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How to become a registered nurse (RN) in New York. NCLEX-RN required. Single-state license required. BSN preferred/required. CE hours: 3. Total initial fees: $343. Verified 2026-03-20. Data verified 2026-03-20. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Registered Nurse
Governing Authority
New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
80% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
NCLEX Required
No
NLC Member
Yes
BSN Required
3 hrs
CE Hours
None
Practice Hours
$343
Total Initial Fees
ADN/BSN & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
ADN or BSN
Program Accreditation
NYSED-registered nursing program (ACEN or CCNE accreditation accepted)
Accepted Degree Types
Program Length
2-4 years depending on degree type
Clinical Hours
500 hrs
Prerequisite Education
High school diploma or GED required for ADN programs; prerequisite college coursework required for BSN programs
Registered nurses must complete an approved nursing program — either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a diploma program. Programs must be accredited by ACEN or CCNE. BSN programs typically take 4 years while ADN programs take 2-3 years, both including required clinical hours.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNCLEX-RN Required
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
CAT Format
75-145 Questions
Pass/fail based on adaptive algorithm; passing standard set by NCSBN
Passing Standard
$200
NCLEX Fee
Format: Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT), 75-145 questions
Jurisprudence Exam
Not Required
Retake Policy
45-day waiting period between attempts; must re-register and pay fee for each attempt
The NCLEX-RN is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) administered by the NCSBN. The exam adapts to each candidate, with a minimum of 75 and maximum of 145 questions. A jurisprudence exam on state-specific nursing laws may also be required depending on the state.
NLC / eNLC Membership
Mostly verifiedNLC Member State
No
Multistate License
Not Available
Compact Privileges
New York is NOT a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. RNs must obtain a separate New York license to practice in this state. Active/pending NLC legislation has been introduced.
The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) allows registered nurses to hold one multistate license and practice in all compact member states without obtaining additional licenses. Nurses must meet uniform licensure requirements including a federal background check to qualify for a multistate license.
Permitted Activities & Career Pathways
VerifiedAllowed
Patient Assessment
Allowed
Care Planning
Allowed
Medication Administration
Allowed
IV Therapy
Allowed
Delegation to LPN
Allowed
Delegation to CNA
Allowed
Telehealth
Restricted Activities
Advanced Practice Specialization Pathways
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
MSN or DNP required; national certification (ANCC or AANP) and state NP certification through NYSED
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
MSN or DNP with CNS focus; state recognition as CNS through NYSED
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
DNP required (effective 2025); NBCRNA certification required for CRNA practice
Nurse Midwife (CNM)
MSN or DNP required; AMCB certification required for CNM practice
Registered nurses are authorized to perform patient assessments, develop care plans, administer medications, and provide IV therapy. RNs may delegate tasks to LPNs and CNAs under appropriate supervision. Advanced practice pathways include Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM).
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Includes $70 application fee plus $73 initial three-year registration fee | $143 |
NCLEX Fee Paid to Pearson VUE | $200 |
License Fee No separate license fee; the $143 application fee includes the initial registration | $0 |
Background Check Fee New York does not require a criminal background check or fingerprinting for RN licensure | $102 |
Renewal Fee 3-year registration renewal fee (license itself is lifetime) | $74 |
Total Initial Fees Includes $143 application/registration + $200 NCLEX; no background check fee required | $343 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Mostly verified3 years
Renewal Period
3 hrs
CE Hours Required
—
Practice Hours
Renewal Fee
$74
3-year registration renewal fee (license itself is lifetime)
Regulatory Board
Registered nurse licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education hours covering topics such as pharmacology, patient safety, and nursing ethics. Some states also require minimum practice hours for renewal to ensure ongoing clinical competency.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
Mostly verifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
NLC Member
No
Endorsement Available
Yes
Reciprocity Requirements
The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) allows registered nurses to practice in all compact member states with a single multistate license. Non-compact states require license by endorsement, which typically involves verifying NCLEX scores, submitting transcripts, passing a background check, and meeting state-specific requirements.
New York separates "license" (lifetime, never expires) from "registration" (3-year renewal required to practice). The renewal fee of $74 is for registration, not license renewal. Must maintain active registration to practice. NY uses an all-state exam format (no national section).
New York RN licenses are permanent; only the registration renews every 3 years for $73.
New York has NO general continuing education requirement for RN registration renewal. RNs must complete an infection control course every 4 years and a one-time child abuse identification course, but these are mandated trainings, not CE hours.
The BSN-in-10 law (Chapter 502, Laws of 2017, signed December 18, 2017) requires RNs who entered ADN/diploma programs after June 2020 to obtain a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure.
New York is NOT a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact; separate licensure is required to practice in NY.
New York does not require fingerprinting or criminal background checks for RN licensure; applicants self-disclose criminal history.
The NCLEX-RN is required for all RN applicants.
The $143 application fee includes $70 application + $73 initial three-year registration.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New York.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#6 of 51
Cost
#19 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141)
Entry Level
$89,360
25th percentile
Median
$105,600
+13% vs. national avg ($93,600)Experienced
$125,810
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
204,120 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Registered Nurses (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+6.2%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+199,400
over 10 years
Annual Openings
193,100
per year (avg.)
3.2M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Nursing Career Ladder+207% salary growth potential
You are here
Registered Nurse
$105,600
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$47,390
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$64,030
You are here
Registered Nurse
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$105,600
MSN or DNP + national certification
$145,390
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
NCLEX-RN — 2024National rate
91.2%
Pass Rate
Based on 186,208 candidates
Source: NCSBN NCLEX-RN Pass Rates (2024)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 110–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions — Licensing Requirements
4–12 weeks after NCLEX
Estimated processing time
Source: New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-20
Accessed 2026-03-20
Updated January 2026
Accessed 2026-03-20
New York requires passing the NCLEX-RN for RN licensure. All licensing is managed through the New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.