May 15, 2012 |
2012-R-0193 | |
REGISTERED NURSE LICENSING | ||
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By: James Orlando, Associate Analyst | ||
You asked how Connecticut's registered nurse (RN) licensing requirements compare to nearby states, particularly regarding fees, license renewal, and continuing education requirements.
Generally, states require RN license applicants to complete a nursing education program, pass an examination, pay application fees, and provide information about their background. Many states, but not Connecticut, require RNs to complete continuing education to renew their licenses.
State nursing boards oversee the nurse licensure process. Massachusetts' Board of Registration in Nursing has contracted with a private company (Professional Credential Services, Inc.) to disseminate and process nursing applications and forms.
Connecticut, as well as all other states, uses the National Council of State Boards of Nursing licensure examination, known as the “NCLEX-RN” test. Information about the test is available here: https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm.
Table 1 below compares RN license and renewal fees, frequency of license renewal, and continuing education requirements in Connecticut and five nearby states. Please note that the table does not include different application fees or other requirements that may apply to applicants who (1) completed their education outside of the United States or (2) are already licensed in one state and are seeking licensure in another state. Two of the states in the table below (New Hampshire and Rhode Island) are among the 24 states that have joined the Nurse Licensure Compact, which enables multistate licensure for nurses under specified conditions. Information about the compact is available here: https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm.
Table 1: Comparison of RN Licensing Fees and Renewal Requirements
*Application Fees (Licensure by Examination) |
License Renewal Fee |
Frequency of License Renewal |
Continuing Education Requirement (per License Renewal Period Unless Noted) | |
Connecticut |
$180 |
$100 |
Yearly |
Not required |
Massachusetts |
$230 |
$120 |
Every two years |
15 hours |
New Hampshire |
$120 |
$100 |
Every two years |
30 hours |
New Jersey |
$75 application fee; $120 initial license fee |
$120 |
Every two years |
30 hours |
New York |
$143 |
$73 |
Every three years |
Three hours in infection control every four years |
Rhode Island |
$130 |
$90 |
Every two years |
10 hours |
*Additional fees may apply for required examination
More information about these states' RN licensing requirements is available on their websites:
● Connecticut: http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3143&q=388910
● Massachusetts: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/provider/licensing/occupational/nursing/licensing/
● New Hampshire: http://www.nh.gov/nursing/licensure/index.html
● New Jersey: http://www.nj.gov/lps/ca/nursing/
● New York: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nursing.htm
● Rhode Island: http://www.health.ri.gov/for/nurses/
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