Registered Nurse License FAQs

The first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for US-educated candidates is 82-88%, according to NCSBN’s 2024 annual report.

Education Type	First-Time Pass Rate	Source
BSN programs	~90%	NCSBN 2024
ADN programs	~85%	NCSBN 2024
International graduates	40-50%	NCSBN 2024

About the exam (per NCSBN):

• Format: Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)
• Questions: 75-145 (stops when pass/fail is determined)
• Time limit: 5 hours maximum
• Average completion: ~2 hours

The 2023 NCLEX-RN format update (Next Generation NCLEX) added case studies and clinical judgment questions. Pass rates remained stable after the change.

To become a Registered Nurse, you must complete an approved nursing program (ADN, BSN, or diploma), pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and meet your state’s licensing requirements. Total time: 2-4 years for education plus 2-8 weeks for licensing.

Requirement	Details	Timeline
Nursing program	ADN (2 years), BSN (4 years), or Diploma	2-4 years
NCLEX-RN exam	75-145 questions, passing standard set by NCSBN	Schedule within 45-90 days of ATT
State application	Background check, fees ($75-200), documentation	2-8 weeks

Education pathways accepted by all 50 states:

• ADN (Associate Degree) - 2 years, offered at community colleges
• BSN (Bachelor’s) - 4 years, increasingly preferred by employers
• Diploma - 2-3 years, hospital-based (less common today)

Per AACN data, 65% of new nurses now enter with BSN degrees, though ADN remains a valid pathway in all states.

RN license renewal periods vary by state:

• Most common: Every 2 years
• Some states: Annual or every 3 years

Renewal requirements typically include:

• Continuing education hours (15-40 hours per cycle)
• Renewal fee ($50-$200)
• Practice hour requirements (varies by state)
• Background check (some states)

Set up reminders at least 90 days before expiration. Most states offer online renewal through their board of nursing portal.

Continuing education (CE) requirements for RN license renewal vary significantly by state:

Common Requirements:

State Category	CE Hours	Renewal Period
Low requirement	0-20 hours	2 years
Moderate	21-30 hours	2 years
Higher	30-40 hours	2 years

States with No CE Requirement: Several states including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, and Wisconsin do not mandate CE hours for RN renewal.

States with Highest Requirements:

• California: 30 hours every 2 years
• Florida: 24 hours every 2 years (including specific topics)
• Texas: 20 hours every 2 years
• New York: 3 hours infection control every 4 years

Special Topic Requirements: Many states require specific topics such as:

• Opioid/pain management (2-4 hours)
• Domestic violence recognition
• Human trafficking awareness
• Implicit bias training
• Infection control

Check your state board of nursing for specific requirements or use our CE tracker to stay compliant.

California RN license processing takes 8-12 weeks for new graduates and 4-8 weeks for endorsements—longer than most states—due to the California Board of Registered Nursing’s (BRN) volume and manual review requirements. Peak periods can extend timelines to 12+ weeks.

Current Processing Times (BRN 2025)

Application Type	Standard Time	Peak Time
New graduate (exam)	8-12 weeks	12-16 weeks
Endorsement	4-8 weeks	8-12 weeks
International graduates	3-6 months	6-12 months
Interim permit	2-4 weeks	4-6 weeks

Why California Is Slower

Factor	Impact
Volume	Largest nursing workforce (450,000+ RNs)
No compact	Every nurse needs CA-specific license
Manual review	Many applications require human review
Fingerprint processing	DOJ/FBI clearance adds weeks
Document requests	Incomplete apps cause delays

How to Speed Up Processing

1. Submit complete applications — Missing items add 4-8 weeks
2. Use online application — Faster than paper
3. Order transcripts early — Schools can take weeks
4. Schedule LiveScan immediately — Don’t wait for BRN to request
5. Check deficiency letters — Respond within 30 days
6. Apply for interim permit — If eligible for endorsement

Interim Permit Option

If you’re applying for endorsement, you may be eligible for an interim permit:

• Valid for 6 months
• Allows practice while awaiting full licensure
• Requires verified license from another state
• Costs included in endorsement application

Tracking Your Application

Check status online at rn.ca.gov:

1. Go to License Verification
2. Search by name or application number
3. Status updates every 1-2 weeks

BRN Contact: (916) 322-3350 or brn@dca.ca.gov

California offers interim permits—not temporary licenses—for nurses with existing licenses from other states applying for California endorsement. New graduates cannot get temporary licensure; they must wait for full license after passing NCLEX.

California Interim Permit Details

Feature	Details
Who qualifies	Endorsement applicants only
Duration	6 months
Cost	Included with endorsement application ($100)
Work allowed	Full RN scope (with limitations)
Renewal	Not renewable—must obtain full license

How to Get an Interim Permit

1. Submit endorsement application to BRN
2. Request interim permit on application
3. Provide verified license from another state
4. Complete LiveScan fingerprinting
5. Wait 2-4 weeks for permit issuance
6. Receive interim permit via mail/email

Interim Permit Limitations

Limitation	Details
Supervision	Some employers require supervision
Duration	Cannot extend beyond 6 months
Scope	May be restricted by employer policies
Renewal	If full license delayed, must stop working

Who CANNOT Get an Interim Permit

• New graduates (must complete NCLEX and full process)
• International nursing graduates
• Nurses with disciplinary actions on license
• Nurses with pending investigations
• Those without active license in another state

Alternative: Travel to California

If you hold an out-of-state license and need to work in California temporarily:

• No short-term option exists — California is not in NLC
• You must obtain California license or interim permit
• Telehealth: Must be licensed in CA to treat CA patients

Tips for Endorsement Applicants

• Apply for interim permit proactively (check box on application)
• Ensure your original state can verify your license quickly
• Complete LiveScan the same week you apply
• Monitor BRN emails for deficiency notices

Texas has NO grace period for practicing nursing with an expired license. However, you can renew a recently expired license without penalty during the first month after expiration. After that, late fees apply, and if expired over 4 years, you may need to retake the NCLEX.

Texas License Renewal/Expiration Timeline

Timeframe	Status	Requirements
Before expiration	Active	Renew online, pay $67
0-1 month expired	Can renew	$67 + no late fee
1-12 months expired	Can renew	$67 + $50 late fee
1-4 years expired	Can renew	$67 + $100 late fee + additional CE
4+ years expired	Must requalify	May need to retake NCLEX

Can I Work During the Expired Period?

No. Texas Board of Nursing is explicit:

• You cannot practice nursing with an expired license
• No grace period for working
• Practicing with expired license = practicing without a license
• This is a Class A misdemeanor in Texas

How to Renew an Expired Texas License

Within 4 years of expiration:

1. Go to BON Texas website
2. Complete renewal application
3. Pay renewal fee + late fee
4. Submit CE documentation (if delinquent)
5. License reactivates after processing (1-2 weeks)

After 4 years:

1. Contact Texas BON directly
2. May require competency evaluation
3. May need refresher course
4. Possibly retake NCLEX
5. Board determines requirements case-by-case

Avoid Expiration: Set Reminders

Action	When
Check expiration date	Now (texasbon.com license lookup)
Set calendar reminder	90 days before expiration
Complete CE	30 days before expiration
Renew online	Before expiration date
Sign up for e-Notify	Free license monitoring

Texas BON Contact

• Website: bon.texas.gov
• Phone: (512) 305-7400
• Email: Use online contact form

Nursing license processing times range from 2 weeks (fast states like Texas) to 12+ weeks (slow states like California). Endorsement applications typically process faster than new graduate applications. Processing times vary based on volume, staffing, and application completeness.

State Processing Time Comparison

State	New Graduate	Endorsement	Notes
Texas	2-3 weeks	2-4 weeks	Consistently fast
Florida	3-4 weeks	2-4 weeks	Efficient online system
North Carolina	3-4 weeks	3-5 weeks	Average processing
Pennsylvania	4-6 weeks	4-6 weeks	Recently improved
New York	6-8 weeks	4-8 weeks	Large volume
California	8-12 weeks	4-8 weeks	Slowest major state

What Causes Delays

Factor	Added Time
Incomplete application	4-8 weeks
Fingerprint issues	2-4 weeks
Transcript delays	2-6 weeks
Deficiency response	2-4 weeks per cycle
Criminal background	4-12+ weeks
Peak periods (May-Aug)	2-4 weeks

Tips for Faster Processing

1. Apply online when available
2. Order transcripts early — request before you apply
3. Complete fingerprinting immediately — don’t wait for board
4. Respond to deficiencies within 48 hours of receipt
5. Apply before graduation if your state allows
6. Track your application weekly

Temporary Permits While Waiting

State	Temporary Option	Duration
Texas	Graduate Nurse Permit	4 months
California	Interim Permit (endorsement only)	6 months
Florida	None	—
New York	Limited Permit	Until license
Most compact states	Practice under multistate	Until new license

Best Practice

Apply 8-12 weeks before you need to start working. Even “fast” states can experience delays during peak periods (graduation season) or when issues arise with your application.