What actions should a nurse who wishes to practice in another state take initially

Certified Nurse Aide

Initial applications for Certified Nurse Aide by Endorsement are accepted exclusively online through the Virginia Board of Nursing.  Click Here to initiate the application process.

Initial applications for Certified Nurse Aide by Examination in Virginia are processed through the testing service - Credentia.  Please click here to link to Credentia's website for information and an application to sit for the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Test ("State Board").

If you are unsure of how to apply, please see our Application Wizard for guidance.

Reinstatement Application

CNA Reinstatement Application and Instructions

Advanced Certified Nurse Aide

Initial applications for Advanced Certified Nurse Aide certification are accepted exclusively online through the Virginia Board of Nursing. Click Here to initiate the application process. 

In order to qualify as an advanced certified nurse aide, you must meet the requirements set forth under 18VAC90-25-110 (A):

• Hold current certification as a certified nurse aide in Virginia;
• Have been certified for at least three years as a certified nurse aide;
• Have never had a finding of abuse, neglect or misappropriation of patient property entered on a nurse aide registry in any jurisdiction and have not had any disciplinary actions taken by the board within the five years preceding application for advanced certification;
• Have a recommendation for advanced certification from a licensed nurse who has supervised the applicant in providing direct patient care for at least six months within the past year; and
• Have successfully completed a minimum of 120 hours of advanced training in an approved program that includes a competency evaluation acceptable to the board.

Advanced Reinstatement Application

Advanced CNA Reinstatement Application and Instructions

The Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine promulgated regulation changes that resulted in the elimination of the requirement for nurse practitioners to obtain/maintain a separate prescriptive (Rx) authority license (#0017). Read more here.

NOTE:  If you already have a Nurse Practitioner license and you wish to add Authorization to Prescribe (Prescriptive Authority), you will need to contact the Board of Nursing at (804) 367-4515 to have a paper Application for Licensure as a License Nurse Practitioner mailed to you.  You cannot use the online nurse practitioner application process to apply for additional specialties.

Name Change Information

All licensees/applicants wishing to change their name with the Board must submit their request using the Nursing Name Change Form. Follow the instructions on the form when the required information is submitted.

Pursuant to 18 VAC 90-19-50 (B) a copy of one of the following documents must accompany a name change request:
 • Marriage Certificate
 • Certificate of Naturalization
 • Court Order

Out-of-State Practitioner Reporting Form

Virginia Code § 54.1-2408.4, enacted by Chapter 464 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly, permits health care practitioners licensed, certified, or registered in another state or the District of Columbia to temporarily practice in the Commonwealth for 90 days provided certain provisions are met. These individuals may only practice temporarily for 90 days after receiving an offer of employment or contract for services from: (1) a hospital licensed by the Virginia Department of Health, (2) a nursing home, (3) a dialysis facility, (4) the Virginia Department of Health, or (5) a local health department.

Eligible employers and contract service recipients must fill out this form and submit it to the Board before the practitioner begins temporarily practicing in Virginia.

1.A nurse who wishes to practice in another state: (select all that apply)a.must retake the NCLEX-RN for that state.b.should determine whether the state is a compact state.c.may obtain licensure by endorsement.d.must revoke licensure in the current state because nurses cannot be licensed in more than one state concurrently.ANS:B, CIf the state is a member of a compact state, that state has established an agreement with other states under which nurses arepermitted to practice within the state without additional licensure. Licensure by endorsement refers to the original programwhereby nurses who are licensed in one state seek licensure in another state without repeat examination.

2.Which statements concerning licensure as a registered nurse are correct? (select all that apply)

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3.A group of graduates were just notified that they had successfully passed the licensure examination. During the orientationprocess at the hospital, one asks, “I am looking at my license, but I don’t really know the duties performed by the board ofnursing.” The staff development nurse explains that the board of nursing: (select all that apply)

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