The Registered Nurse (RN) license in Texas is the legal authorization granted by the state to practice professional nursing. Earning this license signifies that the nurse has met the educational, examination, and ethical standards required for safe patient care. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) administers and governs the process of acquiring and maintaining this credential.
The Texas Board of Nursing and Foundational Requirements
The Texas Board of Nursing protects the public by ensuring all licensed nurses meet minimum standards of practice. Every applicant for an RN license must first complete an approved nursing education program. This requires the applicant to hold either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a program meeting the BON’s standards. Prospective nurses must verify that their education is recognized by the BON before proceeding with licensure.
Licensure by Examination for New Graduates
New graduates who have never held an RN license must follow the licensure by examination path. This involves a dual application process: submitting an application to the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) and registering separately with Pearson Vue for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The BON requires applicants to complete and pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Examination before the NCLEX can be scheduled.
Once the BON receives the application, jurisprudence results, and the school submits an Affidavit of Graduation, the applicant receives an Authorization to Test (ATT). The ATT provides a six-month window during which the candidate must schedule and take the NCLEX-RN. If the candidate passes the NCLEX, the BON issues the RN license after all other requirements, including the criminal background check, are complete. Failing the NCLEX requires a minimum 45-day wait before retesting. Eligibility to retest requires the graduate to be within four years of their original graduation date, or they must re-enroll in a nursing program.
Licensure by Endorsement for Out-of-State Nurses
Registered Nurses licensed in another U.S. state or territory who wish to practice in Texas must apply for licensure by endorsement. This process allows nurses who have already passed the NCLEX-RN to transfer their existing credentials. Applicants must submit a verification of licensure from their original state and any other state where they hold or have held an RN license.
If the originating state participates in the Nursys electronic verification system, the applicant must request verification be sent directly to the Texas BON through that platform. If the state does not use Nursys, the applicant must use the Texas BON’s paper Verification of Licensure form, ensuring the licensing authority sends it directly to the Board. Applicants must show they have practiced as an RN or taken the NCLEX-RN within the four years preceding their application date to prove current competency. Endorsement applicants must still complete the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Examination.
Specific Requirements for Foreign Educated Nurses
Applicants whose basic nursing education occurred outside of the United States face specialized requirements to ensure their education is comparable to U.S. standards. A mandatory step involves obtaining a Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Full Education Professional Report, typically from an approved organization like the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). This report must be sent directly from the credentialing organization to the BON to verify the educational equivalence of the foreign program.
Applicants must also submit a Verification of Licensure (VR) from all international jurisdictions where they hold or have held a nursing license. If the nursing program was not conducted in English, applicants must submit proof of English proficiency by achieving satisfactory scores on an approved examination. The BON accepts results from tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If a foreign-educated nurse has not practiced within the last four years or cannot meet educational equivalency standards, the BON may mandate a remedial course or re-education program before granting authorization to test or a license.
The Mandatory Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting Process
A mandatory Criminal Background Check (CBC) is a universal requirement for all RN license applicants, regardless of application type (examination, endorsement, or foreign-educated). Applicants must submit fingerprints electronically through the state’s designated vendor, typically IdentoGO. These fingerprints are processed by both the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to perform the comprehensive background check.
The CBC results are sent directly to the BON; applicants must not mail results or fingerprint cards themselves. Full disclosure of any prior criminal history is advised during the application process, as failure to disclose can lead to license denial. If the background check reveals eligibility concerns, the applicant may be required to file a Petition for Declaratory Order (DO). This formal process allows the BON to review the criminal history and determine the applicant’s fitness for licensure before the application is finalized.
Maintaining Your Registered Nurse License in Texas
Once the Registered Nurse license is granted, the nurse must adhere to specific requirements to keep it active. The Texas RN license is subject to renewal every two years, typically on the last day of the nurse’s birth month. To qualify for renewal, the nurse must complete a minimum of 20 contact hours of continuing education (CE) during the preceding two-year period.
This CE must include specific, mandatory courses, such as two contact hours related to nursing jurisprudence and ethics, required every third renewal cycle. Nurses must also maintain a current mailing address with the BON and ensure all renewal fees are paid before the expiration date. Allowing the license to lapse requires a complex reinstatement process, including additional fees and CE requirements, before the nurse is legally permitted to practice again.