Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education

The agency that licenses and disciplines nurses in Rhode Island — how to reach it, what it charges, and what it requires to keep a licence active.

NLC Compact State

Name note: Rhode Island does not call its regulator a "board of nursing". Nursing licensure here is handled by the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education. Searches for "Rhode Island board of nursing" are looking for this agency.

Contact the board

Website health.ri.gov/licensing/nurses

Phone (401) 222-5960

Email doh.elicense@health.ri.gov

Verify a Rhode Island licence Application portal

What this board regulates

Every nursing credential issued in Rhode Island, 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	$185	$35 every 2 yrs	—
LPN/LVN Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse	$295	$45 every 2 yrs	10
RN Registered Nurse	$385	$135 every 2 yrs	10
NP Nurse Practitioner	$145	$145 every 2 yrs	10
CNM Certified Nurse-Midwife	$145	$145 every 2 yrs	20
CNS Clinical Nurse Specialist	$145	$145 every 2 yrs	10
CRNA Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist	$80	$145 every 2 yrs	10

Certified nursing assistants are listed on the Rhode Island nurse aide registry, run by Rhode Island Department of Health - Nurse Aide Registry — a separate agency from the nursing board.

Multistate practice

Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island rejoined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) on January 1, 2024. With a multistate license issued by Rhode Island, you can practice in all other NLC member states without obtaining additional licenses.

How the Nurse Licensure Compact works

Frequently asked questions

How do I contact the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education?

Phone: (401) 222-5960. Email: doh.elicense@health.ri.gov. Website: https://health.ri.gov/licensing/nurses. The board is the authoritative source for licence status, disciplinary records, and application questions. Contact it directly rather than relying on third-party summaries, including this one.

What licences does the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education issue?

It handles Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Certified nursing assistants are listed on the Rhode Island nurse aide registry, run by Rhode Island Department of Health - Nurse Aide Registry, which is a separate agency from the nursing board.

Is Rhode Island a Nurse Licensure Compact state?

Yes. Rhode Island is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence issued here lets you practise in other NLC member states without applying separately in each one.

How do I verify a Rhode Island nursing licence?

Use the board's public verification tool, which is free and does not require an account. It shows current status, expiration date, and any disciplinary action. Nursys also carries Rhode Island data, though it can lag the board by up to two business days.

How often do Rhode Island nursing licences renew?

Renewal cycles vary by credential: CNA every 2 years, LPN/LVN every 2 years, RN every 2 years, NP every 2 years, CNM every 2 years, CNS every 2 years, CRNA every 2 years. Continuing education requirements are set per credential and are listed in the table above.

Clinically reviewed by Clinical Review Team

Based on 3 official sources • Last verified: June 2026

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