US-PA — nursing

Jurisdiction: US-PA · Profession: nursing

Regulator: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs)

Last verified: 2026-10-06

Status: 0 current, 29 unverified, 0 disputed

Eligibility and education

Pennsylvania RN licensure requires evidence of education equal to a standard high school course and completion of an approved professional nursing program.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFK9323
Approved RN nursing programs in Pennsylvania include baccalaureate degree, associate degree and diploma nursing programs.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFME41E
Pennsylvania LPN licensure requires completion of at least twelve years of education with a diploma or its evaluated equivalent.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFNP913
Pennsylvania LPN licensure requires an approved practical nursing program of at least 1,500 hours within at least twelve months.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFPV5E1
Pennsylvania LPN licensure applicants must be eighteen years of age or over.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFR1737

Examinations

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing examines eligible RN licensure applicants at least once every year.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFS5D78
The Pennsylvania board examines eligible LPN licensure applicants at least twice each year.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFT9948
Pennsylvania may not deny RN licensure examination access to graduates of State-approved associate degree, diploma or baccalaureate degree nursing programs.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFVEC9C
Pennsylvania may not deny LPN licensure examination access to graduates of a one-year State-approved practical nursing program.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFWM0EE

Application fees

A Pennsylvania RN licensure application must be accompanied by a fee determined by the Board by regulation.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFXS2D9
A Pennsylvania LPN licensure application must be accompanied by a fee determined by the board by regulation.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYFYZ9C8
Pennsylvania charges a $70 graduate nurse temporary practice permit fee along with a $95 initial licensing fee.[Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board of Nursing · Nursing | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYG049BC
Pennsylvania charges an initial nursing licensing fee of $95.[Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board of Nursing · Nursing | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYG1C7FA

Background checks

Pennsylvania may not license an RN applicant convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, subject to exceptions.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYG2SA2A
For the controlled-substance felony exception, Pennsylvania requires at least ten years to have elapsed from the date of conviction.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYG44522
Pennsylvania may not license an LPN applicant convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, subject to exceptions.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYG5A533

Timelines

Pennsylvania may issue an RN temporary practice permit that is nonrenewable and valid for one year.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGDPF48
Pennsylvania may issue an LPN temporary practice permit that is nonrenewable and valid for one year.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGEZ498

Renewal and continuing education

Pennsylvania RN licenses expire on October 31 of each biennium.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYG6G31E
Pennsylvania LPN licenses expire on June 30 of each biennium.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYG7QDD4
Pennsylvania RN licensees must complete thirty hours of mandatory continuing education during each two-year license period.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYG8XE5B
A first-time Pennsylvania licensee is exempt from the continuing education requirement for the biennial renewal period following initial licensure.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGA3AD8

Reciprocity and mobility

Pennsylvania may issue an RN license without examination to an equivalent graduate registered or licensed by examination in another state, territory or the Dominion of Canada.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGB881C
Pennsylvania may license without examination an LPN who graduated from an approved out-of-state practical nursing school under specified conditions.[Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGCE9F4
Nurses who live in Pennsylvania can apply to care for patients in more than 30 other states and U.S. territories through the Nurse Licensure Compact.[Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board of Nursing · Nursing | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGKZB55

Regulator contact

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing protects the public through the licensure, certification and regulation of the practice of professional nurses.[Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board of Nursing · Nursing | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGG63F3
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing can be reached by telephone at 1-833-DOS-BPOA.[Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board of Nursing · Nursing | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGHF239
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing's mailing address is P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649.[Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board of Nursing · Nursing | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGJQF60

Recent changes

Beginning October 10, 2026, the Pennsylvania Board will accept CRNA certification applications.[Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board of Nursing · Nursing | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing, retrieved 2026-10-06]single official source, verified 2026-10-06clm_00001M47RYGN7CBB

Sources

Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69 (63 P.S. 211 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1951/0/0069..HTM · retrieved 2026-10-06
Pennsylvania General Assembly (Legislative Reference Bureau) · The Practical Nurse Law, Act of May 2, 1955 (P.L. 208, No. 37) (63 P.S. 651 et seq.) · https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1955/0/0376..HTM · retrieved 2026-10-06
Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board of Nursing · Nursing | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/nursing · retrieved 2026-10-06

Claim ids

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