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Pennsylvania Nursing License

Pennsylvania Nursing License

Are you thinking of becoming a nurse in Pennsylvania? Do you want to know how much it will cost you? Do you need to learn the requirements? I guess you will definitely need a Pennsylvania Board of Nursing license verification.

To find the answers to your questions, just scroll down and look through this guide. It explains everything in some simple points.

How do I get my Pennsylvania nursing license?

Before you get your Pennsylvania nursing license, understand the requirements and try to meet them.

Step 1: Graduate from a nursing program

Once you have the high school diploma, you should select a professional nursing program to attend. Pay attention to the program: it must be approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.

The professional nursing programs have many options for earning a Bachelor’s Degree (BSN) or an Associate Degree (ADN) in nursing. As a rule, they take no more than 2-4 years.

The nursing programs mostly focus on these common concepts:

  • Health observation and assessment.
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Human development
  • Medical ethics
  • Drug classifications and use
  • Chemistry

Always remember that studying well is the key to your success. The higher the education level is, the more opportunities you will have in the future. That is why you must select a worthy program.

Check this list of professional, board-approved nursing programs:

  • Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology- ADN Nursing Program
  • Westmoreland County Community College- Associate Degree Nursing Program
  • Pennsylvania State University- College of Nursing
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology- BSN Nursing Program

Step 2: Apply for Pennsylvania nursing license

The next step is the application. Click here and submit your application.

And here is the contact information:

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing
State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Phone: (717) 783-7142

You should pay $120 for application.

It is useful to know, that Pennsylvania program graduates can apply online. Out-of-state programs graduates must use the paper application.

Criminal history check is also an important requirement for applying. Without presenting evidence of a “clean” past, the board might not accept or confirm your nursing license application.

Step 3: Examination

A candidate must register, take and successfully pass the NCLEX. The examination costs $200.

If you fail the exam, you might receive some professional material to prepare for the next attempt. Note that Pennsylvania does not limit on the number of times you can take the exam. There must only be a 45-day interval between attempts.

To retake the exam, one should pay the examination fee again for each attempt.

How long does it take to get a Pennsylvania nursing license?

Starting from the day the license application is received, it will take you about 70 business days to obtain your nursing license in the state of Pennsylvania.

Nonetheless, there might be some delays on the licensing way. Those delays depend on many factors. If the nursing school, for example, does not send the verification of completion on time, it will consequently slow the process.

Also keep in mind that you are going to spend much time on education. So, the process will not be easy and you will need to prepare and wait a lot.

Is Pennsylvania a compact state for nursing license?

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) makes it possible for Registered Nurses to have one multistate license, practicing nursing in their home state and in other compact states. Pennsylvania is not currently a licensure compact state.

While the NLC number of members continues to grow, there are, nevertheless, many states that do not want to participate. Pennsylvania is not a licensure compact state.

Pennsylvania had many bills drafted to become a member. It was, however, denied.

Back then, the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) opposed Pennsylvania to participate in the NLC, as there were many issues. The bill is not being discussed in Pennsylvania any more.

How much does a Pennsylvania nursing license cost?

To become a licensed nurse in the state of Pennsylvania, you should pay these fixed prices:

  • Application Fee: $120
  • Examination Fee: $200
  • License Renewal Fee: $297

You will spend a lot of money on professional education as well. The prices differ from institution to institution.
If you fail the exam, you will be required to pay the exam fee again.

To pay for your education, you may use many opportunities. For example, scholarships and financial aid help talented students further their education and succeed. Many organizations and individuals take responsibility for students and sponsor their education. There are also many banks, that offer student loans.

The options are different. Thus, you should find the most suitable one for you.

Seda S

Seda S

Seda has four years of professional experience as a multilingual content writer. She employs SEO principles and rules to come up with original and SEO-friendly articles. Seda also has editing, proofreading, researching, and translating skills, which help to produce better content. She has written a number of articles for a wide range of websites that look for unique and genuine content. She has written targeted content for consumer portions, and she is specialized in writing guest posts, digital marketing, wellness, beauty, and other articles. Furthermore, she has prepared guides and helping materials for websites, which help people seeking licensure in all areas. Seda has also used brand new writing techniques and style based on the article while contributing to readability, accuracy, and tonality.

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