How to become a nurse in New York
New York licenses nurses through the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Nursing). The route is the same for every state: finish an approved program, apply to the board, pass the NCLEX, then renew on schedule. This page covers what is specific to New York.
The steps
Finish a board-approved nursing program
Choose the level you want to start at: a practical nursing certificate (about a year), an associate degree (about two years) or a bachelor's degree (about four). New York has 50 bachelor's, 67 associate degree and 66 practical nursing programs in our data. Compare BSN programs in New York.
Apply to the board for a license by examination
You apply to the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Nursing) before you can test. The board's fee for registered nurses is $143.
Register for and pass the NCLEX
The NCLEX-RN (or NCLEX-PN for practical nursing) is the national licensing exam. Registration costs $200 through Pearson VUE, rising to $350 for registrations from February 1, 2027. The exam asks between 85 and 150 questions and allows 5 hours. 82.4% of New York graduates passed the NCLEX-RN on their first try in 2025, against 86.7% nationally in 2025. NCLEX pass rates in New York.
Receive your license, then keep it current
New York offers a temporary permit while you wait to test. Licenses renew every 3 years, with continuing education required (details in the table below).
Working in more than one state
New York is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a license here covers New York only.
Source: Nurse Licensure Compact
New York licensing at a glance
| Licensing board | New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Nursing) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Board application fee, RN by exam | $143NYSED fee for licensure and first registration as an RN, which covers the license and the first 3-year registration. A limited permit costs $35 more. The NCLEX registration with Pearson VUE is separate. | Source |
| Board application fee, LPN by exam | $143NYSED fee for licensure and first registration as an LPN. A limited permit costs $35 more. | Source |
| Fingerprint background check | NoNYSED's list of requirements for licensure and registration does not include fingerprinting. Applicants answer good-moral-character questions on criminal convictions and discipline when they apply and at each renewal, and NYSED reviews any convictions case by case. | Source |
| State law exam (jurisprudence) | Not requiredNYSED's requirements list the NCLEX-RN, or another exam it accepts, as the only examination. New York does require approved child abuse reporting coursework and infection control coursework, unless the applicant has an exemption. | Source |
| Temporary permit while you wait for the exam | YesGraduates who have applied for licensure and a limited permit ($35), and who meet every requirement except the NCLEX, can practice as a 'Graduate Nurse' (GN). They must work under an RN who is on the same unit, at the facility named on the permit. The permit lasts up to 1 year, or until 10 days after notice of a failed NCLEX-RN, whichever comes first. Anyone who has ever taken the NCLEX-RN is not eligible. Graduates of NYSED-registered programs who have applied for licensure and a limited permit can practice this way for 90 days right after graduation. LPN graduates have an equivalent limited permit. | Source |
| License renewal | Every 3 yearsRegistration must be renewed every 3 years. The second registration after licensure is shortened to line up with the nurse's birth month. Practicing RNs and LPNs must complete NYSED-approved infection control coursework every 4 years unless exempt. NYSED's license requirements page lists no general contact-hour CE requirement. | Source |
Board fees are separate from the NCLEX registration fee paid to Pearson VUE. Fees and rules change; confirm with the board before you apply.
Good to know in New York
- In New York the license itself is valid for life, but a nurse can practice only while holding a current registration. Practicing on an expired registration is not allowed. Source
- Graduates of NYSED-registered RN programs completed after September 1, 1990 have already met the child abuse reporting coursework requirement. Those who graduated within the past four years have met the infection control requirement for licensure. Source
- A limited permit holder who changes employers needs a new limited permit for the new employer. Source
- New York is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses with a multistate license from another state need a New York license to practice there. Source
- The NCLEX registration fee paid to Pearson VUE rises from $200 to $350 for registrations made on or after February 1, 2027. Source
What nurses earn in New York
| Role | Median yearly pay | Employed in New York |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse | $109,440 | 205,810 |
| LPN or LVN | $67,180 | 39,400 |
| Nurse practitioner | $153,510 | 22,890 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. The median registered nurse in New York earns $11,890 more than the national median of $97,550.