Ohio Nursing License Guide (2026)

Ohio joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in January 2023, making it an attractive option for nurses who want multistate practice privileges. With over 200,000 licensed nurses and major healthcare systems in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, Ohio offers strong career opportunities. Here’s what you need to know about getting licensed.

Ohio Board of Nursing

Detail	Information
Agency	Ohio Board of Nursing
Licenses	RN, LPN, APRN
Website	nursing.ohio.gov
Phone	(614) 466-3947
Email	license-verify@nursing.ohio.gov

Ohio and the Nurse Licensure Compact

Ohio became an NLC member state on January 1, 2023. This is relatively recent compared to states like Texas (2000) or Georgia (2006).

Multistate vs Single-State License

License Type	Application Fee	Practice Area
Multistate (MSL)	$75	All 40+ NLC states
Single-State (SSL)	$65	Ohio only

Most nurses should apply for the multistate license. The $10 difference is negligible compared to the flexibility gained.

Eligibility for Multistate License

To qualify for an Ohio multistate license:

• Ohio must be your primary state of residence
• Meet all Ohio licensure requirements
• Pass FBI and Ohio BCI background checks
• Have no encumbrances on any nursing license
• Meet federal Social Security number requirements

Ohio RN License

New Graduate (Examination)

Requirements:

• Graduate from Ohio Board-approved nursing program
• Complete BCI and FBI fingerprint background check
• Submit online application

Application Process:

Step	Action	Cost
1	Create account at nursing.ohio.gov	Free
2	Submit RN examination application	$75 (MSL)
3	Complete fingerprinting (BCI/FBI)	$60
4	School submits transcript verification	—
5	Receive ATT from Board	—
6	Register with Pearson VUE	$200
7	Pass NCLEX-RN	—
8	License issued	—

Timeline:

• Initial application review: Up to 30 days
• Total time to license: 4-8 weeks

RN Endorsement

Requirements for endorsement:

• Active, unencumbered RN license in another state
• Complete endorsement application
• Pass BCI and FBI background check
• Complete 2 hours Category A continuing education

The 2-hour Category A CE requirement is specific to Ohio endorsement applicants. This must be completed before your license is issued.

Endorsement Process:

Step	Action	Cost
1	Submit endorsement application	$75
2	Complete fingerprinting	$60
3	Verify license through Nursys	~$30
4	Complete 2 hours Category A CE	Varies
5	Board reviews application	—
6	License issued	—

Timeline: 4-8 weeks

RN Fees Summary

Fee Type	Amount
Multistate license application	$75
Single-state license application	$65
Endorsement application	$75
Biennial renewal	$75
Late renewal	$75 + $50
Fingerprinting (BCI/FBI)	$60
NCLEX-RN exam	$200

RN Renewal Requirements

Requirement	Details
Cycle	Biennial (every 2 years)
CE hours	24 contact hours
Fee	$75
Renewal window	July 1 - September 15 (even years)
Late penalty	$50 additional fee

Ohio’s 24-hour CE requirement is higher than some states (Texas requires 20). Plan accordingly.

Ohio LPN License

New Graduate (Examination)

Requirements:

• Graduate from approved practical nursing program
• Complete background check
• Submit online application

Process and fees mirror RN with LPN-specific application.

Timeline: 4-8 weeks to ATT

LPN Renewal

Requirement	Details
Cycle	Biennial
CE hours	24 contact hours
Fee	$75
Renewal window	Odd years

Background Check Process

Fingerprinting Requirements

Ohio requires both state and federal background checks:

Check Type	Agency	Purpose
BCI	Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation	State criminal history
FBI	Federal Bureau of Investigation	National criminal history

Process:

1. Schedule appointment with approved fingerprint vendor
2. Complete fingerprinting (~$60 total)
3. Results sent to Ohio Board of Nursing
4. Board reviews for clearance

Timeline: Results typically process within 1-2 weeks

Criminal History Considerations

Per Ohio Revised Code 4723.09, the Board considers:

• Nature and seriousness of offense
• Time elapsed since offense
• Rehabilitation evidence
• Relationship to nursing practice

Certain felonies may result in automatic disqualification.

Continuing Education Details

CE Requirements

License Type	Hours Required	Cycle
RN	24	Biennial
LPN	24	Biennial
APRN	24	Biennial

Category A Requirements

Ohio categorizes CE into Category A and Category B:

Category A (direct nursing content):

• Pharmacology
• Patient safety
• Clinical topics
• Nursing research

Category B (related topics):

• Communication
• Leadership
• Health policy
• Ethics

At least 1 hour must be in Ohio nursing law and rules.

Accepted CE Providers

• Ohio Board-approved providers
• ANCC-accredited providers
• Academic nursing courses
• National certification activities

Ohio Nursing Markets

Market	Major Employers	Notes
Cleveland	Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth	Major academic medical center hub
Columbus	Ohio State Wexner, OhioHealth, Nationwide Children’s	State capital, growing market
Cincinnati	UC Health, TriHealth, Cincinnati Children’s	Southern Ohio hub
Akron/Canton	Summa Health, Aultman	Northeast Ohio regional centers
Toledo	ProMedica, Mercy Health	Northwest Ohio

Cleveland Clinic consistently ranks among the top hospitals nationally, making Cleveland particularly attractive for nurses seeking academic medical center experience.

Ohio vs Neighboring States

Factor	Ohio	Michigan	Indiana	Pennsylvania
NLC Member	Yes (2023)	Yes (2023)	Yes (2018)	Pending
CE Hours	24	25	0	0 (voluntary)
RN Application Fee	$75	$54	$50	$95
Processing Time	4-8 weeks	4-6 weeks	2-4 weeks	4-8 weeks

Ohio’s CE requirement is comparable to Michigan. Indiana has no mandatory CE, and Pennsylvania’s is voluntary.

Application Tips

Speed Up Your Application

1. Apply online — Paper applications take longer
2. Complete fingerprints early — Don’t wait for application approval
3. Use Nursys for verification — Fastest method for endorsement
4. Check portal regularly — Monitor for requests for additional information
5. Complete Category A CE before applying — For endorsement applicants

Common Delays

• Incomplete applications
• Fingerprint processing delays
• Missing Category A CE (endorsement)
• Background check issues requiring additional documentation
• Transcript verification delays from nursing schools

Next Steps

Ready to get your Ohio nursing license?

1. Check specific requirements — Ohio RN | Ohio LPN
2. Create Ohio Board account — nursing.ohio.gov
3. Schedule fingerprinting — BCI/FBI approved vendor
4. Complete Category A CE — If applying by endorsement
5. Submit application — Online portal
6. Track status — Monitor your account

Ohio’s NLC membership since 2023 makes it an excellent choice for nurses who want multistate practice flexibility. The strong job market across Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati provides diverse opportunities in academic medical centers, community hospitals, and specialty care.