Pennsylvania Nurse Licensing Guide

Permanent License

1. Submit an application online in the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) portal and pay the fee. Follow the steps in the online application checklist to view a complete list of application requirements. The process is the same for RNs and LPNs. 
2. Provide a background check (criminal history record check, or CHRC) from every state in which you have lived, worked, or completed professional training/studies for the past 10 years. You can find more information on the application checklist, and. 

• Reports must be dated within 90 days of the date the application is submitted. 
• For applicants living, working, or completing training/studies in Pennsylvania, your CHRC request will be automatically submitted to the Pennsylvania State Police upon submission of this application. The fee will be included at checkout.
• For individuals living, working, or completing training/studies outside of Pennsylvania during the past 10 years, in lieu of obtaining individual state background checks, you may also elect to provide both a state CHRC from the state in which you currently reside, AND your FBI Identity History Summary Check, available here.

3. Request verification of licensure via Nursys from your original state of licensure. If this state does not participate in Nursys, you will need to contact that state's BON and request verification be sent to the Pennsylvania BON.
4. Request for the nursing school that qualified you for the original RN license to send an official transcript directly to the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing on your behalf. 

•  If your RN education was not conducted in English, you are required to pass a Board-approved English Language Proficiency Examination.
• If you were educated outside the United States,  you will need to provide a Foreign Credentials Evaluation.

5. Nurses are mandatory reporters in the state of Pennsylvania. You must complete 3 hours of training approved by the Department of Human Services (DHS) on the topic of child abuse recognition and reporting. After you have completed the required course, the approved provider will electronically submit documentation to the BON. 
6. Provide documentation if you answered “yes” to any of the legal background questions.
7. Provide proof of English proficiency if you graduated from a nursing program that was not conducted in English.

Temporary License

1. If you hold an active license in the U.S., U.S. Territory, or Canada, you may apply for a temporary license. 
2. A temporary license can be verified through the online PALS portal system.  
3. The temporary license will expire one year from the date of issue or if the permanent PA license is issued. 
4. Applicants previously issued a temporary license in one licensure classification (RN, PN) are not eligible for a second temporary license in the same classification.
5.  A temporary license may be extended for up to 1 year under certain circumstances by submitting the application found here.

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