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Kentucky Board of Nursing Requirements

You can choose several career paths if you want to help others in your community as a healthcare professional. Considering the nationwide nursing shortage, pursuing a career as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Kentucky can be an excellent decision.

First, you must understand the nursing board requirements in Kentucky to become a nurse. The Kentucky Board of Nursing has specific requirements for pre-licensure education and nursing continuing education courses. To become a licensed practical nurse in Kentucky or a registered nurse in the state, you must meet those requirements. Additionally, you must complete nursing continuing education courses to renew your credentials and continue practicing as a nurse.

At Fast CE For Less, RNs and LPNs can utilize our affordable and convenient online nursing CEUs to renew their credentials. To help prospective professionals understand the nursing board requirements, we have created educational guides to help make better-informed decisions regarding a career in nursing. Today’s guide will help you understand the nursing board requirements in Kentucky to become an RN or LPN in the state.

How to Become a Registered Nurse

To become a registered nurse in Kentucky, you must complete a few years of specialized education and training, pass the National Council of Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and complete a required number of contact hours in nursing continuing education, as specified by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

Earn an ADN or BSN

Before you can apply to become a registered nurse in Kentucky, you must earn a degree in nursing approved by the state’s nursing board. For registered nurses, you must have at least a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a program approved by the board.

While you can apply for state licensure after completing either of the two, we recommend pursuing a BSN for your pre-licensure education. By earning the four-year degree, you will be better trained and equipped to take on higher-paying positions at the start of your career as a registered nurse in Kentucky.

You can find a complete list of nursing education programs approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing through its official website here.

Apply for a State License

Once you meet your pre-licensure nursing education requirements, you can apply for state licensure via examination. To become a registered nurse in Kentucky, you must pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

To apply to become a registered nurse in Kentucky, you must visit the Kentucky Board of Nursing’s official website here to access the board’s portal. You must also register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN and pass the examination to qualify as an RN in Kentucky.

Get Your License

Once you pass the NCLEX-RN and have completed every other process required, the Kentucky Board of Nursing will review all your documents to determine your eligibility to become a registered nurse in Kentucky. The Kentucky Board of Nursing may take up to 14 business days from the date it receives your documents to review and approve your license.

How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse

To become a licensed practical nurse in Kentucky, there is no need to complete a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN. You must have at least a high school diploma, graduate from a state board-approved practical nursing program, and apply for your license via examination through the National Council of Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Complete a Practical Nursing Program

You must have at least a high school diploma to enter into a practical nursing program. It is essential to ensure you pursue a program approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of practical nursing programs approved by the state’s nursing board through its official website here.

Apply for a State License to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse

Once you graduate from a practical nursing program approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, you can apply for state licensure to become a licensed practical nurse via examination. To become a licensed practical nurse in Kentucky, you must pass the NCLEX-PN. The NCLEX-PN is a national licensure examination for practical nurses. To apply to become a licensed practical nurse in Kentucky via examination, you must submit your licensure application to the Kentucky Board of Nursing through the portal on its website here and register with Pearson VUE to appear for the NCLEX-PN.

Once you receive approval to take the NCLEX-PN and complete the criminal background check and fingerprinting, you must take and pass the examination.

Get Your License

Once you pass the NCLEX-PN and have completed every other process required, the Kentucky Board of Nursing will review all your documents to determine whether it will grant you the license to become a licensed practical nurse in Kentucky. The Kentucky Board of Nursing may take up to 14 business days to review and approve your license.

Renewing Your Credentials After Becoming an RN or LPN in Kentucky

As the healthcare industry constantly improves, nurses across all specializations must stay updated with the latest developments throughout their careers. To ensure all nurses are up-to-date with the current best practices and techniques, each state’s nursing board throughout the country demands that registered nurses and licensed practical nurses renew their credentials every two to three years. Each state has its own requirements on how often RNs and LPNs must renew their credentials. To renew their licenses, RNs and LPNs must complete a number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses defined by the nursing board in their state.

To renew your license as an RN or LPN in Kentucky, you must complete 14 hours of nursing continuing education courses annually. The courses should include 2 hours on suicide prevention and 1.5 hours on implicit bias each year. Additionally, you must complete at least 3 hours on domestic violence and 1.5 hours on pediatric abusive head trauma the first time you renew your license. To learn more about the continuing education requirements for the Kentucky Board of Nursing, visit https://fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-kentucky/.

If you already are an RN or LPN and the time to renew your license is near, online nursing CEUs like those offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com offer an accessible and affordable solution for you to use at your convenience.

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