🩺 Registered Nurse License Requirements by State

Compare registered nurse license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level registered nurse license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $200–$200. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$200	$63,450
AKAlaska	Required	—	$200	$89,120
AZArizona	Required	—	$200	$78,340
ARArkansas	Required	—	$200	$62,670
CACalifornia	Required	—	$200	$124,000
COColorado	Required	—	$200	$82,890
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$200	$88,340
DEDelaware	Required	—	$200	$76,230
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$200	$98,670
FLFlorida	Required	—	$200	$72,890
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$200	$74,120
HIHawaii	Required	—	$200	$104,670
IDIdaho	Required	—	$200	$72,340
ILIllinois	Required	—	$200	$78,670
INIndiana	Required	—	$200	$70,120
IAIowa	Required	—	$200	$66,450
KSKansas	Required	—	$200	$66,890
KYKentucky	Required	—	$200	$67,670
LALouisiana	Required	—	$200	$66,230
MEMaine	Required	—	$200	$72,900
MDMaryland	Required	—	$200	$82,340
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$200	$96,120
MIMichigan	Required	—	$200	$76,450
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$200	$82,340
MSMississippi	Required	—	$200	$61,780
MOMissouri	Required	—	$200	$68,670
MTMontana	Required	—	$200	$72,900
NENebraska	Required	—	$200	$65,780
NVNevada	Required	—	$200	$89,340
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$200	$76,120
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$200	$92,560
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$200	$76,230
NYNew York	Required	—	$200	$96,670
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$200	$72,890
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$200	$66,340
OHOhio	Required	—	$200	$72,230
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$200	$66,340
OROregon	Required	—	$200	$96,120
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$200	$78,560
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$200	$82,450
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$200	$68,670
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$200	$60,120
TNTennessee	Required	—	$200	$66,340
TXTexas	Required	—	$200	$78,890
UTUtah	Required	—	$200	$68,120
VTVermont	Required	—	$200	$72,900
VAVirginia	Required	—	$200	$76,340
WAWashington	Required	—	$200	$98,670
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$200	$66,340
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$200	$72,670
WYWyoming	Required	—	$200	$72,900

Common questions about registered nurse licensing

Do all states require a registered nurse license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level registered nurse license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a registered nurse license?

Application fees across the states range $200–$200. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a registered nurse license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.