Registered Nurse / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the New Jersey data shows for Registered Nurses

New Jersey sets the entry bar for registered nurses at 2,649 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 New Jersey's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Upfront cost is $200, with renewal running $120 on a 2-year cycle. Expect roughly 6 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, registered nurses should know: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
41/100
Registered Nurse · New Jersey

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
2,649 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$189
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$66/yr
$131 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 New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,649 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$189
Renewal Fee
$131
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
6 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 New Jersey licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey's requirements cover 2649 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-RN exam, and an initial fee of $189. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in New Jersey? ▼
Certification as a registered nurse in New Jersey means clearing the state's checklist: 2649 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The New Jersey licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to New Jersey 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 New Jersey. Verify the specifics with the New Jersey licensing board.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the registered nurse licensing process in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $131 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in New Jersey? ▼
The initial licensing fee in New Jersey is $200. The renewal fee is $120 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 6 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in New Jersey? ▼
In New Jersey, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 6 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 New Jersey, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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