List of State Boards of Nursing
Each state in America has a board of nursing (BON) to whom all nurses in the jurisdiction must answer if they want to work in the nursing profession. Do you have questions about license renewal, or how to work as a nurse in another state? You’ll want to check with state nursing boards to get trusted answers.
Instead of rummaging through search results to find a BON site, our list of state boards of nursing is your one-stop shop. Sometimes a nursing board website is just one small part of a complex department of health or other government-type site, which can be difficult to navigate. We make it easy for you to contact the official BON you’re looking for.
What Does the Board of Nursing Do?
BONs protect the public by ensuring nurses continuously meet the necessary educational requirements to practice safely, hold nurses accountable if they jeopardize patient safety, and monitor the movement of practicing nurses within and across state lines. The below list of state boards of nursing can also provide resources for:
Continuing education. Healthcare is always undergoing changes thanks to advances in science and new research findings, not to mention the many ways technology has affected the field overall. As such, nursing professionals need to keep abreast of the latest developments. Different states have different mandates when it comes to continuing education for advanced practice registered nurses (such as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists), registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants. The state board of nursing determines the number of contact hours, the frequency with which they must be obtained, as well as specific courses that must be completed.
Instructions for how to obtain licensure. If you recently passed the NCLEX and are ready to start working, you’ll first need to obtain a license to practice in your state. This can involve a number of steps, which may include completing a criminal background check, filling out an application, paying a fee, and other things. If you’re moving to a new state, you might have to get a license by endorsement (unless the state to which you’re moving is part of the Nursing Licensure Compact). The state BON will have instructions for first-time licensees as well as current nursing professionals.
Updates on industry changes impacting nursing practices. For example, perhaps the scope of practice determinations in your area has been affected be recent legislation. This information can be found on a BON site.
Check out our comprehensive list of state boards of nursing:
BONs Are Here to Help You — So Is IntelyCare
Our list of state boards of nursing can save you time and energy as you seek answers to your questions. Looking for more career advice? Find out how IntelyCare can help you stay up to date on the latest nursing job opportunities.