If you wish to practice nursing, you ought to earn a professional nursing license to work as a registered nurse in your state or the one where you plan to work. State Boards of Nursing regulate all the requirements one needs for licensure. In the state of Virginia, the Board of Nursing mandates aspiring nurses to finish a bachelor’s or associate degree in nursing, clear the licensing exam, and apply to become a licensed RN.
Once you get your licensure, it is essential to keep it up-to-date and maintain a clear record to increase the chances of retaining or getting a job. In this article, you will learn all about Virginia nursing license lookup, including the renewal period and how to retain your status.
What are the Requirements to Become a Licensed Nurse in Virginia?
To become a licensed registered nurse in Virginia, you must fulfill certain eligibility requirements. Some of them are as follows:
- An associate degree in nursing (ASN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution is a must for aspiring nurses in Virginia. If you completed the course in another country, you must provide additional documents to prove your proficiency.
- You need to show the relevant transcripts or attested copies of your documents with the application. The transcript must have the number of actual clinical hours explicitly mentioned for each course.
- Score at least the passing marks in the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The exam is conducted eight times a year. However, you can only take the test once every 45 days.
- Obtain 500 hours of direct care if you are applying for Registered Nurse (RN) licensure. If you intend to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, you only need 400 hours of direct care.
- You must provide a clear criminal background check. It has to be fingerprint-based and administered through Fieldprint VA. Before you register for fingerprint verification, you need to apply to the Board of Nursing through the online portal, where you will receive an application confirmation receipt containing a VBON Fieldprint Code.
- To sit for the exam, RN candidates must pay a fee of $190. For LPN candidates, the fee is $170.
In addition to all the above requirements, you may also have to provide proof of residence in a compact state if requested.
How to Lookup Virginia Nursing License?
To look up your licensure in Virginia, you need to visit the official website of the Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Nursing. You can click here to visit the license look-up page. You have three options to check your licensure on this page.
You can look up your licensure using your license number. You get your license number once you submit all the required documents, pay the fee, and clear the exam.
You may also use your four-digit social security number and last name to check your status.
Another way to look up licensure is to provide your name, state, occupation, zip code, the status of your licensure, or any combination of these.
If you want a duplicate license or certificate, online requests for duplicate licenses and certificates are accepted. You can mail your written request and the required duplicate license cost. You must make your check or money order payable to the “Treasurer of Virginia” when you request a duplicate.
Your name, social security number, address, and any relevant licenses or certificates should also be included in the request letter. You don’t need to pay any fee if you are a CNA, as the cost of a duplicate Certified Nurse Aide certificate is free.
How to Apply for Virginia Nursing License by Endorsement?
For those who have a valid registered license in another state, the Virginia Board of Nursing mandates them to have licensure by endorsement. To obtain the licensure, you need to apply online by paying a non-refundable fee.
You also need to submit a fingerprint-based criminal background check. You may receive a code along with your application confirming that you need to register for the fingerprinting check.
If you have a license from another state that complies with NURSYS, you cannot verify your license through the above process. You need to verify it via the NURSYS online verification system by paying a $30 fee.
How To Renew Virginia Nursing License?
In the state of Virginia, it is necessary to renew the nursing licensure once every two years. In addition, registered nurses must also engage in continuing professional nursing education of at least 30 hours. They also get 640 hours of nursing practice and 15 hours of education or teaching experience of 30 hours.
Nurses must complete continuing education from an authorized college or university or any other specified organization. However, it does not include any education obtained to fulfill disciplinary obligations.
Nurses can renew their licensure online as permitted by the Virginia Nursing Board. You will receive a renewal letter and PIN from the Virginia Department of Health Practitioners about 60 days before your nursing licensure expiration.
For online renewal of licensure, nurses must provide a username and password or PIN along with paying a fee of $140. If you have surpassed your renewal period, you have to pay an additional $50 as a late fee along with the renewal fee.
Things to Remember While Renewing Nursing License in Virginia
If you already hold a registered nursing license from a compact state, you cannot renew your nurse practitioner license online. You must present a copy of your active multi-state compact nursing license from that state.
If you obtained your nurse practitioner license before May 8, 2002, you are required to complete at least 40 hours of continuing education in the specialty practice from one of the certifying organizations listed in 18 VAC 90-30-90 or maintain a current professional certification.
However, you are only required to possess current professional certification in the specialty practice area from one of the certifying organizations listed in 18 VAC 90-30-90 if your nurse practitioner license was granted after May 8, 2002.
Winding Up
Looking up a nursing license in Virginia is quick and easy. All you need to do is to visit the official website of the Board of Nursing and provide t