A Registered Nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional responsible for a wide range of patient care duties. In New York, the path to becoming an RN is a regulated process overseen by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). This process ensures all nurses meet high standards of competency and safety. Understanding the educational, administrative, and examination steps is the first move toward a career in this field.
Complete a New York Approved Nursing Program
The first step to becoming a registered nurse in New York is graduating from a nursing program approved by the NYSED. The most common options are an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN program typically takes two years to complete and provides the fundamental skills needed for entry-level nursing positions.
A BSN program, in contrast, is a four-year degree that offers a more comprehensive education, including topics like public health, nursing research, and leadership. This broader knowledge base is often preferred by employers, which can lead to more diverse career opportunities. Some hospital-based diploma programs are also approved by the state, though they are less common.
Regardless of the path chosen, the program must be officially registered with the NYSED as licensure-qualifying. This ensures that the curriculum meets the state’s standards for preparing competent nursing professionals.
Fulfill New York’s Specific Coursework Requirements
Beyond the core nursing curriculum, New York mandates that all applicants for RN licensure complete specific training modules. The two required courses are “Child Abuse Identification and Reporting” and “Infection Control and Barrier Precautions.” This training must be completed through a provider officially approved by the NYSED.
The Child Abuse coursework instructs applicants on how to recognize signs of maltreatment in children and understand their legal obligations for reporting suspected cases. The Infection Control training covers the principles of how diseases are transmitted and the protocols necessary to prevent their spread in healthcare settings.
Many nursing programs in New York integrate this coursework directly into their curriculum. For those who have not, completing these courses is a mandatory prerequisite before the state will issue a license. Applicants can find a list of approved training providers on the NYSED’s Office of the Professions website.
Apply for Licensure with the NYSED
After completing an approved nursing program, the next step is to apply for licensure with the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions. The applicant completes the “Application for Licensure” (Form 1) online. This form gathers personal information, educational history, and attests that the applicant meets the moral character requirements for licensure.
In conjunction with the applicant’s form, the nursing school must submit a “Certification of Professional Education” (Form 2) directly to the NYSED. This form verifies that the applicant has successfully graduated from a state-approved program. The NYSED will not process the application until it has been received.
The application package must also include the required licensure and first registration fee. Once all forms and the fee are submitted, the NYSED will determine the applicant’s eligibility for the final examination stage.
Pass the NCLEX-RN Examination
With an approved application from the NYSED, candidates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This is the standardized, national exam that every state uses to determine if a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice.
Upon application approval, the NYSED will notify the testing company, Pearson VUE. The applicant will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter, which is typically valid for 90 days. The candidate must then register separately with Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee to schedule a testing appointment.
The NCLEX-RN uses a computer adaptive testing (CAT) format. This technology adjusts the difficulty of the questions based on the test-taker’s previous answers. The exam continues until the system is 95% certain that the candidate’s performance is either above or below the passing standard. Once the candidate passes, Pearson VUE transmits the results to the NYSED, which then issues the RN license.
Pathways for Out-of-State and International Nurses
New York provides distinct pathways for nurses who are already licensed in another U.S. state or were educated in another country. For RNs holding an active license in another state, the process is licensure by endorsement. These applicants do not need to retake the NCLEX-RN but must submit an application, provide verification of their existing license, and complete New York’s specific coursework requirements.
For nurses educated outside the United States, the process is more extensive. These applicants must have their educational credentials evaluated by an NYSED-approved service, such as the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). This verification ensures their education is comparable to that of a New York-approved program.
Internationally educated nurses must also pass the NCLEX-RN if they have not already done so for another U.S. state license. Depending on their country of education, they may also need to provide proof of English language proficiency. This process confirms that all nurses meet the standards required to practice in New York.
Maintain Your New York RN License
Once an RN license is issued in New York, it must be actively maintained. Licensure in New York requires renewal every three years to remain in good standing. The NYSED sends a renewal notice, but it is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure their registration is renewed on time.
As part of the renewal process, registered nurses must fulfill continuing competency requirements. For each three-year registration period, nurses must complete updated coursework on infection control and child abuse identification and reporting.
These continuing education requirements ensure that practicing nurses stay current with best practices. Failure to renew the license or complete the required coursework can result in the inability to legally practice nursing in the state.