Pennsylvania currently has 193,200 licensed nurses.

The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing is dedicated to ensure safety, and certify competent nurses that care for patients and their families by protecting the public from unsafe practices and unprofessional conduct among nurses. Nursing is a rewarding career that can be challenging when living in Pennsylvania.

Nurses who work hard to maintain their licenses with the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing are rewarded with a sense of pride in knowing they are providing quality care while also upholding ethical standards. 

If you are researching Pennsylvania nurses, this article will help you understand how the Pennsylvania license renewal process works, license process, minimum requirements, and more. We will also provide helpful links so you can find out more information about the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.  

Pennsylvania Nurse License Lookup

Searching for Pennsylvania Nurses?

Quickly lookup Pennsylvania licensing information such as: Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and more, in just a few clicks.

Search the Heartbeat.ai Pennsylvania Nurse Healthcare Database to perform a Pennsylvania Nurse License Lookup quickly and easily.  

How to Get a Pennsylvania Board of Nursing License?

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing is responsible for passing laws and approving regulations regarding all nursing licensure in Pennsylvania. Nurses who wish to practice in Pennsylvania must get their license from this state agency before they begin working.

Here is how you can get the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing License:

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing License Exams: Pennsylvania has its own exam requirements which are taken before the Professional Examination Committee. This is an agency that Pennsylvania created to regulate all Pennsylvania registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses. If you plan on taking nursing exams for Pennsylvania, then visit their website frequently as they regularly announce when there are special registration periods for Pennsylvania’s nursing exam.  

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Minimum Requirements

• Complete the mandatory pre-license education hours (RN and LPN) or Pennsylvania School of Health Professions equivalent coursework to be accepted by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.

• Pennsylvania licensed practical nurse candidates must have a post-secondary education that leads to a degree in nursing from an approved school. LPNs who do not wish to get a baccalaureate but still want to work as a CNA may apply directly at the official website of the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/default.aspx

• As a nurse in Pennsylvania, if you want to keep your license then it is required that you take courses on various important topics, Pennsylvania laws and rules, and how medical errors are committed.

• If it is your first time renewing a Pennsylvania nursing license, you will need to complete at least 1 hour of continuing education covering HIV/AIDs.  

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Renewal

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing audits applicant’s Continuing Education (CE) records every three years and will send a letter to the applicant with an updated license. Pennsylvania nurse license renewal applicants must use Pennsylvania’s Nursing CE Broker. Pennsylvania recognizes most out-of-state nurses if you hold current licensure in another state as long as your other state has no disciplinary actions on record, or pending against you.

Here are the things that you will need to do in order to renew your license:

• Complete CE requirements. You can check more information about CE requirements from here: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/Renewal%20Information.aspx

• Submit an application for renewal.

• Pay the fees.  

Pennsylvania NCLEX Requirements

Pennsylvania and all other states require that nurses take the NCLEX, which stands for the National Council Licensure Examination. This refers to one of the two standardized tests nurses need to pass in order to become either a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN) in Pennsylvania.

Licensing requirements for nurses in the State of Pennsylvania.
Image Credit: Pennsylvania Board of Nursing website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Do I Get a Pennsylvania Nursing License?

You can get the Pennsylvania Nursing License by applying for it on the official website of the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing and attempting the corresponding exam.

How Much Does It Cost To Renew a Pennsylvania Nursing License?

It costs around $60 dollars and there can be additional charges to renew an existing Pennsylvania nursing license.

How Do I Transfer My Nursing License To Pennsylvania?

With the help of a Pennsylvania Board of Nursing, nurses can easily and quickly get their license to work in this state. All they need is proof that over two years they had been working as nurses without any complaints or issues with licensing boards. This makes it easy for both parties involved.  

What is the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Address and Contact Information

The official Pennsylvania Board of Nursing address and contact information is listed below:

Board of Nursing Name:
Pennsylvania Board of Nursing

Physical Address:
One Penn Center 2601 N. 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

Telephone and Email Contact Information:

Phone Number:
833-367-2762
717-783-7142

Fax Number:
717-783-0822

Email:
ST-NURSE@pa.gov

Conclusion and Summary

We hope the above information will be helpful to you in order to know more about the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing, their process, renewal process, address, contact information, etc.

If you want to know more, you can check out the official Pennsylvania Board of Nursing website: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/default.aspx

Cover Image Credit: Pennsylvania Board of Nursing website.