Kentucky Board of Nursing
The agency that licenses and disciplines nurses in Kentucky — how to reach it, what it charges, and what it requires to keep a licence active.
Contact the board
Contact via Nurse Portal message center
What this board regulates
Every nursing credential issued in Kentucky, with what it costs to get and what it takes to keep. Initial cost totals application, examination, and fingerprinting fees.
| Credential | Initial cost | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA Certified Nursing Assistant | $172 | $20
every 2 yrs | — |
| LPN/LVN Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse | $375 | $65
every 1 yr | 14 |
| RN Registered Nurse | $375 | $65
every 1 yr | 14 |
| NP Nurse Practitioner | $165 | $55
every 1 yr | 14 |
| CNM Certified Nurse-Midwife | $165 | $55
every 1 yr | 14 |
| CNS Clinical Nurse Specialist | $165 | $55
every 1 yr | 14 |
| CRNA Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $165 | $55
every 1 yr | 14 |
Certified nursing assistants are listed on the Kentucky nurse aide registry, run by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services / Nurse Aide Registry — a separate agency from the nursing board.
Multistate practice
Kentucky is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate licence issued by this board lets you practise in other NLC member states without a separate application in each one.
Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state. With a multistate license issued by Kentucky, you can practice in all other NLC member states without obtaining additional licenses.
Frequently asked questions
How do I contact the Kentucky Board of Nursing?
What licences does the Kentucky Board of Nursing issue?
Is Kentucky a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
How do I verify a Kentucky nursing licence?
How often do Kentucky nursing licences renew?
Clinically reviewed by Clinical Review Team
Based on 6 official sources • Last verified: July 2026