Pennsylvania Nursing License (2026)

Pennsylvania has over 250,000 licensed nurses across major healthcare markets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley. The state is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, with multistate licenses available since July 7, 2025. Here’s what you need to know about Pennsylvania nursing licensure.

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing

Detail	Information
Agency	Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
Parent Agency	PA Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
Website	pa.gov/agencies/dos/boards-commissions/nursing
Phone	(717) 783-7142
Email	ST-NURSE@pa.gov

Pennsylvania’s Board operates under the Department of State rather than as an independent agency.

Pennsylvania’s NLC Status: Full Member

Pennsylvania enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact in September 2023 and fully implemented it on July 7, 2025.

What This Means

Status	Details
NLC member	Full compact member since July 7, 2025
Multistate licenses	Available for PA residents
Compact recognition	Nurses with multistate licenses from other compact states can practice in PA
Coverage	PA multistate license valid in 40+ compact states

Benefits for Pennsylvania Nurses

• Pennsylvania residents can obtain multistate licenses through the PA Board of Nursing
• Nurses with compact licenses from other states can practice in PA without endorsement
• PA multistate license holders can practice in all compact states without additional applications

Visit the PA Board of Nursing website for multistate license details.

Pennsylvania RN License

New Graduate (Examination)

Requirements:

• Graduate from state-approved nursing program
• Complete CHRC (Criminal History Record Check)
• Complete child abuse recognition and reporting training
• Submit online application

Application Process:

Step	Action	Cost
1	Create account at PALS portal	Free
2	Submit RN examination application	$95
3	Complete CHRC background check	~$50
4	Complete child abuse training	Varies
5	School submits transcript verification	—
6	Receive ATT from Board	—
7	Register with Pearson VUE	$200
8	Pass NCLEX-RN	—
9	License issued	—

Timeline:

• Application review: 2-4 weeks
• Total time to license: 4-8 weeks

Child Abuse Training Requirement

Pennsylvania requires all nursing applicants to complete child abuse recognition and reporting training. This is unique to Pennsylvania and stems from state child protection laws.

Training must cover:

• Recognizing signs of child abuse
• Mandatory reporting obligations
• Reporting procedures

Many online providers offer approved courses. Complete this before submitting your application to avoid delays.

RN Endorsement

Requirements:

• Active, unencumbered RN license in another state
• Complete endorsement application
• Pass CHRC background check
• Complete child abuse training
• FBI background check (if licensed out of state)

Endorsement Process:

Step	Action	Cost
1	Submit endorsement application	$95
2	Complete CHRC	~$50
3	Complete FBI check (out-of-state)	~$25
4	Complete child abuse training	Varies
5	Verify license through Nursys	~$30
6	Board reviews application	—
7	License issued	—

Timeline: 4-8 weeks

RN Fees Summary

Fee Type	Amount
Initial examination application	$95
Endorsement application	$95
Biennial renewal	$95
CHRC background check	~$50
FBI background check	~$25
NCLEX-RN exam	$200
Total for new graduates	~$345

RN Renewal Requirements

Requirement	Details
Cycle	Biennial (every 2 years)
CE hours	None required (30 voluntary)
Fee	$95
Online renewal	Yes, through PALS

Pennsylvania is one of the few states with no mandatory continuing education for nurses. The Board recommends 30 hours but doesn’t require them.

Pennsylvania LPN License

New Graduate (Examination)

Requirements:

• Graduate from approved practical nursing program
• Complete CHRC background check
• Complete child abuse training
• Submit online application

Fees and timeline mirror RN requirements.

LPN Renewal

Requirement	Details
Cycle	Biennial
CE hours	None required
Fee	$65

Background Check Process

CHRC (Criminal History Record Check)

All Pennsylvania nursing applicants must complete a CHRC through the Pennsylvania State Police:

Process:

1. Request CHRC through PA State Police website
2. Pay fee (~$22 online)
3. Results typically available within minutes for online requests
4. Submit results with application

FBI Background Check

Required for applicants licensed or educated outside Pennsylvania:

• Complete through approved channeler
• Fingerprint-based check
• Fee approximately $25

Child Abuse Clearance

Separate from criminal background check:

• Request through PA Department of Human Services
• Required for all nursing applicants
• Fee varies

No Mandatory CE: What It Means

Pennsylvania stands out for having no mandatory continuing education requirements. Some context:

Advantages

• Lower ongoing costs for license maintenance
• More flexibility in professional development choices
• No tracking or audit concerns

Considerations

• Certification bodies still require CE
• Employers may have their own requirements
• Staying current remains professionally important
• Some specialty certifications require documented CE

Even without state requirements, most nurses pursue continuing education for career advancement, specialty certification, and professional growth.

Pennsylvania Nursing Markets

Market	Major Employers	Notes
Philadelphia	Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Temple Health	Largest market, academic medical centers
Pittsburgh	UPMC, Allegheny Health Network	Major health system headquarters
Lehigh Valley	Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s	Growing regional market
Harrisburg	Penn State Health, UPMC Pinnacle	State capital region
Central PA	Geisinger	Major integrated health system

UPMC and Penn Medicine are among the largest health systems in the country, making Pennsylvania attractive for nurses seeking academic medical center experience.

Pennsylvania vs Neighboring States

Factor	Pennsylvania	New York	New Jersey	Ohio
NLC Member	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
CE Required	No	None	30 hrs	24 hrs
RN Application	$95	$143	$120	$75
Processing	4-8 weeks	6-8 weeks	4-6 weeks	4-8 weeks

Pennsylvania’s lack of CE requirements and full NLC compact membership make it unique in the region.

Application Tips

Speed Up Your Application

1. Complete child abuse training first — Required and often forgotten
2. Request CHRC early — Online requests are fastest
3. Use online application — Through PALS portal
4. Monitor application status — Check PALS regularly
5. Respond promptly — To requests for additional information

Common Delays

• Missing child abuse training certificate
• Incomplete background checks
• Transcript verification delays
• Missing signatures on applications
• Out-of-state FBI check processing

Multistate License Options

If you’re planning to get a Pennsylvania license, consider the compact:

If Pennsylvania is your primary residence:

• You can apply for a multistate license through the PA Board of Nursing
• A multistate license lets you practice in all 40+ compact states
• Contact the Board about converting an existing single-state license

If you’re licensed elsewhere:

• If you hold a multistate license from another compact state, you can practice in PA without endorsement
• If your home state isn’t in the compact, you still need PA endorsement

Next Steps

Ready to get your Pennsylvania nursing license?

1. Complete child abuse training — Before starting application
2. Request CHRC — Through PA State Police
3. Create PALS account — pa.gov licensing portal
4. Submit application — With all required documentation
5. Track status — Through your PALS account
6. Check specific requirements — Pennsylvania RN

Pennsylvania offers strong nursing opportunities across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and regional health systems. As a full NLC compact member, multistate licenses are now available, making it easier to practice across state lines. The lack of mandatory CE requirements makes Pennsylvania one of the more flexible states for license maintenance.