Registered Nurse / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia 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 Virginia data shows for Registered Nurses

To practice as a registered nurse in Virginia, the state licensing board requires 2,405 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Virginia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Budget $190 to get started, plus $75 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle; processing typically runs about 4 weeks once your application is complete. Maintaining the license requires 30 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

D
Licensing Ease Score
45/100
Registered Nurse · Virginia

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
2,405 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$146
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$51/yr
$101 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 Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,405 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$146
Renewal Fee
$101
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
4 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 Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in Virginia? ▼
Virginia requires 2405 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-RN), and an initial fee of $146. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Virginia? ▼
To become a licensed registered nurse in Virginia, you must meet the state's requirements including 2405 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Virginia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Registered Nurse licenses generally reciprocate as follows: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Virginia require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Virginia does require a background check before issuing a registered nurse license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Virginia? ▼
Licensed registered nurses in Virginia must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $101.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Virginia? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Virginia is $190. The renewal fee is $75 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 4 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Virginia? ▼
In Virginia, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 4 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 Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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