Obtaining a professional nursing license in Pennsylvania requires navigating the requirements established by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (PABON). This guide clarifies the application process for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) seeking initial licensure and subsequent renewal within the Commonwealth. The process demands accurate submission of educational documentation, examination results, and background clearances. Aspiring nurses must understand the specific pathways for new graduates and nurses transferring from another state.
Establishing Educational and Legal Foundations
The foundation for a Pennsylvania nursing license requires completing an approved education program. Applicants for either an RN or LPN license must have successfully graduated from a nursing education program approved by a state board of nursing. RN applicants typically hold an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). LPN applicants must complete a board-approved program of at least 1,500 hours over a minimum of 12 months, plus hold a high school diploma or GED.
Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the educational institution to the PABON for verification that the coursework meets Pennsylvania’s standards. All applicants must also establish good moral character, which is assessed through the mandatory criminal background check process.
Initial Licensure for New Graduates
New graduates apply for licensure by examination, which requires passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Applicants must register for the NCLEX with the provider, Pearson VUE, simultaneously with submitting the license application to the PABON. After the Board verifies educational eligibility, the candidate receives Authorization to Test (ATT) to schedule the exam.
New graduates may apply for a Graduate Temporary Practice Permit (TPP) when submitting their initial license application. For graduates of a Pennsylvania nursing program, the TPP can be issued immediately upon the Board’s receipt of the completed application, a $70 permit fee, a $95 initial licensing fee, and verification of graduation. The TPP allows the graduate nurse to begin working under the direct supervision of an experienced RN while awaiting NCLEX results. This temporary permit expires immediately if the applicant fails the NCLEX exam.
All initial license applicants must complete three hours of state-approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31 training). Verification of this training must be submitted before the final license is issued. The license is granted once the Board receives notification of a passing NCLEX score and all other requirements, including the background check, are finalized.
Licensure by Endorsement for Out-of-State Nurses
Nurses licensed in another U.S. state or territory apply for licensure by endorsement to practice in Pennsylvania. This pathway requires the nurse to demonstrate that their original state’s licensing standards were equivalent to Pennsylvania’s requirements at the time of initial licensure. A central requirement is securing license verification from every state or jurisdiction where the applicant holds or has previously held a nursing license.
Applicants must use the Nursys online verification system to transmit license information to the PABON if their state participates (typically requiring a $30 fee per verification). If the state does not use Nursys, the applicant must contact that state’s board directly to request that a verification form be sent to Pennsylvania. The application also requires the qualifying nursing school to send an official transcript directly to the Pennsylvania Board.
Endorsement applicants holding an active, unencumbered license may apply for a Temporary Practice Permit (TPP). This permit is valid for one year and allows the nurse to practice while the full endorsement application is processed. The nurse must ensure all required documentation, including the three-hour Act 31 child abuse training certification, is submitted promptly before the permanent license is approved.
Navigating the Pennsylvania Licensing System
All applications for a Pennsylvania nursing license, whether by examination or endorsement, are submitted electronically through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) portal. Applicants must create an individual PALS account, which serves as the central hub for all communication and documentation. Once logged in, the applicant selects the appropriate application, completes the online form, and pays the necessary non-refundable fees.
The application fee varies depending on the type of license and the applicant’s educational origin, such as a $95 initial licensing fee for new graduates from a PA school or a $120 fee for endorsement applicants. After submission, Board staff review the application for completeness. PALS is also the platform used to upload mandatory supporting documentation, such as proof of name change or responses to legal background questions.
If required documents are missing or discrepancies exist, the Board sends an email notification, and a notice appears on the applicant’s PALS dashboard. The applicant must log back into the system and upload the requested information to resolve the issue. The application is only considered complete and ready for final determination once all required items, including transcripts, verifications, and background checks, have been received and processed by the Board.
Mandatory Background Checks and Fingerprinting
A mandatory component of the nursing licensure process is a criminal history review, involving both state and federal checks. All new applicants must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI Criminal History Record Check. This process is managed through the state’s contracted vendor, IdentoGO (IDEMIA), which captures fingerprints digitally.
Applicants must pre-register for the fingerprinting service on the IdentoGO website, using a specific service code provided during the PALS application process. Using the correct code ensures the results are sent directly to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. A Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check is also required for all applicants.
While a criminal conviction does not automatically result in a denial, it may prompt a more extensive review by the Board to determine the applicant’s fitness for practice. The integrity of the licensure process depends on the thorough review of the applicant’s history, ensuring public safety is maintained.
Maintaining and Renewing Your PA Nursing License
Once issued, a Pennsylvania RN or LPN license must be renewed biennially. The renewal process is completed online through the PALS portal and requires the licensee to attest to completing mandatory continuing education (CE) requirements. Registered Nurses must complete 30 contact hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle.
While LPNs do not have a general CE hour requirement, all licensees must complete mandatory training on child abuse recognition and reporting. This Act 31 training requires two hours of Board-approved continuing education for every renewal cycle. Failure to complete these mandatory hours prevents successful renewal.
Nurses whose licenses have lapsed or been placed on inactive status must apply for reactivation through the PALS portal. If a license has been inactive or expired for five or more years, the Board may require a more detailed reactivation application to ensure competency. Pennsylvania fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) on July 7, 2025, allowing eligible resident nurses to apply for a multistate license, granting them the privilege to practice in other compact states without additional licensure.