The Texas RN license application is the official request you submit to the Texas Board of Nursing to be authorized to practice as a Registered Nurse in Texas, filed online through the Texas Nurse Portal under the Nursing Practice Act, Texas Occupations Code Chapter 301. Every applicant — whether a new graduate sitting for the NCLEX-RN, an out-of-state RN endorsing in, or an internationally educated nurse — files through the same portal but follows a slightly different document path.
Texas issues more RN licenses than any state except California, and the Board processes well over 30,000 RN applications a year through the Nurse Portal. Filing the wrong pathway, missing a fingerprint window, or answering an eligibility question incorrectly can delay your Authorization to Test (ATT) by 60 days or more, and a mismatched name between your application and your IdentoGO fingerprint record is the single most common rejection trigger.
- 📝 How to file the correct RN application — Examination, Endorsement, or International — through the Nurse Portal.
- 🔍 How to answer every field on the application line by line, including the eligibility and Declaratory Order questions under 22 TAC §213.
- 💵 Current 2026 fees, NCLEX registration costs through Pearson VUE, and IdentoGO fingerprinting charges.
- 👥 Three full filer walkthroughs — a new BSN graduate, a California endorser, and an internationally educated nurse using CGFNS.
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that delay RN licensure and how to avoid each one.
What the Texas RN License Application Is and Who Must File It
The Texas RN license application is the legal mechanism the Texas Board of Nursing uses to verify your education, your character and fitness, and your identity before granting permission to practice professional nursing in Texas. It is required by Texas Occupations Code §301.252, which makes it unlawful to practice or hold yourself out as a Registered Nurse in Texas without a valid license issued by the Board. The application is filed electronically and is the same gateway used for first-time NCLEX takers, RNs moving from another U.S. state, and nurses educated in another country.
Three groups of filers use this application. New graduates of a Texas or out-of-state nursing program file the Application for Licensure by Examination to receive an Authorization to Test for the NCLEX-RN. RNs already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction file the Application for Licensure by Endorsement, which the Board reviews under the rules in 22 TAC §217.5. Internationally educated nurses file the Application for Licensure by Examination — International and must add a CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service Professional Report.
The form is governed by the Nursing Practice Act and Board rules in 22 TAC Chapters 213, 215, and 217. Failing to file before practicing is a Class A misdemeanor under §301.451 and can also block future applications. Filing the wrong pathway — for example, an endorser filing the examination form — forces a full restart and a new fee.
The current Nurse Portal application carries an internal revision tracker, and applicants should confirm they are inside the version dated 2025–2026 before entering data. Texas does not accept paper RN applications except in narrow Board-approved hardship cases, so almost every filer files online. The Board cross-references your entries against the Nursys national licensure database, the FBI Rap Sheet, and Texas DPS records.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Before opening the Nurse Portal, gather every document below. Missing items do not just slow you down — they can cause the Board to mark your file incomplete and stop the clock entirely until you respond. Texas reviews files in the order they become complete, not in the order they are opened.
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport). The name on this ID must match your application name exactly, or your fingerprint results will not match and your file will pause.
- Social Security Number or ITIN. Required by Texas Family Code §231.302 for child-support enforcement cross-checks. Missing SSN means automatic rejection.
- Official nursing program transcript with degree conferred. Sent directly from the school to the Board through eTranscript Texas or postal mail. Hand-carried transcripts are not accepted.
- Affidavit of Graduation signed by your nursing program director if your transcript does not yet show the conferred degree date.
- NCLEX-RN registration confirmation from Pearson VUE — for examination filers only.
- Fingerprint receipt from IdentoGO using the Texas BON Service Code. Walk-in prints without the code do not transmit to the Board.
- Verification of every prior nursing license through Nursys.com for endorsement and re-entry filers.
- CGFNS CES Professional Report for internationally educated nurses, plus a passport and visa documents.
- Court records (judgment, sentence, dismissal, expunction order) for every Yes answer to the eligibility questions.
- Name-change documents — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — if your legal name differs from your school records.
Each missing item has a direct consequence. A missing transcript stalls the file at pending education verification. A missing fingerprint blocks the criminal background review. A missing court record on a Yes eligibility answer triggers a referral to the Office of Enforcement and a wait of 90 to 180 days. Build a single folder, label every file with your full legal name, and save scanned copies before uploading.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The Texas RN license application is not a downloadable PDF. It lives inside the Texas Nurse Portal, a secure online system maintained by the Board. To access it, create a Nurse Portal account using a personal email address that you will keep for at least two years — the Board uses this email for every status notice, and a stale email is the second-most-common reason applicants miss deadlines.
Once your Nurse Portal account is active, you will see a menu titled Apply for Licensure. New graduates select Examination, out-of-state RNs select Endorsement, and foreign-educated nurses select Examination — Internationally Educated. Selecting the wrong path locks the application, and you will need to email Customer Service to reset it.
Applicants who cannot use the online portal due to a documented disability may request a paper application by contacting the Board under the ADA accommodation policy. The paper version is functionally identical to the online form but adds 30 to 45 days to processing. Spanish-language assistance is available by phone, but the application itself is in English and must be completed in English.
The portal session times out after 20 minutes of inactivity. Save progress often. The Board does not accept screenshots of completed sections as proof of filing — only the system-generated confirmation number that appears after payment counts as a filed application.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Texas RN License Application Line by Line
The application is divided into seven major sections inside the Nurse Portal. Each section below is one H3 walkthrough, and each one follows the same six-element pattern: what the field asks, how to answer, an example entry, a nuance, a mistake and consequence, and a misconception.
Section 1, Box 1 — Legal Name
What the field asks in plain English. The Board wants your full legal name as it appears on your government-issued photo ID and Social Security record.
How to answer it. Type your last name, first name, and middle name in the order requested. Use mixed case, no nicknames, no initials unless your legal name is an initial. Hyphens and apostrophes are allowed; periods are not.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez, a new BSN graduate from UT Arlington, types Lopez, Maria Elena. Her driver’s license shows the same spelling.
A nuance or edge case. If you go by a middle name socially but your legal first name is different, use the legal first name. Add the social name in the Other Names Used field later.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers often enter their married name when their nursing school records still show their maiden name. The Board cannot match the transcript to the application, and the file pauses until a marriage certificate is uploaded.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many applicants believe the Board will accept the name on their NCLEX registration as authoritative. It is not — the Texas BON name must match your photo ID and your fingerprint record, even if Pearson VUE has a different spelling.
Section 1, Box 2 — Other Names Used
What the field asks in plain English. Every prior name you have ever used legally — maiden, former married, adopted, court-changed.
How to answer it. List each prior name on its own line with the date range you used it. Include misspellings the Board may encounter on transcripts.
A specific example answer. James Carter, an endorser from California, lists Carter-Smith, James Allen (2010–2018) because he used a hyphenated married name during his first marriage and his California license still shows it.
A nuance or edge case. Religious-order names, stage names, and names used only in another country must also appear here.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers leave this blank because they think only current names count. The Board’s Nursys check pulls every prior name, and a name missing here looks like concealment, which triggers a fitness review.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think entering an old name will reopen old records. It does not — it only helps the Board match transcripts and licensure records faster.
Section 1, Box 3 — Date of Birth
What the field asks in plain English. Your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format.
How to answer it. Use four-digit year, no dashes, no spelled-out months. The portal will reject any other format.
A specific example answer. Priya Nair, an internationally educated RN from Kerala, enters 03/14/1992.
A nuance or edge case. Foreign-educated applicants whose passports show DD/MM/YYYY must convert to U.S. format. A passport date of 14/03/1992 becomes 03/14/1992.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers transpose day and month. The fingerprint record will not match the BON record, and IdentoGO will not retransmit without a new appointment and new fee.
A misconception people hold about this field. Some applicants think the Board uses age as a screening tool. Texas has no minimum or maximum age for RN licensure under §301.252 — the date of birth is purely an identifier.
Section 1, Box 4 — Social Security Number or ITIN
What the field asks in plain English. Your nine-digit SSN, or your IRS-issued ITIN if you do not have an SSN.
How to answer it. Enter nine digits, no dashes. The portal masks the entry as you type. Confirm it matches your Social Security card character for character.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez enters 123456789 exactly as printed on her SSA card.
A nuance or edge case. Applicants on a work visa without an SSN enter their ITIN and upload a copy of the IRS CP565 notice.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Entering an SSN that does not match Social Security records under Texas Family Code §231.302 blocks issuance entirely until corrected.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe leaving the SSN blank protects their privacy. It does not — it stops the application cold.
Section 1, Box 5 — Mailing Address and Contact Information
What the field asks in plain English. A current street or P.O. Box address, phone number, and email.
How to answer it. Use a U.S. address whenever possible. Use the same email you registered the Nurse Portal with. Phone format is XXX-XXX-XXXX.
A specific example answer. James Carter enters 4501 Memorial Dr, Apt 12B, Houston, TX 77007.
A nuance or edge case. Filers who are still relocating may use a parent’s or attorney’s address temporarily but must update through the Nurse Portal within 10 days under 22 TAC §217.7.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers use a school email that expires after graduation. Board notices bounce, and the applicant misses the request-for-information window.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many applicants think the address must be in Texas. It does not — Texas issues licenses to applicants nationwide; only the practice itself must occur where licensure permits.
Section 2 — Nursing Education
What the field asks in plain English. Every nursing program you have attended, completed or not, with dates and degree.
How to answer it. Select your school from the drop-down. If your school is not listed, choose Other and type the full legal name of the institution. Enter the start date, end date, and degree (ADN, BSN, MSN, Diploma).
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez selects University of Texas at Arlington — College of Nursing and enters Start: 08/2022, End: 05/2026, Degree: BSN.
A nuance or edge case. Internationally educated nurses enter the foreign school name in English and attach the CGFNS CES Professional Report that confirms equivalence to a U.S. RN program.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Listing only the school where you earned your degree and omitting prior programs you withdrew from. The transcript request will reveal the gap, and the Board will treat the omission as a misrepresentation under 22 TAC §213.27.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think only the graduating school matters. The Board reviews your entire nursing education history to detect academic dismissals.
Section 3 — Prior Licensure and Nursys Verification
What the field asks in plain English. Every nursing license — RN, LVN/LPN, or APRN — you have ever held in any U.S. state, territory, or foreign country.
How to answer it. List each license number, issuing state, issue date, and expiration. Then go to Nursys.com and request a license verification sent to Texas. The fee is around $30 per state.
A specific example answer. James Carter lists RN 95234123, California, Issued 06/2014, Active. He pays $30 on Nursys to send the verification to the Texas BON.
A nuance or edge case. Lapsed or surrendered licenses must still be reported. So must licenses in territories like Guam or Puerto Rico.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Endorsers forget to actually order the Nursys verification. The Board cannot proceed under 22 TAC §217.5, and the file sits at pending verification.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe a Nurse Licensure Compact multistate license covers Texas without an endorsement. It does for practice, but a full Texas-issued license still requires this application if Texas becomes your primary state of residence.
Section 4 — Eligibility Questions (Character and Fitness)
What the field asks in plain English. A series of yes/no questions about criminal history, prior discipline, military discharge, mental-health hospitalizations, and substance use, governed by 22 TAC §213.27–§213.30.
How to answer it. Answer every question truthfully. For every Yes, upload a written explanation, certified court records, and any rehabilitation evidence.
A specific example answer. Priya Nair answers No to all eligibility questions. James Carter answers Yes to a 2017 DWI in California and uploads the judgment, the completion of probation order, and a personal statement.
A nuance or edge case. Sealed and expunged records still must be reported to the Board even though they are removed from public view, per 22 TAC §213.28.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers answer No to a deferred adjudication believing it is not a conviction. The Board treats deferred adjudication as a reportable event, and the discrepancy is grounds for denial under §301.452.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe a Yes answer is automatic denial. It is not — Texas allows applicants with eligibility issues to file a Petition for Declaratory Order of Eligibility before applying, and many petitioners are approved.
Section 5 — Fingerprinting and Background Check
What the field asks in plain English. Confirmation that you have scheduled or completed your fingerprints with IdentoGO using the Texas BON Service Code.
How to answer it. After you submit the application, the portal generates a Fingerprint Service Code letter. Bring that letter and a government photo ID to an IdentoGO location. Keep the receipt.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez prints her Service Code letter, schedules an IdentoGO appointment in Arlington, pays the $39.95 fee, and uploads her receipt to the portal.
A nuance or edge case. Out-of-state applicants who cannot travel to Texas may use the FD-258 fingerprint card processed by IdentoGO by mail. The mail process adds 4 to 6 weeks.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Walking into IdentoGO without the Service Code. Those prints go nowhere, and the applicant pays again to redo them.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe prior fingerprints from another agency satisfy the requirement. Under §301.2511 the Texas BON requires its own FBI/DPS fingerprint-based check.
Section 6 — Affidavit, Signature, and Oath
What the field asks in plain English. An electronic signature attesting that everything in the application is true and that you understand the Nursing Practice Act.
How to answer it. Type your full legal name in the signature box, click the attestation box, and enter the date.
A specific example answer. Priya Nair types Priya Nair, checks the box, and dates the signature 05/22/2026.
A nuance or edge case. A typed signature using a nickname or initials is treated as unsigned. The portal will accept it but Board staff will return the file.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers sign before answering eligibility questions correctly, then realize a Yes should have been a different answer. Amending after signature requires a written sworn correction.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think the affidavit is a formality. It is sworn under penalty of perjury under Texas Penal Code §37.02, and false statements are independently prosecutable.
Section 7 — Fees and Payment
What the field asks in plain English. Payment of the application fee and any add-on fees.
How to answer it. Pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or ACH inside the Nurse Portal. The portal generates a confirmation number — save it.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez pays the $100 examination application fee, the $3.50 portal convenience fee, and separately registers for the NCLEX-RN at Pearson VUE for $200.
A nuance or edge case. Endorsement applicants pay a $186 endorsement fee instead of $100. International applicants pay the examination fee plus a $135 CGFNS evaluation sent separately to CGFNS.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Paying only the BON fee and assuming NCLEX is included. NCLEX registration with Pearson VUE is separate, and without it your ATT will never issue.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe the fee is refundable if they change their mind. It is not — the Board’s fees are non-refundable under 22 TAC §223.1.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario follows one applicant from start to finish. Real-world numbers and dates are used so you can compare your situation directly. Sample entries are italicized.
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, New BSN Graduate (Examination Pathway)
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Pathway selected | Application for Licensure by Examination |
| Legal name | Lopez, Maria Elena |
| Other names used | None |
| Date of birth / SSN | 04/22/2003 / 123-45-6789 |
| Mailing address | 2210 Cooper St, Apt 4, Arlington, TX 76013 |
| Nursing education | UT Arlington College of Nursing, BSN, 08/2022–05/2026 |
| Prior licensure | None |
| Eligibility questions | All No |
| Fingerprints | IdentoGO, Arlington TX, 05/15/2026, paid $39.95 |
| NCLEX registration | Pearson VUE, paid $200, ATT pending |
| Total fees paid | $100 BON + $200 Pearson VUE + $39.95 IdentoGO |
Scenario 2 — James Carter, California RN Endorsing into Texas
| Form Section | What James Enters |
|---|---|
| Pathway selected | Application for Licensure by Endorsement |
| Legal name | Carter, James Allen |
| Other names used | Carter-Smith, James Allen (2010–2018) |
| Date of birth / SSN | 09/03/1985 / 987-65-4321 |
| Mailing address | 4501 Memorial Dr, Apt 12B, Houston, TX 77007 |
| Nursing education | CSU Long Beach, BSN, 08/2010–05/2014 |
| Prior licensure | RN 95234123, California, Active, Issued 06/2014 |
| Nursys verification | Ordered 05/01/2026, fee $30 |
| Eligibility questions | Yes — 2017 DWI, California, completed probation; uploaded judgment + statement |
| Fingerprints | IdentoGO Houston, 05/10/2026 |
| Total fees paid | $186 BON + $30 Nursys + $39.95 IdentoGO |
Scenario 3 — Priya Nair, Internationally Educated Nurse from India
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| Pathway selected | Application for Licensure by Examination — Internationally Educated |
| Legal name | Nair, Priya |
| Other names used | None |
| Date of birth / SSN-ITIN | 03/14/1992 / ITIN 9XX-7X-XXXX |
| Mailing address | 812 Westheimer Rd, Apt 3, Houston, TX 77006 |
| Nursing education | Government College of Nursing, Thiruvananthapuram, BSc Nursing, 06/2010–05/2014 |
| CGFNS report | CES Professional Report ordered 02/2026, fee $450 |
| Prior licensure | Kerala Nurses Council Reg. No. 45872, Active |
| Eligibility questions | All No |
| Fingerprints | IdentoGO Houston, 04/30/2026 |
| NCLEX registration | Pearson VUE, paid $200 |
| Total fees paid | $100 BON + $200 Pearson VUE + $450 CGFNS + $39.95 IdentoGO |
How to File the Completed Texas RN Application
The primary filing channel is the Texas Nurse Portal at bon.texas.gov/olv. There is no fee to use the portal beyond a $3.50 convenience charge, and accepted payment methods are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and ACH bank draft. Applications submitted through the portal generate an immediate confirmation number; print that page or save the PDF as your proof of filing.
Mail filings are accepted only for ADA-accommodated applicants. The address is Texas Board of Nursing, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10.200, Austin, TX 78701. Mail filings must include a money order or cashier’s check made payable to Texas Board of Nursing — the Board does not accept personal checks for new applications. Expected processing time for paper is 8 to 12 weeks; online files clear in 2 to 4 weeks once all documents arrive.
Fingerprints are filed separately through IdentoGO using the Service Code generated in the Nurse Portal. The fee is $39.95 paid directly to IdentoGO. NCLEX registration is filed separately through Pearson VUE at $200, and CGFNS reports for international filers are ordered at cgfns.org. Keep every receipt — the Board does not have automatic visibility into payments made to third parties.
The single best proof of filing is the confirmation email plus the Nurse Portal status page that shows Application Received. Status changes as documents arrive — Pending Education, Pending Fingerprints, Pending Nursys, and finally Eligible to Test or Issued. Bookmark the status page and check it weekly.
What Happens After You File
Once your application is in the Nurse Portal, the Board’s intake team performs a completeness review within 5 to 10 business days. Incomplete files generate a Request for Information email listing every missing item. You have 30 days to respond before the file is closed and the fee forfeited under 22 TAC §223.1.
For examination filers, once your education, fingerprints, and eligibility review clear, the Board sends an Authorization to Test (ATT) to Pearson VUE. The ATT is valid for 75 days under NCSBN policy, and you may schedule your NCLEX-RN at any Pearson VUE testing center. Results post to your Nurse Portal within 6 business days, and the license issues automatically on a passing result.
For endorsement filers, the license issues as soon as Nursys verification, fingerprints, and any eligibility review are complete — typically 2 to 6 weeks. International filers should expect a longer timeline, often 3 to 6 months, because the CGFNS evaluation alone takes 8 to 12 weeks. If your application is referred to the Office of Enforcement because of a Yes answer or a Nursys hit, expect an additional 90 to 180 days.
If the Board denies your application, you have a right to a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings under §301.4541. Most denials stem from undisclosed criminal history, not from the underlying conduct itself, which is why the Declaratory Order pathway is so valuable.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Texas RN Application
- Choosing the wrong pathway. An endorser who selects Examination must restart and pay again.
- Name mismatch with photo ID. The fingerprint result will not match, and the file pauses.
- Skipping the Other Names Used field. The Board’s Nursys check pulls every prior name, and a missing name looks like concealment.
- Entering DOB in DD/MM/YYYY format. International applicants commonly do this, and IdentoGO matching fails.
- Leaving the SSN/ITIN blank. Texas Family Code requires it, and the file cannot move.
- Using a school email that expires. Board notices bounce and the applicant misses the response window.
- Answering No to a deferred adjudication. Deferred adjudication is reportable, and a wrong answer is grounds for denial.
- Skipping the Nursys verification order. The Board cannot verify out-of-state licensure without it.
- Walking into IdentoGO without the Service Code. Those fingerprints do not transmit and the applicant pays twice.
- Paying only the BON fee. NCLEX registration with Pearson VUE is separate, and without it the ATT never issues.
- Forgetting to upload court records for Yes answers. Triggers Office of Enforcement referral and 90–180 days of delay.
- Forgetting the CGFNS report. International files cannot proceed without it.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do create your Nurse Portal account with an email you control for at least two years — the Board uses it for every notice.
- Do match your application name exactly to your government photo ID — fingerprint matching depends on it.
- Do order Nursys verification the same day you start the endorsement application — it is the slowest step.
- Do request transcripts directly from your school to the Board — hand-carried transcripts are rejected.
- Do consider a Petition for Declaratory Order before applying if you have a Yes eligibility issue — it preserves your fee.
- Do keep a single folder of every receipt and confirmation number — it is your only proof of filing.
- Don’t answer eligibility questions from memory — pull court records first because deferred adjudications and sealed cases still count.
- Don’t assume an NLC multistate license covers Texas if you are moving here — declaring Texas as your primary residence requires this application.
- Don’t schedule NCLEX before your ATT issues — Pearson VUE will not let you, and the attempt confuses the file.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box for IdentoGO mail-in fingerprint cards — it will not return them.
- Don’t sign the affidavit until you have re-read every eligibility answer — corrections after signature require a sworn amendment.
- Don’t pay more than once for the same service — the Board’s fees are non-refundable under 22 TAC §223.1.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most RN applicants file on their own through the Nurse Portal without issue. Applicants with eligibility issues, international education, or military discharge history often benefit from help — usually from a nurse-licensure attorney or from the Texas Nurses Association.
| Filing Pro Se | Filing With a Nurse-Licensure Attorney |
|---|---|
| Saves $1,500–$5,000 in attorney fees | Adds cost but reduces risk of denial |
| You control the timeline and pacing | Attorney handles deadlines and Board correspondence |
| Direct access to the Nurse Portal status page | Attorney monitors status and responds to RFIs |
| Works well for clean files | Strongly recommended for Yes eligibility answers |
| You learn the system for renewals later | Attorney drafts Declaratory Order petitions |
| Risk of self-incrimination on eligibility | Attorney shapes disclosures under privilege |
Pros of Filing Pro Se
- Lower cost — only the Board’s $100–$186 fee plus add-ons.
- Faster turnaround on clean files because there is no intermediary.
- Direct learning of the system for future renewals under 22 TAC §216.
- Full control of the narrative on your eligibility statements.
- No attorney scheduling delays.
Cons of Filing Pro Se
- No professional review of Yes eligibility answers, where most denials originate.
- Risk of waiving rights you did not know you had at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
- Easier to miss the 30-day Request for Information deadline.
- No advocate if the file is referred to the Office of Enforcement.
- Less leverage in negotiating an Agreed Order if discipline is proposed.
FAQs
Do I need to take the NCLEX-RN if I am endorsing from another state?
No. Endorsers do not retake NCLEX. Texas accepts your prior NCLEX result through Nursys, but you still file the endorsement application and pay the $186 fee.
Can I practice as an RN in Texas while my application is pending?
No. Practicing without a Texas license — or without an active NLC multistate privilege if your home state is a compact state — violates §301.451.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Box 1?
Yes, write your current legal name as shown on your photo ID. List the maiden name in Box 2 Other Names Used so the Board can match school transcripts.
Do I have to disclose a deferred adjudication that was dismissed?
Yes. Deferred adjudications are reportable under 22 TAC §213.28 even if the case was dismissed and sealed.
Can I use my school email for the Nurse Portal account?
No. Use a personal email you will keep for at least two years. The Board sends every status notice to that email.
Do I need an SSN if I am on a work visa?
No, but you must provide an IRS-issued ITIN and upload the CP565 notice. Without one or the other, the file cannot move.
Is the application fee refundable if I change my mind?
No. Under 22 TAC §223.1, Texas Board of Nursing fees are non-refundable, including the convenience fee.
Can I start IdentoGO fingerprints before submitting the application?
No. The Service Code is generated only after submission. Fingerprints taken without it will not transmit to the Board.
Do I need to order Nursys verification for a license that expired years ago?
Yes. Every prior license — active, lapsed, or surrendered — must be verified through Nursys for endorsement filers.
Will the Board see my expunged criminal record?
Yes. The FBI fingerprint check returns sealed and expunged records to the Board, and you must still disclose them under 22 TAC §213.28.
Should I file a Declaratory Order before applying?
Yes, if you have any criminal, disciplinary, mental-health, or substance-use history. The Declaratory Order lets you resolve eligibility before paying the licensure fee.
Does an NLC multistate license cover me in Texas if I move here?
No. Once Texas becomes your primary state of residence, you must file this application within 30 days under the Nurse Licensure Compact.
How long is my Authorization to Test (ATT) valid?
Yes, the ATT is valid, but only for 75 days. Schedule the NCLEX-RN at Pearson VUE before it expires or pay again.
Can I amend my eligibility answers after I sign the affidavit?
Yes, but only by submitting a sworn written correction to the Board. Unilateral edits in the portal after signature are not accepted.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida LPN License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida RN License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas CPA License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas DO License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Pharmacist License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Arizona (AZ) RN License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Medical License Application (MD) (w/Examples) + FAQs