Registered Nurse / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board official source

Colorado Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the Colorado data shows for Registered Nurses

Colorado sets the entry bar for registered nurses at 2,851 training hours and a passing score on NCLEX-RN. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Colorado's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Upfront cost is $43, with renewal running $43 on a 2-year cycle. Expect roughly 3 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Colorado, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

For registered nurses, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
38/100
Registered Nurse · Colorado

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,851 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$224
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$78/yr
$156 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,851 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$224
Renewal Fee
$156
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
3 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in Colorado? ▼
Colorado's requirements cover 2851 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-RN exam, and an initial fee of $224. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Colorado? ▼
To become a licensed registered nurse in Colorado, you must meet the state's requirements including 2851 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Colorado licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Colorado from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for registered nurses: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Colorado licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Colorado require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the registered nurse licensing process in Colorado. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Colorado? ▼
Licensed registered nurses in Colorado must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $156.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Colorado? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Colorado is $43. The renewal fee is $43 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 3 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Colorado? ▼
In Colorado, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 3 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in Colorado, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Colorado's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Colorado's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Colorado overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Colorado licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.