Licensure

Licensure is how boards of nursing grant individuals permission to practice nursing after determining applicants are competent. Licensure is necessary for complex activities that require specialized knowledge, skill and independent decision making. The licensure process ensures all nurses have the necessary skills to safely perform a specified scope of practice.

Licensure Requirements

Licensure requirements for each jurisdiction is available in the Nurse Licensure Guidance tool and on the jurisdiction's website. You can also find the nurse practice act and regulations on their sites.

Uniform Licensure Requirements

Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs) are the essential prerequisites for initial, endorsement, renewal and reinstatement licensure needed across every NCSBN jurisdiction to ensure the safe and competent practice of nursing. NCSBN established the list in 1999 and updated it in 2011.

Download ULRs

U.S. Nursing Regulatory Bodies (NRBs)

These governmental agencies regulate nursing practice.

Learn More About NRBs

Fraud Detection Guidance for Employers and Educators

While most nurses are honest, competent and caring, there are occasional bad actors. This paper provides nurse educators and employers with recommendations for identifying fraud when reviewing nurse applications and transcripts.

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