Pennsylvania Board of Nursing: Comprehensive Licensing Guide

The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing acts relentlessly to ensure the health and safety of its residents. It operates under the authority of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA), and is made up of 12 Governor-appointed members: 

• six registered nurses, 
• two licensed practical nurses, 
• one licensed dietitian-nutritionist, 
• three community members, 
• the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

Together, they manage nearly 242,000 registered nurses in Pennsylvania. This impressive figure equals 4.57% of all licensed registered nurses in the US, ranking PA fourth in the country for active RN licenses.

The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing gathers at least once every two months and may convene extra sessions when necessary to carry out its obligations. They interact with licensees on a yearly basis on nursing and dietetics-related problems. Public sessions normally begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Eaton Conference Room (2525 N 7th Street, Harrisburg). You can also attend these meetings remotely or using audio-only access.

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Contacts

PA State Board of Nursing Laws, Rules & Regulations

The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing functions in accordance with state statute and the Department of State, as well as the Nurse Practice Act requirements. This Act sets the standards and objectives for both nursing education and practice in Pennsylvania.

The Board’s activities are critical to maintaining good standards in the field of nursing. They enforce laws and regulations, applying disciplinary sanctions as required to ensure that the highest standards are met. Another key responsibility is establishing standards for nursing education programs.

The PA BON also approves professional nurse education programs in hospitals, authorized schools, universities, and higher education institutions. In addition, the Board develops practice guidelines and manages the licensing process, including tests, endorsements, and renewals.

Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Practice Guidelines

Registered nurse roles in Pennsylvania are broad and critical to patient well-being.

• RNs gather ongoing and complete data to determine the specific nursing care needs of their patients.
• They assess the health of people and families and compare it to established norms to determine nursing care requirements.
• Nurses formulate goals and create nursing care plans that are specific to the requirements of their patients.
• They perform nursing acts that promote, upkeep, and restore people’s health.
• Nurses actively engage patients and their households in health-promoting, maintenance, and recovery activities.
• They evaluate the effectiveness and standards of the nursing treatment delivered to verify that it fulfills the necessary requirements.

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) have extra duties and authority. CRNPs have to operate within the limits of their specialized qualification while adhering to Board requirements. They are authorized to perform medical diagnoses in collaboration with physicians, following established guidelines. CRNPs can prescribe medical therapeutic or corrective measures as outlined in section 8.3 provisions.

CRNPs also have the authority to:

• Arrange for home health and hospice services.
• Order medical equipment for patients.
• Give oral orders if permitted by the health care facility’s policies.
• Refer patients to physical, respiratory, and occupational therapies, or dietitian services.
• Conduct disability assessments for temporary assistance programs.
• Issue certifications for homebound schooling.
• Perform and sign the initial assessment for methadone treatment, although only physicians can order the treatment.

Healthcare facilities maintain the power to establish the scope of practice and oversight requirements for professionals working inside their institutions. 

Board of Nursing PA Licensure Eligibility Requirements

To become a certified registered nurse in Pennsylvania, you have to satisfy many requirements. Here’s a thorough summary of the eligibility conditions.

• Completion of an Approved Nursing Program 

First, you must provide documentation that you have completed an accredited nursing program, which might be an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or certification in professional nursing.

• Examination Requirement

Then you pass the NCLEX-RN or the SBTPE. The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing mails exam results within 30 days of your test date. If you pass the exam and meet all other licensure requirements, you’ll receive your Pennsylvania RN license. If you don’t pass, you’ll get a Candidate Performance Report from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

To retake the exam, submit an application for re-examination and pay the re-exam fee to the PA BON. You’ll also need to re-register with Pearson VUE and pay the required fee again.

There is no practice requirement for licensing, therefore fresh graduates can apply immediately after finishing their nursing education.

• Continuing Education

You must attend three hours of regular training on child abuse awareness and reporting.

• Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) 

Finally, candidates must provide a recent Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the local police or appropriate state agency. This criteria applies to any states where you have lived, worked, or received professional training during the last 10 years.

Reports must be dated within 90 days of your application submission to the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.

If you currently live, work, or study in Pennsylvania, an official CHRC will be automatically generated, and the fee for this report will be included in your application submission. Due to specific state laws, Pennsylvania Board of Nursing (PA BON) cannot receive CHRCs from California, Arizona, and Ohio directly.

State Board of Nursing PA Licensing and Certification

The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing provides temporary practice permits to those who have finished nursing degrees or have a valid license in another state. This permit serves for a period of one year and may be renewed at the Board’s discretion. However, it expires if the candidate fails the licensure exam.

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) Qualifications

To become a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) in Pennsylvania, you must first complete a nurse practitioner program and then obtain certification from a board-recognized national certification organization, which includes passing a national certifying exam in your clinical specialty.

If you had been a CRNP before the new requirements went into effect, you can keep your certification under the existing regulations. For people who finished or attended in an approved courses prior to the new standards, the Board permits two years to submit an application for certification within the previous rules.

CRNPs must complete thirty hours of additional training every two years in order to maintain their certification. If you are administering medical treatment, you must have completed 16 hours of pharmacology.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

Since September of 2023, RNs (registered nurses) along with LPNs (licensed practical nurses) holding multistate licensure from Compact states have been permitted to provide in-person and virtual services to Pennsylvania patients. Once the compact is fully established, Pennsylvania nurses will be able to apply for a multistate license, enabling them to practice in other signatory states.

Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Application

This application goes through three key phases before a final decision is made:

• Phase One

During the initial review phase, you may receive authorization to take a required exam, a notice requesting additional information, or a reminder to complete any missing components.

• Phase Two

This phase might include preparing for and taking an exam, obtaining education or training documents from third-party institutions, completing background checks, or fulfilling required training hours.

• Phase Three

Once the Department has received a complete application, including your exam results, training hour confirmations, and background check outcomes, they’ll proceed to either issue or deny your license.

How to Get a Pennsylvania Nursing License

1. Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Login

Head over to the PALS website. Login with your User ID and Password.

2. Apply for New License

Once logged in, scroll to the bottom of your PALS dashboard and click “Apply for New License.” Complete all questions to proceed with your application.

3. Pay the Application Fee

If you want a Graduate Temporary Practice Permit, you can include it in the same application for an additional $70.00 fee.

4. Complete a Background Check

Next, undergo a criminal background check, including fingerprinting. This step is crucial for evaluating your suitability for licensure.

5. Await Board Review

Once you’ve submitted all required documents and your application, the PA Board of Nursing will review your submission.

The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Licensing System (PALS) also lets you update your information online and request license verification or certification. Remember, all verification requests are processed securely online, so paper forms sent to the Board office will be returned.

Licensure by Endorsement

Licensure by endorsement follows a similar process to licensure by examination but with a few additional requirements.

You need to provide proof of your initial licensure through Nursys. If your nursing education was not in English, you must pass a Board-approved English Language Proficiency Examination. Additionally, if you received your education outside of the United States, you must present a Foreign Credentials Evaluation.

PA State Nursing Board License Renewal Requirements

Complete 30 hours within your renewal period. If you earn more than 30 hours during your renewal period, you can’t carry over the extra hours to the next cycle. Renewal fees are $122.00 for RNs and $76.00 for LPNs.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) courses count towards the 30 hours of CE but can only be used once per renewal cycle.

Remember to keep all CE certificates for at least five years. Each certificate should include your name, course title, number of CE hours awarded, activity dates, providers, and the approving organization. If your employer maintains an electronic database to track your CE hours, ensure it logs all necessary details and is in a format that can be submitted to the Board.

PA Board of Nursing Fees & Cost

Licensure by Examination:

• Graduates of Board-approved nursing education programs pay $95.
• Graduates of out-of-state nursing education programs pay $115.

Licensure by Endorsement:

• A standard endorsement costs $120.
• Endorsement with examination costs $145.

Note, that fees may combine, for example if you request a temporary permit along with license application, you will need to pay $70 permit fee and $95 initial licensing fee, and education verification from your Pennsylvania nursing program confirming your successful graduation.

Pennsylvania BON Complaints & Disciplinary Actions

You must inform the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing within 30 days of the legal proceeding verdicts or during your biennial renewals application, whichever comes first. It concerns conviction, pleading guilty or no contest, or probation. If another state, territory, or nation initiates disciplinary action and issues a final order against you, the timeframe for Board notification is 90 days or on the biennial renewal application.

These reporting obligations are critical for keeping your license in good standing and in conformity with Pennsylvania Board of Nursing standards.

PA RN Board License Verification & Lookup

You can verify a nursing license using the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing license lookup tool. To request an official PA State Board of Nursing license verification for another state licensing agency, log in with your User ID and Password. Navigate to the “Professional License Details” section on your dashboard and choose “Verification/Certification” from the dropdown menu associated with the license you wish to verify.

Do not send a paper request to the Board office, as it will be returned to the sender.

PA Nursing License Useful Online Resources

• Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Login, PALS
• Pennsylvania Nursing License Lookup, PALS
• PA Code Chapter 21, State Board Of Nursing
• Nursing Licensure Guide, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• PA BON Resources and Documents, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania