Registered nurses working in Utah enjoy tremendous career opportunities in a state with a thriving economy. The abundant natural beauty and wide open spaces invite outdoor activities and healthy living that has led to some of the lowest rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure in the nation.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your Utah nursing license by exam
- How to get your license by endorsement
- How to renew your Utah nursing license
- Licensing fees
- Continuing education requirements
- How to contact the Utah Board of Nursing
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How to get your Utah nursing license by examination
Step 1: Education
Maybe you want to start your career as soon as possible, so you chose a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing program. Maybe you wanted the full college experience and attended a four-year bachelor’s program. Whatever type of nursing degree you’ve earned, it’s the first step in your path to qualifying to take the NCLEX exam and getting your Utah nursing license.
- 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: Take the NCLEX
Utah asks nurse candidates to register for the NCLEX exam before applying for licensure, and only after passing the test can you apply for your license.
To start, create an NCLEX account at Pearson VUE and pay the $200 testing fee. It is important that when you sign on you select the program code that matches the type of nursing degree you earned.
After registering for the exam, log on to the Utah Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing’s website and submit an Authorization to Test application, found under the Exam Information tab. You can apply online or use a manual form, which must be sent with official transcripts to [email protected] or by mail to:
Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Heber M. Wells Building
160 East 300 South
P.O. Box 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
Official transcripts must be submitted at the same time as the request for authorization to test application.
The NCLEX will test your knowledge of the foundational information you were taught during your nursing program, including:
- 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
Step 3: Submit Transcripts and Request for Authorization to Test
After registering for the exam, log on to the Utah Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing’s website and submit an Authorization to Test application, found under the Exam Information tab. You can apply online or use a manual form, which must be sent with official transcripts to [email protected] or by mail to:
Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Heber M. Wells Building
160 East 300 South
P.O. Box 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
Official transcripts must be submitted at the same time as the request for authorization to test application. Transcripts must have the school seal, a date of graduation, and the degree that you earned. In addition to submitting them to the email address listed above, transcripts can be sent via a 3rd party clearinghouse to [email protected] by your school’s registrar.
Step 4: Apply for Licensure
If you’ve passed the NCLEX, your next step is to apply for your initial registered nurse license. If you did not pass, you will be sent a candidate report detailing the results of your exam results. You can then pay the $200 examination fee again, email the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing at [email protected] to request being made eligible for the exam again, and retake the examination in 45 days.
The application for licensure can be found online here. It can also be printed out and mailed in. The fee is $90.00
Step 5: Fingerprints
The state of Utah also requires that you submit fingerprints to complete the application process. You must have an application on file or be prepared to submit your application at the time of your appointment.
Local applicants can make an appointment here to have their prints taken at the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing office at 160 E. 300 S. Salt Lake City. You will need valid government identification.
Candidates who cannot have their fingerprints taken at the Salt Lake City office must include two completed blue fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) with their application.
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Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
If you are a registered nurse who has already passed the NCLEX and is licensed in another state, switching your license to Utah requires following the licensure by endorsement process.
To qualify for licensure by endorsement, you must have held the equivalent licensure in the state you are moving from for at least one year and your license must be active and in good standing.
You must:
- Submit a complete application for licensure, including fingerprints and the appropriate fees.
- To go through the fingerprint process, you must have an application on file or be prepared to submit your application at the time of your appointment.
- Local applicants can make an appointment here to have their prints taken at the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing office at 160 E. 300 S. Salt Lake City. You will need valid government identification.
- Candidates who cannot have their fingerprints taken at the Salt Lake City office must include two completed blue fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) with their application.
- You will be asked to submit official verification of your license. This can be submitted via the NURSYS program if you are coming from a Nursys participating state. If your state does not participate with NURSYS, you must request verification from the state board of nursing and have it sent directly to the State of Utah at this address:
Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Heber M. Wells Building
160 East 300 South
P.O. Box 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
How to renew your Utah nursing license
Step 1: When to submit your renewal application
Utah’s registered nurse licenses expire every two years on January 31 of years ending in odd numbers. At least 60 days before your license expires, the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing will mail you a renewal notice.
Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements
To renew your Utah nursing license, you must either practice for at least 400 hours or practice for at least 200 hours and complete 15 hours of approved continuing education. You can also choose to complete 30 hours of approved continuing education.
You must also complete at least one of the following online suicide prevention trainings, which do count towards your required CE credits.
- Suicide prevention (0.5 credit)
- Supporting patients (0.5 credit)
- Collaborative safety planning (0.5 credit)
- CALM-UTAH (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (1 credit))
Incredible Health is here to help you meet your continuing competency requirements. We offer free Utah CEUs that are easy to access, as well as immediate certification of completion.
Step 3: Submit your renewal application
To submit your renewal application, visit this page and mark off the two indicators that you have completed the state’s renewal requirements. Only when you have confirmed both your practice hour/continuing education requirement and your suicide prevention requirement will you be permitted to proceed with the application.
Utah nursing licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Utah whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Utah from another state. For more information visit the Utah licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX exam fee: $200
- Application fee: $60 (LPN/RN) $100 (APRN)
- Fingerprint processing fee: $10
- Criminal background check fee: $20
Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $60 (RN/LPN); $100 (APRN)
- Fingerprint processing fee: $10
- Criminal background check fee: $20
License renewal fees:
- Application fee: $68 (RN/LPN); $78 (APRN)
Additionally, Utah is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.
*Fees are subject to change.
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Continuing education requirements
RN: Renewal period is every 2 years
Choose one of the following options:
- 15 hours of continuing education related to nursing and 200 of practice hours; or
- 30 hours of continuing education; or
- 400 hours of licensed practice
LPN: Renewal period is every 2 years
Choose one of the following options:
- 15 hours of continuing education related to nursing and 200 of practice hours; or
- 30 hours of continuing education; or
- 400 hours of licensed practice
APRN: Renewal period is every 2 years
- Must maintain national certification: and
- Must be currently certified in specialty area; or
- 30 hours of CEUs and 400 hours of practice each year; and
- APRNs with prescriptive authority are required an additional 3.5 hours in controlled substances prescribing, plus .5 hours from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing online tutorial
How to contact the Utah Board of Nursing
Utah Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Phone: (801) 530-6628
Fax: (801) 530-6511
Website: https://dopl.utah.gov/nurse/index.html
Heber M. Wells Bldg., 4th Floor, 160
East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
