A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in Oklahoma

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s low housing and rental costs and overall low cost of living are just a few of the reasons why it’s a great place to live and work. The state’s residents enjoy all four seasons, with an average of 234 sunny days per year. Crime rates are low, education is a top priority, and there are plenty of wide-open spaces.

In this article, we will cover:

• How to get your Oklahoma nursing license by exam
• How to get your license by endorsement
• How to renew your Oklahoma nursing license
• Licensing fees
• Continuing education requirements
• How to contact the Oklahoma Board of Nursing

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How to get your Oklahoma nursing license by examination

Step 1: Education

Oklahoma boasts many accredited programs where you can earn your nursing degree. Whether you opt for an associate degree program, a baccalaureate program, or attend an out-of-state school, once your graduation is in sight it is time to begin the licensure application process. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing recommends that you submit your application for licensure by examination approximately two months before graduation in order to provide adequate time for processing. 

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.

Step 2: Apply

Applications for licensure by examination are submitted online via the Nurse Portal, and all supporting documentation can be uploaded there as well. You will be asked to provide a Social Security number on the application, as well as either evidence of U.S. citizenship or of being a qualified alien. 

You will also be asked to:

• Pay an $85 application fee
• Submit to a background check
• Ensure that an official transcript is provided by your nursing program to the Board
• Register for the NCLEX exam
  • This can be done online at www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/ or by phone at 866-496-2539. The fee for registration is $200.

Step 3: Submit Transcripts

Though many Oklahoma-based nursing education programs automatically submit graduate transcripts to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing after graduating a class of students, this is a courtesy rather than a requirement. If you attended an Oklahoma nursing program, it is your responsibility to check with the director of the program to see whether this has been done.

Graduates of out-of-state programs should ask that the school send an official copy of their transcript to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. These graduates must also submit course descriptions for all nursing and related courses for the Board’s evaluation.

All transcripts must include the conferral date of the degree earned. 

Transcripts should be sent to: 

Oklahoma Board of Nursing
2501 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 207
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)

All candidates for nurse licensure are required to submit fingerprints so that a state and national criminal background check can be conducted by both the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. Fingerprints cannot be submitted more than ninety days prior to submitting your application for licensure. 

Oklahoma residents can make appointments to have their fingerprints processed at an Idemia-sponsored IdentoGO center within the state by visiting the company’s website or by phone at 1-(877)-219-0197.  

Out-of-state residents will be mailed fingerprint cards that must be taken to a local law enforcement agency. You must use these specific cards as well as the self-addressed envelope provided. The agency that collects your fingerprints will use this envelope to mail them directly to an Idemia-sponsored IdentoGO center. You are responsible for postage and processing fees. 

Step 5: Take the NCLEX

Once your application is complete, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing will notify Pearson VUE that you are eligible to proceed with the NCLEX test and Pearson VUE will email you an Authorization to Test. You have 90 days from receipt of this authorization to schedule and take the NCLEX exam, which confirms your readiness to move forward with your nursing career. The test covers many subjects, all of which are covered by accredited nursing programs. Topics include: 

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Management of Care  
• Safety and Infection Control 
• Health Promotion and Maintenance 
• Psychosocial Integrity 
• Physiological Integrity 
• Basic Care and Comfort 
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 
• Physiological Adaptation 

Once you have passed the NCLEX examination, your Oklahoma registered nurse license will be issued. If you do not pass the NCLEX, you will need to complete an application for re-writing the licensure examination at the Nurse Portal and pay a $85 fee, as well as complete an NCLEX registration through Pearson VUE and pay the $200 testing fee. Candidates can retake the exam up to eight times per year but must wait 45 days between testing dates.

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Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)

If you are licensed in another state and wish to be licensed in the state of Oklahoma, you will need to submit an application for licensure by endorsement. This application can be submitted online through the Nurse Portal. You can also request a paper copy of the application by submitting a written request to the Board office at: 

2501 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 207
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

You must include a postage-paid 8 ½ x 11-inch return envelope. 

To qualify for licensure by endorsement, you will need to provide:

• Verification of citizenship status.
• Proof of graduation from a state board-approved program of registered nursing in the form of an official transcript submitted directly from the program to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Transcript must show the diploma or degree and the date conferred.
• Verification of completion of the licensure examination.
• Verification of licensure from your original state of licensure. If the state participates with NURSYS, request verification through their website. Nurses licensed in non-participating states should request verification be sent by the licensing state’s board to the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing at:

2501 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 207
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

• Evidence of continuing qualifications for practice in the form of having met one of the following requirements in the last five years:
  • An official transcript or certificate of completion of a Board-approved nurse refresher course.
  • Having passed the NCLEX
  • An official transcript verifying successful completion of at least six academic semester credit hours of nursing courses including both classroom and clinical instruction 
  • Employment Verification Form and accompanying job description demonstrating at least 520 work hours in a position requiring nurse licensure during the past five years. This must be submitted directly to the Board by the employer.
  • Evidence of having completed at least 24 hours of continuing education applicable to nursing practice
  • Current certification in a nursing specialty area.
• If you took and passed the NCLEX for initial licensure within the last two years, you must provide one of the following:
  • Evidence of completion of the nursing education program within two years of initial application for licensure by examination
  • Employment Verification Form of at least six months work experience in the state, U.S. territory, or country of licensure
  • Successful completion of a Board-approved refresher course
  • Successful completion of a nursing program

How to renew your Oklahoma nursing license

Step 1: When to submit your renewal application

Oklahoma’s registered nursing licenses expire the last day of the licensee’s birth month in even-numbered years following the time that it was issued. A renewal reminder letter is sent approximately three months before the license expiration date. The fee is $75. 

If you prefer to use a paper renewal form or do not have a credit card or bank account, you can request that a hard-copy renewal form be mailed to you by submitting a letter of request and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing at:

2501 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 207
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

This letter of request must be received in the Board office at least one month before your expiration date; otherwise, you must renew online.

Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements

To renew your nursing license, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing requires that you meet one of the following qualifications:

•   Verification of having worked in a position requiring a registered nursing license for at least 520 work hours; or
• Completion of at least 24 contact hours of continuing education applicable to nursing practice; or
• Certification in a nursing specialty area; or
• Completion of a Board-approved refresher course; or
• Completion of at least six academic semester credit hours of nursing coursework at the licensee’s current level of licensure or higher.

When submitting your application for renewal you will be asked to verify that you have met the continuing qualifications for practice. If you are audited, you will be asked to provide supporting documentation, so keep all records.

To help you meet your continuing education requirements, Incredible Health offers free Oklahoma continuing education units. Once completed, the website provides immediate certificates for your records.

Step 3: Submit your renewal application

Your renewal application can be completed and your $75 fee submitted through the Nurse Portal.

Virginia nursing licensing fees

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Oklahoma whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Oklahoma from another state. For more information visit the Oklahoma licensing information page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX exam fee: $200
• Application fee: $85 (RN/LPN, $150 multistate)

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fees: $85 (RN/LPN, $150 multistate); $70 (APRN, $85 Rx authority)
• Temporary license (if requested): $10

License renewal fees

• Application fees: $75 (RN/LPN); $45 (APRN)

Additionally, Oklahoma is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.

*Fees are subject to change.
**Most states require a background check, but prices are not always listed.

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Continuing education requirements

RN/LPN: 24 contact hours every 2 years; or

• Provide proof of employment in a position that requires RNs/LPNs to verify 520 work hours every two years; or
• Show proof of certification in a nursing specialty area; or
• Complete refresher course that is Board-approved; or
• Complete a minimum of six credit hours in nursing coursework that correlates with the nurse’s current level of licensure or higher

APRN:

• 24 contact hours every 2 years (15 hours in pharmacotherapeutic); and 
• 2 hours of education in pain management or 2 hours of education in opioid use or addiction
• Maintain national certification
• More information on APRN CE requirements at Oklahoma APRN CE requirements

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.

How to contact the Oklahoma Board of Nursing

Oklahoma Board of Nursing
Phone: (405) 962-1800
Fax: (405) 962-1821

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://nursing.ok.gov/

2501 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 207
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

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