How to become a nurse in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania licenses nurses through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs). 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 Pennsylvania.
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). Pennsylvania has 43 bachelor's, 27 associate degree and 49 practical nursing programs in our data. Compare BSN programs in Pennsylvania.
Apply to the board for a license by examination
You apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) before you can test. The board's fee for registered nurses is $95. Expect a fingerprint background check.
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. 90.4% of Pennsylvania graduates passed the NCLEX-RN on their first try in FY2025, against 86.7% nationally in 2025. NCLEX pass rates in Pennsylvania.
Receive your license, then keep it current
Pennsylvania offers a temporary permit while you wait to test. Licenses renew every 2 years, with continuing education required (details in the table below).
Working in more than one state
Pennsylvania is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, in effect since July 7, 2025. A nurse whose home state is Pennsylvania can hold one multistate license and practice in other compact states.
Source: Nurse Licensure Compact
Pennsylvania licensing at a glance
| Licensing board | Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Board application fee, RN by exam | $95Board fee for licensure by examination, graduates of Board-approved programs (49 Pa. Code § 21.5); graduates of out-of-state programs pay $115. Pearson VUE NCLEX fee is separate. | Source |
| Board application fee, LPN by exam | $95Board fee for PN licensure by examination, graduates of Board-approved programs (49 Pa. Code § 21.147); graduates of out-of-state programs pay $115. Pearson VUE NCLEX fee is separate. | Source |
| Fingerprint background check | YesAll new applicants must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI background check via IdentoGO; multistate applicants also need a criminal history record check from their state of residence (PA State Police if PA resident). Not required at renewal. | Source |
| State law exam (jurisprudence) | Not requiredNo jurisprudence exam listed in the Board's RN-by-examination requirements; a 3-hour child abuse recognition and reporting course is required instead. | Source |
| Temporary permit while you wait for the exam | YesGraduate RN and graduate PN temporary practice permits ($70) allow practice under on-site RN supervision for up to 1 year; the permit expires immediately if the applicant fails the licensing exam (49 Pa. Code §§ 21.7, 21.149). | Source |
| License renewal | Every 2 yearsRNs: 30 hours of Board-approved CE per biennial period, including 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting (first renewal exempt except child abuse CE); from May 1, 2026 also 2 hours on organ and tissue donation once within 5 years. LPNs: 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training per renewal (49 Pa. Code § 21.156). LPN licenses expire June 30 of even years; RN expiration dates are assigned by the Board. | 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 Pennsylvania
- Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting training before licensure; the provider reports completion directly to the Board (source: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/resources/professional-licensing-resources/licensure-processing-guides-and-timelines/nursing-guide)
- The Board cannot begin processing an RN-by-exam application until it receives notice of program completion from the school (source: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/resources/professional-licensing-resources/licensure-processing-guides-and-timelines/nursing-guide)
- Pennsylvania licenses existing before July 7, 2025 were marked single-state; a multistate license requires a separate application and PA primary residence (source: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing/nlc)
- Programs must keep an 80% first-time NCLEX pass rate each exam year (Oct 1 - Sep 30) (source: https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/nursing/2024-2025-nclex-rn-5-year-spreadsheet.pdf)
What nurses earn in Pennsylvania
| Role | Median yearly pay | Employed in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse | $96,430 | 146,520 |
| LPN or LVN | $63,940 | 38,260 |
| Nurse practitioner | $130,140 | 10,670 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. The median registered nurse in Pennsylvania earns $1,120 less than the national median of $97,550.