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

New York Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the New York data shows for Registered Nurses

New York's path to registered nurse licensure runs through 2,589 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NCLEX-RN, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. New York folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Upfront cost is $143, with renewal running $58 on a 3-year cycle. Expect roughly 5 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. The license also carries an ongoing 3-hour continuing-education requirement per 3-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
42/100
Registered Nurse · New York

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
2,589 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$178
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$62/yr
$124 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 York

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,589 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$178
Renewal Fee
$124
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
5 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 York licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in New York? ▼
New York's requirements cover 2589 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-RN exam, and an initial fee of $178. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in New York? ▼
New York licenses registered nurses who complete its requirements (2589 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the New York licensing board.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to New York 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 York. Verify the specifics with the New York licensing board.
Does New York require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the registered nurse licensing process in New York. 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 York? ▼
New York ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $124 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in New York? ▼
The initial licensing fee in New York is $143. The renewal fee is $58 every 3 years. Processing typically takes 5 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in New York? ▼
In New York, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 5 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 York, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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