Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Arizona
There are multiple ways to apply for and obtain your nursing license in Arizona. The state provides RN licenses by examination as well as by endorsement. It is one of the few states in the country that also provides a walk-through process in which a registered nurse can be issued a temporary state nursing license valid until their permanent license is processed in as little as an hour.
This guide will provide everything you need to know about the requirements for getting your first nursing license in Arizona, as well as for getting an Arizona nursing license after already being licensed in another state. We’ll also explain how often your Arizona nursing license will need to be renewed, and what the continuing education requirements are for doing so.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your nursing license
- How to renew your Arizona nursing license
- Licensing fees
- Continuing education requirements
- Contact information
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How to get your Arizona nursing license
Step 1: Education
Becoming a licensed registered nurse in the state of Arizona begins with earning your degree from a nursing program that has been approved by the state, or if you have graduated from an out-of-state-school you’ll need to have your transcripts, including your graduation date and type of degree sent to the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Students may have earned any of the following nursing degrees:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing – these programs provide the additional classes necessary for bachelor’s degree holders to earn their BSN.
Any and all of these educational programs provide the education you need to earn a passing score on the NCLEX-RN exam.
Step 2: Apply
The registered nurse licensing process for the state of Arizona begins with registering an account on the Arizona State Board of Nursing’s Nurse Portal. This will record your personal information and credentials, establish your lawful presence or citizenship, and your education.
Step 3. Transcripts
If you attended nursing school in the state of Arizona, your school will provide a Certificate of Completion once you have graduated and applied for licensure. Graduates of accredited out-of-state nursing programs need to have transcripts noting graduation date and type of degree sent to the Arizona State Board of Nursing at:
Arizona State Board of Nursing
1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Step 4: Citizenship/Nationality/Alien Status Documentation
A copy of documentation of citizenship, nationality, or alien status must be submitted with the application on an 8 ½” by 11″ sheet of plain paper. Acceptable documents can be found on the Citizenship and Alien Status page.
Step 5: Fingerprints
Applicants must submit a full set of fingerprints so that the Board of Nursing can conduct a state and federal criminal records check. The Arizona State Board of Nursing does not issue these cards. They must be obtained from a local facility that offers fingerprinting services.
Step 6. Take the NCLEX
Candidates for an Arizona registered nurse license must apply to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) test via Pearson VUE’s website or by calling 866-496-2539. Students who are approaching graduation should do this approximately one month before their graduation date. A $150 NCLEX-writing fee must be paid prior to the state confirming eligibility to take the test.
The NCLEX-RN exam can be scheduled at the applicant’s convenience, and the state of Arizona does not limit the number of times that a student needs to take the exam in order to pass.
How to renew your Arizona nursing license
Step 1. Submit renewal application
Arizona requires that registered nurses renew their licenses every four years. In order to renew your license you must meet one of the following four requirements:
- Fulfilled 960 hours or more of nursing in the past five years
- Graduated from a nursing program and obtained a degree within the past five years
- Completed an Arizona Board-approved refresher course in the past five years
- Obtained an advanced nursing degree in the past five years
To renew your Arizona registered nurse license, visit the Arizona Board of Nursing’s Nurse Portal, where they can submit all of the appropriate documentation, update their personal information, and pay the fees required for them to renew their license.
Step 2. Fulfill continuing competency requirements
The state of Arizona does not require registered nurses to fulfill continuing education units. Nurses are able to meet any one of four competency requirements, including taking an approved refresher course. Nurses who have not practiced for 960 hours or more in the past five years, graduated from a nursing program and obtained a degree within the past five years, or obtained an advanced nursing degree in the past five years have the option of taking a state-approved refresher course.
Step 3. Submit your renewal application
Nurses renewing their Arizona registered nurse license can apply through the Nurse Portal and provide all of the required information demonstrating their eligibility. The renewal fee is $160.00, plus a $3.00 convenience fee. A late fee will be charged for each month that goes by after May 2nd of the renewal year, up to a maximum of $200.00
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Licensing fees
The cost of applying for a registered nurses license in the state of Arizona is $150.00.
Licensing fee by examination (first-time nurses)
- NCLEX fee: $150
- Licensing and Application fee: $150.00
- Fingerprint fee: $50.00
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
Arizona is a Compact state, which means that nurses holding a license from another Compact State do not need to apply for Arizona licensure unless they are declaring themselves Arizona residents. If you are going to become an Arizona resident and hold an active license with multi-state privileges from another compact state, you will be able to use that license until you have received a new Arizona license from the state.
Eligibility for a registered nurse license by endorsement requires completion of a Board-approved nursing program, a passing score on the NCLEX, having previously held or holding a nurse license in another U.S. state or territory, and having met one of the same practice requirements as is required for renewal of an Arizona nursing license. Those are:
- Fulfilled 960 hours or more of nursing in the past five years
- Graduated from a nursing program and obtained a degree within the past five years
- Completed an Arizona Board-approved refresher course in the past five years
- Obtained an advanced nursing degree in the past five years
The process requires completing the application process through the Nurse Portal and submitting payment, as well as requesting verification for endorsement. The fee for verification through NURSYS is $30 per verification sent.
You will also need to submit fingerprints to the Arizona Board of Nursing.
The fees for licensure for endorsement are:
- Application fee – $150.00
- Fingerprint fee – $50,00
- Temporary license fee (optional) – $50
Licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Arizona whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Arizona from another state. For more information visit the Arizona licensing page.
Licensing fee by examination (first-time nurses)
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $100
- Fingerprint processing fee: $50
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
- Application fee: $150
- Temporary permit: $50
- Fingerprint processing fee: $50
- License verification: $30
License renewal fees
- Application fee: $160 (every 4 years), plus $3 convenience fee
- $50 late fee for each month after May 2nd of the renewal year, up to $200
Arizona is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.
*Fees are subject to change.
Continuing education requirements
RN/LPN
No CEUs but there are renewal requirements:
- Practiced as a nurse for 960 hours or more in the past 5 years OR
- Graduated from a nursing program and obtained a degree within past 5 years OR
- Completed an Arizona Board approved refresher course in the past 5 years OR
- Obtained an advanced nursing degree in the past 5 years (i.e. LPN to RN, RN to BSN, masters, or doctorate).
APRN
No CEUs but there are renewal requirements.
APRNs are required to submit a separate application from their RN application to renew their APRN certificate. If you have an Arizona RN license, you must renew the RN first, then a link will appear to renew your Arizona APRN certificate.
APRN Renewal applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Practiced as an advanced practice registered nurse for 960 hours or more in the past 5 years
- Hold an active Arizona RN OR current RN license with multistate privileges in another compact state.
- Hold active national certification. (Your certification will expire when your RN license expires)
- APRNs who hold an active DEA license, MUST have completed a minimum of three hours of opioid-related, substance use disorder-related or addiction-related continuing education
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Arizona State Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
How to Contact the Arizona Board of Nursing
Arizona State Board of Nursing
Phone: (602) 771-7800
Website: https://www.azbn.gov/
Address: 1740 W Adams Street, Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85007
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