The Pennsylvania LPN License Application is the official paperwork that lets you become a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Commonwealth, and every applicant files it through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) under the watch of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The form covers four pathways: licensure by examination for Pennsylvania graduates, licensure by examination for out-of-state or foreign graduates, licensure by endorsement for nurses already licensed elsewhere, and the temporary practice permit that lets you work while your full license is processed under 63 P.S. §§ 651–667.8 and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 21, Subchapter B.
The Board issues roughly 4,000 new LPN licenses each year and rejects or delays close to 1 in 5 applications because of fingerprint mismatches, transcript timing, or “Yes” answers on the criminal-history page that lack the required explanation, according to the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. This guide walks you through every box, dropdown, and upload so your file lands in the “Ready for Review” queue the first time.
- 📝 How to choose the right application type in PALS and avoid the wrong pathway
- 🪪 Which IDs, transcripts, and clearances to gather before you log in
- 🔍 Line-by-line answers for every screen, with sample entries from real filers
- 💳 Current fees, processing times, and what to keep as proof of filing
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that trigger a deficiency letter and how to dodge them
What the Pennsylvania LPN License Application Is and Who Must File It
The Pennsylvania LPN License Application is the legal request that asks the State Board of Nursing to grant you a Practical Nurse license under the Practical Nurse Law. The Board reviews your education, your character, and your testing eligibility, then either issues your license number, issues a temporary permit, or sends a deficiency notice listing what is missing. The form lives entirely inside the PALS portal, and paper applications are no longer accepted for new LPN files as of the 2023 PALS migration.
You must file this application if you fall into any of four buckets. First, you graduated from a Pennsylvania-approved PN program and want to take the NCLEX-PN. Second, you graduated from a PN program in another state or country and want to take the NCLEX-PN through Pennsylvania. Third, you already hold an active LPN license in another U.S. state and want to practice in Pennsylvania by endorsement. Fourth, you want a temporary practice permit while your full license is pending, which the Board issues under 49 Pa. Code § 21.7.
Filing the wrong pathway is the most expensive mistake at this stage. A PA graduate who picks the “out-of-state” pathway pays a higher review fee and waits an extra 30 to 60 days while staff manually rebuild the file. An endorsement filer who accidentally chooses “by examination” forces the Board to refund and reopen the case, which restarts the clock. Read each pathway label twice before you click Apply.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open a folder on your desktop and gather every item below before you begin the PALS application. The portal times out after 20 minutes of inactivity, and a missing document is the single biggest reason filers abandon the screen and start over.
- Government-issued photo ID matching the name on your transcript, because the Board cross-checks identity against the document you upload to the Identity Verification screen.
- Social Security number, required by Act 6 of 1995 for child-support compliance; without it the system will not let you submit.
- Official transcript showing the PN program completion date, sent directly from the school registrar to the Board through PALS upload or sealed mail.
- NCLEX-PN registration confirmation from Pearson VUE, which costs $200 and must be open before the Board can post your eligibility.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check through the PA State Police Epatch system for in-state filers, or an FBI Identity History Summary for out-of-state and foreign filers.
- Verification of Licensure from every other state where you hold or have held a nursing license, ordered through Nursys.com for Nursys-participating states.
- CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report if your PN education was completed outside the United States, ordered from CGFNS International.
- Act 31 mandated reporter training certificate completed through a DHS-approved provider, required as a condition of issuance under 23 Pa. C.S. § 6383.
- Proof of continued competency (for endorsement only): 30 hours of continuing education in the last two years or evidence of active practice, under 49 Pa. Code § 21.134.
- Court documents for any “Yes” answer on the criminal or disciplinary screens, including charging documents, plea sheets, sentencing orders, and proof of compliance.
If any item is missing when you submit, the Board issues a deficiency letter that pauses your review until you upload the cure. Each deficiency cycle adds roughly 14 days to processing.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The application lives only inside the Pennsylvania Licensing System, the unified portal the Department of State launched in 2020 to replace paper filings for all 29 licensing boards. Click Register on the PALS homepage if you are a first-time user, then choose Individual and I do not have a license or registration to create your account. PALS issues a User ID that becomes your permanent login for renewals, address changes, and disciplinary correspondence.
After you log in, click the Apply for New License tile, then Nursing, then Practical Nurse. The system asks you to select one of four pathways before any fields appear. PA graduates pick Practical Nurse — by Examination (Graduate of a PA-Approved Program). Out-of-state graduates pick by Examination (Out-of-State Program). Foreign graduates pick by Examination (Foreign Program). Already-licensed nurses pick by Endorsement. Each pathway pulls a different field set, so the choice cannot be edited later without staff reversal.
The current revision of the application screens carries the PALS Build 2026.1 stamp visible in the page footer. If your screens look materially different, clear your browser cache and log back in. The Board does not accept screenshots, PDFs, or printed copies as substitutes for the live PALS submission. The only exception is the paper supplemental forms the Board still uses for court order attachments, name change documentation, and ADA testing accommodations.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Pennsylvania LPN License Application Line by Line
The application splits into nine screens. Each screen has a Save and Continue button at the bottom. Save often. The walkthrough below covers every field on every screen for the by Examination (PA Graduate) pathway, with notes where endorsement and out-of-state filers see different prompts.
Screen 1, Field 1: Legal Name (First, Middle, Last, Suffix)
This field asks for the exact legal name printed on your government ID. Type your first name in the First Name box, your middle name in full in the Middle Name box (no initials), your last name in the Last Name box, and any suffix like Jr. in the Suffix dropdown. Use proper case, not all caps, and do not include nicknames or maiden names here.
Maria Lopez enters Maria in First Name, Elena in Middle Name, Lopez in Last Name, and leaves Suffix blank.
If your transcript carries a maiden name and your ID carries a married name, enter the married name here and use the Other Names Used box on Screen 2 to disclose the maiden name. Forgetting this step is the most common mismatch error: the Board’s automated cross-check flags the transcript, the file moves to manual review, and you lose two weeks. A common misconception is that PALS will “figure out” a name change from context. It will not. The system does an exact-string match.
Screen 1, Field 2: Date of Birth
This field asks when you were born. Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. The portal rejects two-digit years and dashes.
Maria Lopez enters 03/14/2001.
If your foreign passport lists only the year of birth, the Board accepts a Board-issued affidavit assigning January 1 as the placeholder day, but you must upload the affidavit on Screen 8. The most common mistake here is transposing the month and day, which is fatal because the Board uses date of birth to match your fingerprint results from the PA State Police. A misconception is that you can “correct it later.” Once submitted, a date-of-birth change requires a notarized affidavit and a $25 amendment fee.
Screen 1, Field 3: Social Security Number
This field asks for the nine-digit SSN issued to you by the Social Security Administration. Enter it without dashes. PALS masks the digits after entry.
Maria Lopez enters 123456789.
If you do not have an SSN because you are a foreign-trained nurse without work authorization, click the I do not have an SSN checkbox and upload an IRS Form W-7 ITIN confirmation. The most common mistake is entering an ITIN where the SSN belongs, which voids the Act 6 child-support cross-check and bounces the application back. A misconception is that PALS shares your SSN publicly. It does not. The number is encrypted and visible only to Board staff.
Screen 2, Field 4: Mailing Address and Public Address
This field asks for two addresses: the Mailing Address where the Board sends paper notices, and the Public Address that appears on the Nursing license verification page. Use a street address for both unless you have a documented safety reason. Apartment numbers go in Address Line 2.
Maria Lopez enters 425 Oak Street, Apt 3B, Philadelphia, PA 19104 in both fields.
If you have a P.O. Box, you may use it for the Mailing Address only; the Public Address must be a physical location under 49 Pa. Code § 21.21. The most common mistake is leaving Public Address blank, which freezes the file at the Address Validation step. A misconception is that the Public Address must be your employer. It does not. It must simply be reachable by mail.
Screen 2, Field 5: Other Names Used
This field asks for every prior legal name you have used, including maiden names, prior married names, and any name on a transcript or licensure record. Enter one row per name and list the type from the dropdown.
Maria Lopez enters Maria Elena Garcia and selects Maiden Name.
If you have changed your name through court order, upload the order on Screen 8 under Name Change Documentation. The most common mistake is omitting a maiden name that appears on the school transcript, which triggers a deficiency letter for “transcript-name mismatch.” A misconception is that only legal name changes count. The Board wants every name that has ever appeared on a school, license, or employment record.
Screen 3, Field 6: Education — Program Name and Type
This field asks where you completed your practical nurse education. Pick your school from the dropdown of PA-approved PN programs. The dropdown auto-selects Practical Nurse Diploma once you choose a school.
Maria Lopez selects Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology — Practical Nursing Diploma.
If your school is not in the dropdown, you are on the wrong pathway and must restart as Out-of-State or Foreign graduate. The most common mistake is hand-typing a school name into the Other box when the school is in the dropdown, which removes the auto-verification link to the school registrar and adds two weeks. A misconception is that “approved” and “accredited” are the same. The Board only cares about Board approval listed in 49 Pa. Code § 21.31.
Screen 3, Field 7: Date of Graduation or Expected Graduation
This field asks for the date your school issued or will issue your diploma. Use MM/DD/YYYY format. The Board accepts an expected date if the registrar has confirmed it.
Maria Lopez enters 06/15/2026.
If you graduate before NCLEX-PN testing, the Board waits for the registrar’s confirmation. The most common mistake is entering the last day of class instead of the date the diploma is conferred; the difference can be six weeks and can push you past the 12-month NCLEX eligibility window into a retest. A misconception is that PALS will accept any date the school confirms later. It will not. A change of more than 30 days requires a registrar letter.
Screen 4, Field 8: NCLEX-PN Registration Confirmation Number
This field asks for the eight-digit confirmation number Pearson VUE emails after you pay the $200 NCLEX-PN registration fee. Type the digits without dashes or spaces.
Maria Lopez enters 80456321.
If you have not registered yet, save the application and come back. The Board cannot post NCLEX eligibility without a live Pearson VUE registration. The most common mistake is using the order receipt number instead of the registration confirmation number; they are different and the Board’s system will not match the receipt. A misconception is that you can register with Pearson VUE after the Board posts eligibility. The order is reversed. Pearson first, Board second.
Screen 5, Field 9: Criminal History Disclosures
This field asks four yes/no questions about arrests, charges, convictions, and pending cases under 63 P.S. § 663. A Yes answer to any question opens a text box and a document upload slot.
Carlos Rivera checks Yes on Question 2 (prior misdemeanor) and uploads the disposition order, plea colloquy, and proof of completed probation.
If your record was expunged or sealed, you still must answer Yes and upload the expungement order. The most common mistake is answering No on a long-ago misdemeanor that the FBI fingerprint check will surface anyway, which the Board treats as material misrepresentation under 63 P.S. § 666(a)(3). A misconception is that minor traffic offenses count. They do not, unless they involved DUI or a controlled substance.
Screen 5, Field 10: Disciplinary History Disclosures
This field asks whether any state or country has ever denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted any professional license you held. A Yes answer requires you to upload the order from the disciplining authority and a personal explanation.
Aisha Okafor checks Yes and uploads the order from the Nigerian Nursing and Midwifery Council that suspended her license for an administrative fee lapse, plus a one-page explanation.
If the discipline was lifted, upload the reinstatement order alongside the original. The most common mistake is uploading the order without an explanation; the Board’s reviewer will issue a deficiency letter asking for context. A misconception is that “non-disciplinary administrative actions” do not count. They do, including fee suspensions and CE deficiencies.
Screen 6, Field 11: Child Abuse and Mandated Reporter Training
This field asks for the certificate number from your three-hour Act 31 training, completed through a DHS-approved provider. Enter the certificate number and upload the PDF.
Maria Lopez enters PA-MR-2026-554321 and uploads the University of Pittsburgh online training certificate.
If you completed an out-of-state mandated reporter course, the Board accepts it only if the course covers Pennsylvania’s reporting duties under 23 Pa. C.S. Chapter 63. The most common mistake is uploading a CPR card instead of the Act 31 certificate; PALS labels them differently and the Board will not catch the swap until manual review. A misconception is that the certificate expires every two years. It does not, but you must complete two hours of Act 31 CE every license renewal cycle.
Screen 7, Field 12: Verification of Licensure (Endorsement Filers)
This field appears only on the endorsement pathway. It asks for the state, license number, issue date, and expiration date for every nursing license you hold or have held. The Board cross-checks each entry through Nursys.
Carlos Rivera enters Ohio, PN-456789, 08/12/2018, 08/31/2026.
If a state does not participate in Nursys, you must request paper verification from that state board and have it sent directly to the PA Board. The most common mistake is omitting an expired or lapsed license, which Nursys still surfaces; the Board treats omission as material misrepresentation. A misconception is that you only need to list active licenses. You must list every license ever held.
Screen 7, Field 13: Continued Competency (Endorsement Filers)
This field appears only on the endorsement pathway. It asks how you meet the 49 Pa. Code § 21.134 competency standard: 30 hours of CE in the last two years, OR active practice of at least 400 hours in the last two years, OR graduation from a PN program in the last two years.
Carlos Rivera selects Active Practice and enters 1,920 hours at Mount Carmel Hospital, Columbus, OH.
If you cannot meet any prong, you must complete a Board-approved refresher course before the license issues. The most common mistake is claiming CE without uploading certificates; the upload slot opens once you select CE Hours. A misconception is that the Board verifies hours through your employer. It does not. You self-attest under penalty of perjury, and the Board audits randomly.
Screen 8: Document Uploads
This screen pulls together every required attachment. The slots that appear depend on your earlier answers. Common slots include Government ID, Court Documents, Name Change Order, CGFNS CES Report, Act 31 Certificate, and Affidavit of SSN. PALS accepts PDF, JPG, and PNG files up to 10 MB each.
Aisha Okafor uploads her Nigerian passport, her CGFNS CES Professional Report, her Act 31 certificate, and her Nigerian license disposition order.
If a document is larger than 10 MB, split it into parts and label them Part 1 of 2. The most common mistake is uploading a phone-camera photo of a folded document; the OCR fails and the Board treats it as illegible. A misconception is that the Board will request missing documents by phone. It will not. Communication runs through the PALS message center only.
Screen 9: Affirmation, Signature, and Payment
This screen asks you to read four affirmations, type your full legal name as the electronic signature, check the I agree box, and pay the application fee with a credit card or e-check. The current PA LPN application fee is $95 for examination filers and $120 for endorsement filers, set under 49 Pa. Code § 21.6. A $70 temporary practice permit fee is optional.
Maria Lopez types Maria Elena Lopez, checks the affirmation box, and pays $95 by Visa.
If your card declines, PALS holds the entire application in Pending Payment status for 14 days before deleting it. The most common mistake is using a card with a billing address that does not match the Mailing Address on Screen 2, which the payment processor reads as fraud. A misconception is that you can mail a check. The Board no longer accepts paper payments for new applications.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three filers below represent the most common pathways. Each table shows what the filer enters in each major section.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, PA Graduate Applying by Examination
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Pathway Selection | Practical Nurse — by Examination (Graduate of a PA-Approved Program) |
| Legal Name | Maria Elena Lopez |
| Date of Birth | 03/14/2001 |
| SSN | 123456789 |
| Mailing Address | 425 Oak Street, Apt 3B, Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
| Education | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Practical Nursing Diploma, 06/15/2026 |
| NCLEX-PN Confirmation | 80456321 |
| Criminal/Disciplinary | No / No |
| Act 31 Certificate | PA-MR-2026-554321 |
| Fee Paid | $95 examination + $70 temp permit |
Scenario 2: Carlos Rivera, Ohio LPN Applying by Endorsement
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Pathway Selection | Practical Nurse — by Endorsement |
| Legal Name | Carlos Daniel Rivera |
| Date of Birth | 11/02/1989 |
| SSN | 987654321 |
| Mailing Address | 1810 Beech Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 |
| Verification of Licensure | Ohio, PN-456789, 08/12/2018–08/31/2026 (via Nursys) |
| Continued Competency | Active Practice, 1,920 hours at Mount Carmel Hospital |
| Criminal History | Yes — 2014 misdemeanor, disposition uploaded |
| Act 31 Certificate | PA-MR-2026-661123 |
| Fee Paid | $120 endorsement + $70 temp permit |
Scenario 3: Aisha Okafor, Foreign-Educated Nurse Applying by Examination
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Pathway Selection | Practical Nurse — by Examination (Foreign Program) |
| Legal Name | Aisha Chiamaka Okafor |
| Date of Birth | 07/22/1993 |
| SSN | I do not have an SSN (ITIN affidavit uploaded) |
| Mailing Address | 2245 Walnut Street, Apt 5, Harrisburg, PA 17103 |
| Education | School of Nursing, University of Lagos, Diploma, 12/10/2017 |
| CGFNS CES Report | Uploaded — Report ID CES-2026-339182 |
| NCLEX-PN Confirmation | 80994412 |
| Disciplinary History | Yes — Nigeria fee suspension, 2019, lifted 2020 |
| Fee Paid | $95 examination |
How to File the Completed Form
Submission happens entirely inside PALS, but two side-channels still matter. Transcripts and Verifications of Licensure can travel either electronically through PALS-linked systems or by sealed mail to State Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649. Court orders and CGFNS reports must always upload through PALS Screen 8.
The online channel is the only filing route for the application itself. The fee is $95 for examination, $120 for endorsement, and an optional $70 temporary practice permit, payable by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or e-check through the PALS payment screen. PALS issues a confirmation number and a downloadable receipt at the moment of submission. Save both as your proof of filing. Processing runs 4 to 6 weeks for clean files and 8 to 12 weeks if any deficiency is issued, per the Board’s posted timelines.
The fingerprint channel is separate. PA-resident filers schedule an appointment through PA State Police IdentoGO, pay $25.75, and choose service code 1KG6XN. Out-of-state filers order an FBI Identity History Summary Check for $18. Results post automatically to PALS within 7 days.
The NCLEX-PN channel is also separate. Register through Pearson VUE for $200, then wait for the Board to post your Authorization to Test (ATT). The ATT is valid for 90 days. Schedule your exam date inside that window or pay $200 again.
Keep four pieces of proof in a folder: the PALS confirmation email, the credit card receipt, the IdentoGO/FBI receipt, and the Pearson VUE registration email. If the Board ever loses a piece, these receipts move you to the front of the resolution queue.
What Happens After You File
After submission, your file enters the Board’s review queue in Received status. A staff reviewer opens the file in the order it was received, usually within 14 days. If everything matches, the status moves to Under Review, then to Approved to Test once the NCLEX eligibility posts to Pearson VUE. Pearson then emails your Authorization to Test within 24 hours.
If a document is missing or unclear, the status moves to Deficiency Issued and you receive a PALS message listing what to cure. You have 12 months from the deficiency date to fix the file before it expires under 49 Pa. Code § 21.8. Most cures take less than a week if you have the document on hand.
After you pass the NCLEX-PN, Pearson reports the result to the Board within 48 hours. The Board issues your LPN license number, posts it on PALS verification, and mails a wall certificate to your address on file within 10 business days. The license cycle runs through June 30 of every odd-numbered year, so a license issued in mid-2026 will renew on June 30, 2027 under 49 Pa. Code § 21.30.
If the Board denies the application, you have 30 days to request a hearing under 2 Pa. C.S. § 504. Denials are rare for clean files but common where criminal disclosures are incomplete.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Picking the wrong pathway at Screen 1. The Board cannot edit pathway after submission, and you lose the fee and the wait time.
- Typing your school name into the Other box when it is in the dropdown. This breaks the registrar verification link and adds two weeks.
- Entering the last day of class as the graduation date. The Board uses the diploma-conferred date; a mismatch triggers a deficiency.
- Answering No on criminal history when an old misdemeanor exists. The fingerprint check surfaces it and the Board treats it as misrepresentation under 63 P.S. § 666.
- Omitting a maiden name in Other Names Used. The transcript-name mismatch sends the file to manual review.
- Uploading a phone photo of a folded document. OCR fails and the Board issues an “illegible” deficiency.
- Confusing the Pearson VUE order receipt with the registration confirmation. They are different numbers and the system rejects the receipt.
- Skipping Act 31 mandated reporter training. The Board cannot issue any license, even after NCLEX pass, without the certificate on file.
- Using a credit card whose billing address differs from the Mailing Address. The payment processor flags it and PALS holds the file in Pending Payment.
- Letting the application sit past 12 months from your NCLEX eligibility. Pearson cancels the registration and you pay the $200 fee again.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do complete Pearson VUE registration before you log into PALS, because the Board cannot post eligibility without it.
- Do schedule fingerprints the same week you submit, because results take up to 7 days and they are required before issuance.
- Do upload court documents for every “Yes” answer, because reviewers cannot move forward without the underlying order.
- Do save every PALS confirmation email in a dedicated folder, because they are your only proof if a document is lost.
- Do check the PALS message center weekly, because deficiency letters do not arrive by U.S. mail.
- Do confirm your Act 31 provider is on the DHS-approved list, because non-approved certificates do not count.
- Don’t answer “No” to any criminal question without checking your record through PA State Police, because omissions are treated as misrepresentation.
- Don’t send paper copies of the application, because the Board no longer accepts paper for new LPN files.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box as your Public Address, because 49 Pa. Code § 21.21 requires a physical location.
- Don’t wait for the wall certificate to start working, because the PALS license number is the official proof of licensure the day it is issued.
- Don’t assume Nursys covers every state, because non-Nursys states require paper verification mailed directly.
- Don’t edit the file after the Board moves it to Approved to Test, because edits reopen the review and delay your ATT.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With a Nurse Attorney or Service |
|---|---|
| Pro: Saves $300–$1,500 in service fees, because PALS is designed for self-service. | Pro: A nurse attorney drafts the criminal-history explanation, which is the highest-risk field. |
| Pro: You see every status update in real time, because the PALS account is yours. | Pro: A service tracks deficiencies for you, so you do not need to check the message center daily. |
| Pro: You learn the system, which helps with biennial renewals. | Pro: Foreign-educated filers benefit from CGFNS document help. |
| Pro: Direct upload control, no chain-of-custody risk on your court documents. | Pro: Endorsement filers with prior discipline get strategic advice on Continued Competency framing. |
| Pro: Faster start, because you can begin the same hour you create a PALS account. | Pro: Some services advance fingerprint and CGFNS fees if cash is tight. |
| Con: A “Yes” answer with a bad explanation can sink the file. | Con: Cost of $300–$1,500 on top of Board and Pearson fees. |
| Con: Foreign-educated filers face CGFNS rules that are easy to misread. | Con: Some services delay submission until they receive their full fee. |
| Con: Endorsement filers with lapses must self-frame the competency claim. | Con: Communication still runs through PALS, so you remain responsible for messages. |
| Con: Mistakes on Screen 1 pathway selection cannot be reversed without staff help. | Con: A service cannot speed Board review, only your inputs. |
| Con: No advance review of court documents before they hit the reviewer. | Con: You still must complete Act 31 training and fingerprints yourself. |
Pennsylvania LPN License: Application Pathway Comparison
| Pathway | Who Files It |
|---|---|
| By Examination (PA Graduate) | New PN program graduates from PA-approved schools |
| By Examination (Out-of-State Graduate) | New graduates from non-PA U.S. PN programs |
| By Examination (Foreign Graduate) | Internationally educated nurses with CGFNS CES report |
| By Endorsement | Already-licensed LPNs from another U.S. state seeking PA licensure |
FAQs
Do I need to take the NCLEX-PN if I already passed it in another state?
No. The Board accepts your prior NCLEX-PN result through Nursys for endorsement filers under 49 Pa. Code § 21.156. You do not retest.
Can I work as an LPN in Pennsylvania while my application is pending?
Yes. Pay the $70 temporary practice permit fee on Screen 9, and the Board issues a permit once basic eligibility posts, valid up to one year.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the Legal Name boxes?
No to maiden name in the Legal Name boxes. Use the name on your government ID; list the maiden name in the Other Names Used field on Screen 2.
Should I answer “Yes” on the criminal history page if my record was expunged?
Yes. The Board still requires disclosure of expunged matters, with the expungement order uploaded as documentation under 63 P.S. § 663.
Do I need a Pennsylvania address to apply?
No. You may apply from any U.S. address; the Board mails the wall certificate wherever you list as Mailing Address.
Can I edit the pathway choice on Screen 1 after I save?
No. Once you save Screen 1, the pathway locks. Contact the Board in PALS to request a staff-assisted reversal.
Is the Act 31 mandated reporter training required before I apply?
Yes. The certificate must upload on Screen 6. Without it, the Board cannot issue the license even after NCLEX-PN pass.
Do I list a license that expired ten years ago in another state?
Yes. Every license ever held must appear on Screen 7 for endorsement filers. Nursys will surface it anyway.
Can I pay the $95 fee by check or money order?
No. The Board accepts only credit cards and e-checks for new LPN applications through PALS.
Do I need fingerprints if my FBI background check is two years old?
No if it is less than 12 months old; yes if older. The Board requires a fingerprint check completed within the last year.
Will the Board call me if a document is missing?
No. All deficiency communication runs through the PALS secure message center. Check it weekly during review.
Can I use the same Pearson VUE registration if I move from another state’s exam queue?
Yes, but only if you formally transfer the registration to Pennsylvania through Pearson VUE customer service before the Board posts eligibility.
Do I need to upload my high school diploma?
No. The Board verifies prerequisite education through your PN program transcript, not directly with the high school.
How long does the Board keep my application if I do not pay the fee?
No longer than 14 days. PALS deletes unpaid applications after 14 days, and you must restart from Screen 1.
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