Registered Nurse / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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

What the North Dakota data shows for Registered Nurses

North Dakota sets the entry bar for registered nurses at 2,108 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 North Dakota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

The initial price tag is $100, and renewal costs $75 every 2 years. Applications usually take around 3 weeks to process once complete. Maintaining the license requires 12 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
54/100
Registered Nurse · North Dakota

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
2,108 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C
$94
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$32/yr
$64 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 North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,108 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$94
Renewal Fee
$64
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 North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in North Dakota? ▼
In North Dakota, the license path calls for 2108 education/training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN, and a $94 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota licenses registered nurses who complete its requirements (2108 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the North Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to North Dakota from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for registered nurses nationally works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into North Dakota. Verify the specifics with the North Dakota licensing board.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for registered nurse licensing in North Dakota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $64 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in North Dakota? ▼
The initial licensing fee in North Dakota is $100. The renewal fee is $75 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 3 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in North Dakota? ▼
In North Dakota, 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 North Dakota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how North Dakota'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 North Dakota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. North Dakota overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Dakota 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.