Find Your Nursing Licensure Guide

Kentucky, KY

eNLC: Yes

Walk-Through: No

Temp License: Yes

Nursys: Yes

BON website

P: (502) 429-3332

Endorsement Application: $165.00

Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam: $9.00

Temporary Permit: No extra charge

Permanent License

Approximately 14 business days upon receipt of all required materials

‍Temporary License

‍Approximately 14 business days upon receipt of all required materials

Renewal cadence: Every year between September 15 – October 31. If you do not renew your license during the annual renewal period, your license will lapse. If you wish to practice in Kentucky, you will be required to apply for reinstatement.
Renewal fee: $65
Required contact hours: 14
If you received your license on or after 5/1, you will not have to renew your license until the following year’s renewal cycle.
You must earn 3 hours of Kentucky Board of Nursing approved domestic violence continuing education within 3 years of the date you are issued a Kentucky Nursing License.
You must earn 1.5 hours of Kentucky Board of Nursing-approved Pediatric Abuse Head Trauma continuing education within 3 years of the date you are issued your Kentucky nursing license.

If you respond “yes” to the disciplinary or conviction questions it can take up to 3 months to process your application.
Click on Application Status to access the link to the exam after you apply with Kentucky Board of Nursing
Application is best viewed using Internet Explorer or Firefox
Your application is valid for 12 months. If incomplete after 12 months have passed, your application will be discarded and you must reapply and repay the application fee.
You are encouraged to complete the online application. You may use a paper application, but there is a $40 fee to process the paper application.

Permanent License

Submit an application online and pay the fee
Provide a background check with fingerprints via IdentoGo.
An official transcript with the degree and graduation date posted may be required if you graduated from certain states. View the complete list here.
Request verification of licensure via Nursys from your original state of licensure. If this state does not participate in Nursys, you will need to contact that state’s BON and request verification be sent to the Kentucky BON via the Verification of Licensure Form.
Complete the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam with a score of 80% or higher.
If you have not worked 500 hours in the past 5 years (not required for new graduates) will need to submit 120 hours of continuing education within 1 year of the application date.
Report any criminal convictions and provide any supporting documents (if applicable).

Temporary permits are valid for 6 months.
Once all items have been received by the BON except verification of licensure, you may be issued a provisional license.
A temporary permit will not be issued to nurses who completed a program of nursing in and were originally licensed in CA until the transcript is received.