Website link: https://www.azbn.gov/
Arizona is a Compact State
- Arizona is part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) and no longer part of the Original Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
- A list of states participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact is available at https://www.ncsbn.org/enhanced-nlc-implementation.htm.
- An applicant for licensure as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse who meets certain requirements is eligible for multistate licensure. Once the Board grants the multistate license, the nurse can then engage in nursing practice in any of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact states without having to obtain additional licenses. Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the criteria for issuance of a multistate license. If you do not meet the criteria for a multistate license but you do meet the criteria for a single state license, a single state license will be issued to you.
- Requirements for Multistate Licensure:
- Meet the requirements for licensure in the state of Arizona
- Has graduated from a board-approved education program or has graduated from an international education program (approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and verified by an independent credential review agency
- Has passed an English proficiency examination (applies to graduates of an international education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual’s native language
- Has passed the NCLEX or predecessor exam
- Is eligible for or holes an active unencumbered license (i.e., without active discipline)
- Has submitted fingerprints for state and federal background becks
- Has no state or federal felony convictions
- Has no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing
- Is not currently a participant in an alternative program
- Is required to self-disclose current participation in an alternative program
- Has a valid United States social security number
Documents Required for the process:
Requirements for Applicants Educated in a Foreign Country (Including Canada and *Puerto Rico)
IMPORTANT: All information from any of the selected agencies listed in Educational Requirements and Language Validation, must be sent directly to AZBN from the agency.
Foreign Educated Professional or Practical Nurses Must Meet the Following Requirements:
Validation of Educational Requirements
- Request an application from Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International (CGFNS) to obtain one of the following:
- CES Professional Report.
- Verification of VisaScreen ® Certificate.
- Verification of CGFNS Certification (Option not available for practical nurses).
OR
- Request or download an application from Educational Records Evaluation Services (ERES) to complete an Education Equivalency Report.
OR
- Request or download an application from Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. to complete an education equivalency report, specifically a ‘licensing for nursing, basic report’.
OR
- If educated in Canada, have the Canadian licensure board submit a passing score on the English language version of the NCLEX, CNATS or CRNE (Canadian Licensure Exam) AND and a verification of a Canadian licensure status directly to AZBN. *If the Canadian verification does not include your education verification then a verification report would be required (please refer to the agencies below).
PLEASE NOTE: Exception- RN endorsement applicants who have completed their basic nursing education in a foreign country are exempt from the education requirement if they have obtained a BSN or graduate degree in nursing from an approved program in the United States AND worked at least 960 hours within the past five years prior to the application submission date. Transcripts from the U.S. nursing program are required and must be sent directly from the education institution to the Arizona State Board of Nursing either by mail to 1740 W Adams St., Ste 2000, Phoenix, AZ 85007 or by email to [email protected]. The transcript must show the name of the nursing program, city, state, graduation date, and graduation degree. Transcripts CANNOT come from you. If you obtained a higher nursing degree and would like to be exempt from the education requirement, you will need to provide a written statement to the Arizona State Board of Nursing stating that you are wanting to use the HIGHEST DEGREE in place of CGFNS. This exemption will disqualify applicants from obtaining a multistate license.
Validation of English Language Skills
(If you are an exam applicant you MUST meet the English Language requirement BEFORE taking the NCLEX Exam.)
Exemptions from Validation of English Language Skills requirement:
- If you have graduated from a nursing program in a country or territory where the principle language is English (i.e. Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, Trinidad, Tobago, South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica, Barbados, or United States territory) you do not need to validate your English language skills.
OR
- If you have been employed as a nurse for 960 hours or more within the past 5 years in a country or territory where the principal language is English (see countries/territories above) you do not need to validate your English language skills.
- If the principal language of the country where your nursing program was given is a language other than English, you are required to obtain one of the following options:
- Internet-based (iBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 84 and a minimum speaking score of 26. To have results sent to AZBN use the code 9680 when completing the application.
OR
- International English Language Test Service Academic Examination (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5 on the Overall Band Score with a minimum of 6.0 on each module.
OR
- Pearson test of English Academic Exam with a minimum score of 55 overall and a minimum score of 50 on each section.
OR
- Visa Screen Certificate from CGFNS.
Items to Complete for Licensure
- COMPLETE THE NCLEX REGISTRATION by going to pearsonvue.com/nclex OR by phone 866-496-2539
- REQUEST OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS – Sent by the program directly to Arizona State Board of Nursing (for out-of-state graduates)
- CITIZENSHIP / NATIONALITY / ALIEN STATUS DOCUMENTATION
- All applicants must upload a copy of documentation regarding citizenship/nationality/alien status. A copy of the document must be submitted on an 8½ x 11 sheet of plain white paper and submitted with the application. For a list of acceptable documents visit the Citizenship and Alien Status page.
- SUBMIT A FINGERPRINT CARD
- You are required to submit a full set of fingerprints, for the purpose of obtaining State and Federal criminal record checks.
- You are only exempt from this requirement if you have submitted a fingerprint card to the Arizona State Board of Nursing within the previous two years.
- A copy of a clearance card issued by DPS is not a substitute.
- A fingerprint card can be obtained from any local facility that offers fingerprinting services. Call your local police department, sheriff’s office or check for names of private agencies where you can obtain fingerprints. (The agency you use must validate your identification with a driver’s license or a state issued ID. The agency will provide the fingerprint card for you to use. Fingerprints done by an applicant on themselves will not be accepted and will delay processing time.)
- Please remember to submit your fingerprint card as soon as possible to expedite the process.
- A permanent license will not be issued until fingerprint results are received.
- Results can take approximately 8-12 weeks to receive.
Additional Information
Fees and Payment Methods
All fees are in US Dollars and are non-refundable.
- Application Fee: $150.00
- Writing for NLCEX Fee: $150.00
- Background Check Fee: up to $50.00 (required, unless submitted within the previous 2 years).
- Credit/Debit Card
Felony Convictions
The Board shall revoke a nursing license or multistate privileges or deny licensure if the applicant has one or more felony convictions that have not previously been disclosed to the Board and has not received an absolute discharge from the sentences for all felony convictions 3 or more years prior to the date of filing an application. If this law pertains to you, your application will be processed, and proceedings for revocation of your Arizona license or multistate privileges in Arizona or denial of your application shall be instituted by the Board.
Reporting of Criminal Charges
Applicants for licensure / certification must notify the Arizona State Board of Nursing of criminal charges within 10 days of being charged.
Time Frames for Licensure
The Board is required to process applications for licensure within certain time periods, per R4-19-102 in the Nurse Practice Act.
Deficiency Notice
When you submit an application, the Board will send you a deficiency notice identifying any elements of the application process which remain outstanding. If you fail to respond to a deficiency notice within the applicable time period, your application will be withdrawn. After withdrawal, if you are still interested in obtaining licensure you would need to submit a new application and applicable fee.
