- Verify your nursing degree and clinical hours
- Pass a criminal background check
- Register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 exam fee
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
If you graduated from a Virginia nursing school, check whether your program automatically sends an attestation of graduation letter to the BON. If you graduated from an out-of-state school, ask your nursing program to submit your official transcripts, including clinical hours.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Registered nurses who have already passed the NCLEX-RN in another state should apply for licensure by endorsement. Virginia participates in the nursing license compact, but you still need to meet the Virginia requirements for license by endorsement and the uniform license requirements to make Virginia your primary state of residence. To transfer your license to Virginia, you’ll need to:
- Complete an online application
- Pay the $190 application fee
- Pass a criminal background check
- Verify your original RN license through Nursys or request license verification from the BON if your first RN license was in Pennsylvania
How to Maintain Your Nursing License in Virginia
You’ll need to renew your Virginia nursing license every two years on the last day of your birth month. If you were born in an even-numbered year, then you must renew your license in even-numbered years. If you were born in an odd-numbered year, you must renew your license in odd-numbered years. To renew your license:
- Complete an online application
- Pay the $140 application fee
- Fulfill the 30 contact hours of continuing education (CEs)
You can fulfill your required contact hours by teaching CEs, taking college or certification courses, completing an academic project or article, practicing nursing, attending conferences, workshops, seminars, and holding specialty certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Virginia
How long does it take to get a Virginia RN license?
The Virginia Board of Nursing will process your completed application, which must include all required documents, within six weeks or 30 business days. If you're applying for your license by examination, it will take 2-4 years to earn your degree and pass the NCLEX-RN.
What do you need to become a RN in Virginia?
To become an RN in Virginia, you must complete a nursing degree, apply with the Virginia Board of Nursing, pay an application fee, and pass a background check. To take the NCLEX, you'll fill out a separate application with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 registration fee. If you apply for licensure by endorsement, you'll need to verify your original nursing license.
How much does an RN earn in Virginia?
Registered nurses in Virginia make an average of $81,860 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This annual salary comes out to about $39 per hour.
How often do you renew a Virginia nursing license?
You'll renew your nursing license in Virginia every two years on the last day of your birth month. To renew your nursing license, you'll pay $140, submit an online renewal application, and complete up to 30 contact hours of continuing education.
