The Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) LPN license application is the form you submit to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Georgia, and every new graduate, out-of-state nurse, and foreign-trained nurse must file it before they can work. The form proves you meet state rules under the Georgia Nurse Practice Act, and it links your record to the NCLEX-PN exam, your background check, and your transcripts.
A small mistake on this form can cost you weeks. The GBON processes most clean applications in under 15 business days, but one wrong date or a missing citizenship paper restarts that clock and can push your start date back a month or more. This guide walks you through the whole form, line by line, so you file it right the first time.
Here is what you will learn:
- 📋 What each field on the GBON application asks and how to fill it in
- 🪪 Which documents and ID numbers to gather before you open the form
- 💳 The exact fees, where to pay them, and why they are non-refundable
- 🔎 The fingerprint, background-check, and Pearson VUE steps that trip people up
- ⚠️ The most common errors that get applications held or withdrawn
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The GBON LPN license application is a state form that asks the Georgia Board of Nursing to grant you a practical nurse license. The Board sits inside the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, and it is the only agency that can issue an LPN license in Georgia. The form is required by O.C.G.A. § 43-26-35, the section of the Georgia Nurse Practice Act that controls practical nurse licensure.
You must file this form if you fall into one of four groups. First, U.S. graduates applying by examination are new grads from a Board-approved program who have never held a license. Second, out-of-state nurses applying by endorsement already hold an active LPN license in another state. Third, foreign-educated nurses trained outside the U.S. apply through a separate exam track. Fourth, graduates of nontraditional programs, such as former paramedics or military corpsmen, file a paper application with extra clinical proof.
The form solves one problem: it tells the state you are safe and qualified to give patient care. If you skip it or fill it out wrong, you cannot legally work as an LPN in Georgia, and practicing without a license is a crime under state law. The Board also uses your answers to run a criminal background check and to release your Authorization to Test for the NCLEX-PN.
A quick word on the examination track versus the endorsement track, since people mix them up. Examination is for new nurses who must still take the NCLEX-PN. Endorsement is for nurses who already passed the NCLEX in another state and now want a Georgia license. Both use the same online system, but the fees and required documents differ.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before you open the application. The form will not let you finish without these, and a missing item is the top reason applications stall. Georgia is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so some items also decide whether you get a multistate license.
- Social Security Number. Every applicant must have a U.S. SSN; without it, the Board cannot run your background check or process the form at all.
- Government-issued photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID is needed for both the form and your fingerprint visit, and the name must match your application.
- Official transcripts from your nursing program. These prove you graduated from a Board-approved program, and the Board will not approve you to test without them.
- Citizenship or lawful-presence document. Georgia law requires a secure and verifiable document, such as a passport or birth certificate, plus a signed affidavit; a missing affidavit triggers an instant deficiency hold.
- GAPS/IdentoGO fingerprint registration. You must register with Georgia Applicant Processing Services about 48 hours before you apply so the background check can be linked to your file.
- Pearson VUE NCLEX-PN registration. Exam applicants should register with Pearson VUE before applying so your Authorization to Test releases without delay.
- Proof of Georgia residency (for a multistate license). A driver’s license, voter card, or W-2 showing a Georgia address is needed if you want compact privileges.
- Out-of-state or original license verification (endorsement only). You must order verification sent directly from each state that licensed you; self-printed copies are not accepted.
- Payment method. A credit card for the online portal, or a check/money order for mailed forms, since all fees are non-refundable and due at filing.
- Dates that match your records. Your graduation date, birth date, and license numbers must match your transcripts and other states’ records exactly.
If any item is missing when you submit, the Board mails a deficiency letter, and your 15-day review clock starts over only when you fix it. Applications left uncorrected for 60 days are withdrawn, and a withdrawn application means you start over with new documents and a new fee.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Most applicants file through the Georgia Online Licensing system, often called the GOALS portal. You create a free account, choose the LPN application that fits your path, and upload your documents as PDFs or images. The portal is the fastest channel because it routes your file straight into the Board’s review queue.
Some tracks still require a paper form. Endorsement applicants and foreign-educated applicants must submit a completed, signed, and notarized paper application by mail. Nontraditional-program graduates also file on paper. You download these forms from the Georgia Board of Nursing forms page, print them, and sign them in front of a notary.
Always check the revision date printed at the bottom of any PDF before you fill it out. The Board updates its forms, and an old version can be rejected on sight. As of 2026, the current fee schedule and the online GOALS portal are the standard reference, and the rules live in Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 410-2-.05.
A common misconception is that everyone can file fully online. In truth, only U.S. examination applicants and multistate upgrades have a clean online path; endorsement and foreign tracks need notarized paper. Pick the right channel up front so you do not fill out the wrong form twice.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Georgia LPN Application Line by Line
The application is grouped into clear sections. Work through them in the order they appear on the form, and use the exact field names the GBON prints. Each part below tells you what the field asks, how to answer, an example, an edge case, a common mistake, and a myth to drop.
1. Application Type / License Pathway
This field asks which kind of LPN license you want: by examination, by endorsement, or as an international graduate. You answer by checking the single box that matches your situation, and you select only one path per application. For example, Brianna Carter, a May 2026 graduate of a Georgia practical nursing program, checks Licensure by Examination.
What if you are a Compact-state nurse who is not eligible for a multistate license? You still choose endorsement, not examination, because you already passed the NCLEX. The most common mistake here is a new grad checking endorsement by accident, which makes the Board ask for license verification you do not have and stalls the file. People wrongly believe you can switch pathways later for free; in fact, choosing the wrong path can force a new application and a second non-refundable fee.
2. Full Legal Name
This field asks for your complete legal name as it appears on your government ID and Social Security card. Enter your last name, first name, and middle name in the boxes, using the spelling on your SSA record. For example, Brianna Nicole Carter writes CARTER, BRIANNA, NICOLE.
What if you recently married and changed your name? Use your current legal name, then list the prior name in the “other names used” box so the Board can match your transcripts. The common mistake is entering a nickname or a maiden name that does not match the SSA record, which triggers a hold because the Board cross-checks names against federal data. Many people think the name on their diploma controls; the name on your Social Security card controls, and a mismatch delays both the background check and your NCLEX authorization.
3. Date of Birth
This field asks for the day you were born, used to confirm your identity and pull your background record. Enter it in MM/DD/YYYY format with no extra text. For example, Brianna enters 07/19/2002.
What if your birth date on a foreign document uses a day-month-year order? Convert it to the U.S. month-day-year format so it matches your other records. A common mistake is transposing the month and day, which can attach the wrong criminal record or clear no record at all, forcing the Board to ask for proof. People assume the date is a minor detail; it is a key matching field for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation check, and an error there can add weeks.
4. Social Security Number
This field asks for your nine-digit U.S. Social Security Number, the master key the Board uses to link your form, fingerprints, and exam record. Enter all nine digits in the format XXX-XX-XXXX. For example, Brianna enters her SSN exactly as printed on her card.
What if you do not have an SSN yet? You cannot complete the application, because Georgia requires an SSN for every nursing applicant; you must obtain one first. The common mistake is mistyping one digit, which breaks the link between your background check and your file and can stall the whole process. Some applicants believe they can use an ITIN or leave it blank; the Board accepts only a valid SSN, and a blank field stops the form.
5. Contact Information and Mailing Address
This field asks for your current home address, phone number, and email so the Board can reach you with deficiency letters and your license status. Enter a street address, city, state, and ZIP code, and use an email you check daily. For example, Brianna enters her Atlanta apartment address and a personal Gmail account.
What if you have only a P.O. Box? List the P.O. Box for mail, but add a physical street address if the form asks, since residency can affect a multistate license. The common mistake is using an old or school email you will lose access to, which means you miss the Authorization to Test and the deficiency notices. People think the Board calls applicants; it relies on email and the portal, so a wrong address can leave you in the dark for weeks.
6. Education / Nursing Program Details
This field asks for the name, location, and graduation date of your Board-approved practical nursing program. Enter the official program name and the exact graduation date shown on your transcript. For example, Brianna enters Georgia Piedmont Technical College with a graduation date of 05/15/2026.
What if your program is outside Georgia? You still list it, and the Board will compare it to Rule 410-9-.06 to confirm it is substantially equal to a Georgia program. The common mistake is entering a graduation date that does not match the transcript, which the Board flags as a discrepancy and holds. Many applicants believe they can apply before they graduate; under Rule 410-2-.05, you must pass the NCLEX-PN within three years of graduation, and your transcript must show completion.
7. Criminal History and Disciplinary Disclosure
This field asks whether you have ever been arrested, charged, convicted, or disciplined by any licensing board. Answer Yes or No honestly, and if Yes, attach a written explanation plus court or board documents. For example, Marcus Hill, an endorsement applicant with a 2019 misdemeanor, checks Yes and uploads the certified court disposition.
What if your record was expunged or sealed? You still disclose it, because the Board sees state and federal background results and expects full honesty. The common mistake is answering No to hide a minor charge; the fingerprint check finds it anyway, and the false answer itself can deny your license. People think a single old misdemeanor automatically blocks licensure; the Board reviews most on a case-by-case basis, but a lie is far more damaging than the offense.
8. Citizenship / Lawful Presence Affidavit
This field asks you to swear you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully present immigrant, as Georgia law requires. You check the matching box, sign the affidavit, and upload a secure and verifiable document such as a passport. For example, Brianna checks U.S. citizen, signs the affidavit, and uploads her passport photo page.
What if you are a qualified alien? You check the lawful-presence box and upload your qualifying immigration document instead of a passport. The common mistake is signing the form but forgetting to upload the supporting document, which is one of the most frequent causes of a deficiency letter. Many applicants think a driver’s license alone proves citizenship; it does not, so you must attach the specific secure and verifiable document the Board lists.
9. Background Check / GAPS Registration Confirmation
This field confirms you have registered for fingerprinting through GAPS/IdentoGO so the Board can order your GBI and FBI record. You enter or confirm your GAPS registration details and use the ORI number GA922931Z. For example, Brianna registers at IdentoGO 48 hours before applying and notes her UEID number.
What if you live out of state? You select the mail-in fingerprint-card option, get two FD-258 cards, write your UEID on each, and mail them to the IdentoGO Cardscan Department in Brentwood, TN. The common mistake is applying before registering with GAPS, which breaks the link and delays the background order. People assume the Board takes fingerprints; in reality, you must complete the GAPS step yourself within the Board’s time window or the file stalls.
10. Pearson VUE / NCLEX-PN Registration (Examination Applicants)
This field links your application to your NCLEX-PN exam registration with Pearson VUE. Examination applicants register with Pearson VUE, pay the $200 exam fee, and use the same legal name on both. For example, Brianna registers with Pearson VUE the same week she files her GBON form.
What if you used a slightly different name on Pearson VUE? Fix it so it matches your application exactly, because a name mismatch can stop your Authorization to Test from releasing. The common mistake is waiting until after Board approval to register, which adds days you do not need to lose. People believe the Board schedules your exam; you must register and pay Pearson VUE yourself, and the Board only releases your authorization once you are approved.
11. Attestation and Signature
This field is your sworn statement that everything on the form is true, complete, and not misleading. You read the attestation, sign, and date it; paper endorsement and foreign forms must be signed in front of a notary. For example, Marcus, filing by endorsement, signs his paper application before a notary and writes the date.
What if you file online? Your electronic signature and login serve as your sworn signature, so no notary is needed for the online examination path. The common mistake is leaving the signature or date blank, which voids the form and forces a resubmission. Many applicants think the attestation is a formality; it is a legal oath, and a false statement here can lead to denial or later discipline under the Nurse Practice Act.
12. Fee Payment
This field is where you pay the non-refundable application fee tied to your pathway. Online filers pay by card; mail filers send a check or money order payable to the Georgia Board of Nursing. For example, Brianna pays the $40 examination fee plus the $5 online processing fee by credit card.
What if you are upgrading to a multistate license? You pay the $50 multistate upgrade fee instead of the examination fee. The common mistake is sending the wrong amount or forgetting the processing fee, which leaves the form unprocessed. People assume the fee is refundable if they are denied; every Board fee is non-refundable, so confirm your pathway before you pay.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three walkthroughs follow named applicants through the form so you can see what real entries look like. Each one matches a common Georgia LPN pathway.
Scenario 1: Brianna Carter, a new Georgia graduate applying by examination.
| Form Section | What Brianna Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Examination |
| Full Legal Name | CARTER, BRIANNA, NICOLE |
| Date of Birth | 07/19/2002 |
| Social Security Number | Her nine-digit SSN as printed |
| Education / Program | Georgia Piedmont Technical College, grad 05/15/2026 |
| Criminal History | No |
| Citizenship Affidavit | U.S. citizen, passport uploaded |
| Pearson VUE / NCLEX-PN | Registered, $200 fee paid |
| Fee Payment | $40 exam fee + $5 online processing |
Scenario 2: Marcus Hill, a Florida LPN applying by endorsement.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Endorsement |
| Full Legal Name | HILL, MARCUS, JAMES |
| Date of Birth | 03/02/1990 |
| Social Security Number | His nine-digit SSN as printed |
| Original License Verification | Ordered from Florida Board of Nursing |
| Criminal History | Yes, 2019 misdemeanor explained with court records |
| Citizenship Affidavit | U.S. citizen, birth certificate uploaded |
| Practice Hours Proof | 500+ LPN hours in past four years |
| Signature | Signed and notarized, $75 fee + $10 mail processing |
Scenario 3: Lucia Mendoza, a foreign-educated nurse from the Philippines.
| Form Section | What Lucia Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Examination, International Graduate |
| Full Legal Name | MENDOZA, LUCIA, REYES |
| Date of Birth | 11/24/1994 |
| Social Security Number | Her nine-digit SSN as printed |
| Credential Evaluation | CGFNS CES Report sent to GBON |
| TOEFL Score | 84 internet-based, above the 79 minimum |
| Citizenship / Lawful Presence | Qualified alien document uploaded |
| Pearson VUE / NCLEX-PN | Registered to test |
| Signature | Signed and notarized, fee paid by mail |
How to File the Completed Form
Georgia gives you two filing channels, and the right one depends on your pathway. Pick carefully, because the wrong channel can mean a rejected form and a lost fee.
Online through the GOALS portal. U.S. examination applicants and multistate upgrades file at the Georgia Online Licensing system. You upload documents, pay by credit card, and add a $5 online processing fee. The Board reviews most clean files in under 15 business days, and you should save your confirmation screen and email as proof of filing.
By mail. Endorsement applicants, foreign-educated applicants, and nontraditional-program graduates mail a notarized paper application in a 9×12 envelope to the Georgia Board of Nursing, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217. You pay by check or money order plus a $10 mail processing fee, and you keep a copy of everything plus your tracking number. Mailed files take longer because staff must scan them in before review.
Whichever channel you use, keep proof of filing. Save your portal confirmation or your certified-mail receipt, because if a document is lost you will need to show you sent it. The Board accepts payment in U.S. funds only, and every fee is non-refundable once submitted.
What Happens After You File
After you submit, the Board reviews your application in the order received, usually in under 15 business days once all documents arrive. If something is missing, you get a deficiency letter, and the review clock restarts only when you fix the issue. Applications left uncorrected for 60 days are withdrawn, which means you start over with new documents and a new fee.
Once the Board approves you, two things happen. You receive your Authorization to Test from Pearson VUE so you can schedule the NCLEX-PN, and you get a GAPS email to complete fingerprinting if you have not already. The Board usually gets your background results within 72 hours of the scan.
If your background check is clear and you pass the NCLEX-PN, your license is issued and posted to Nursys, the national license database. Georgia does not normally issue temporary LPN licenses, so you cannot work until the full license appears. If you are under investigation for a Nurse Practice Act issue, the Board can hold your license even after you pass the exam.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has stalled real applications. Read them before you submit so you do not repeat them.
- Choosing the wrong pathway; it can force a brand-new application and a second non-refundable fee.
- Using a name that does not match your SSA record; it triggers a federal-match hold.
- Mistyping your Social Security Number; it breaks the link to your background check.
- Entering a graduation date that does not match your transcript; the Board flags a discrepancy and holds the file.
- Signing the citizenship affidavit but forgetting to upload the document; it causes an instant deficiency letter.
- Applying before registering with GAPS; the background check cannot be ordered on time.
- Answering “No” to a criminal-history question to hide a charge; the false answer alone can deny your license.
- Registering with Pearson VUE under a different name; your Authorization to Test will not release.
- Using a school email you will lose access to; you miss deficiency notices and your authorization.
- Sending the wrong fee or skipping the processing fee; the form sits unprocessed.
- Leaving the signature or date blank; the form is void and must be resubmitted.
- Filing the online form when your pathway requires a notarized paper form; the Board rejects it.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do register with GAPS about 48 hours before you apply, so your background check links to your file.
- Do match every name, date, and number to your official records, because the Board cross-checks each one.
- Do upload your citizenship document and affidavit together, since a missing one is the top deficiency cause.
- Do register with Pearson VUE early, so your Authorization to Test releases the moment you are approved.
- Do save your filing confirmation, because you may need to prove you sent a document.
- Do disclose any criminal or disciplinary history fully, since the background check will surface it anyway.
Don’ts
- Don’t choose the wrong pathway, because it can cost you a second non-refundable fee.
- Don’t use a nickname or outdated name, since a mismatch holds your federal check.
- Don’t wait 60 days to fix a deficiency, or your application is withdrawn entirely.
- Don’t assume the Board schedules your NCLEX; you must register and pay Pearson VUE yourself.
- Don’t expect a temporary license, because Georgia does not normally issue one for LPNs.
- Don’t mail a form that should be filed online, or you will lose review time.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most Georgia LPN applicants file on their own, but some use a school adviser, an attorney, or an agency. Weigh both before you decide.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Help |
|---|---|
| Free beyond the Board fees, so you save money | Costs extra, but a pro can catch errors before they cause holds |
| You control timing and can apply the day you graduate | An adviser may speed gathering transcripts and verifications |
| You learn the system, useful for future renewals | Helpful if you have a criminal record or complex foreign credentials |
| Online portal is built for self-service applicants | Endorsement and foreign paper forms are easier with guidance |
| Direct contact with the Board avoids middlemen | A pro understands deficiency letters and how to respond fast |
The right choice depends on your situation. A clean-record Georgia grad usually files alone with no trouble, because the online portal is simple. An applicant with a past conviction, a foreign credential evaluation, or a complicated work history may save weeks by getting help with the disclosure and supporting documents.
FAQs
Do I have to register for fingerprinting before I submit the application?
Yes. Register with GAPS/IdentoGO about 48 hours before you apply so the Board can order your background check. Applying first breaks the link and delays your review.
Do I write my maiden name or my married name in the name field?
No, not the maiden name if it no longer matches your records. Use your current legal name from your Social Security card, then list prior names in the “other names” box.
Do I check “examination” or “endorsement” if I already passed the NCLEX in another state?
No, not examination. Choose endorsement, because endorsement is for nurses who already passed the NCLEX-PN elsewhere and now want a Georgia license.
Do I have to disclose an old expunged misdemeanor in the criminal-history box?
Yes. Disclose it even if expunged or sealed, because the background check finds it anyway, and a false “No” can deny your license outright.
Do I enter my date of birth as month-day-year?
Yes. Use MM/DD/YYYY format, such as 07/19/2002. Transposing month and day can attach the wrong record and cause a hold.
Do I need a notary for the online examination application?
No. Your portal login and electronic signature serve as your oath. Only paper endorsement, foreign, and nontraditional applications must be notarized.
Does Georgia issue a temporary LPN license while I wait?
No. Georgia does not normally issue temporary LPN licenses, so you cannot work until your full license is posted.
Do I pay the Pearson VUE exam fee on the GBON application?
No. You pay the $200 NCLEX-PN fee directly to Pearson VUE, separate from the $40 Board application fee.
Does the application fee come back if I am denied?
No. Every Board fee is non-refundable, so confirm your pathway and details before you pay.
Do I have to upload a citizenship document if I sign the affidavit?
Yes. Sign the affidavit and upload a secure and verifiable document like a passport. A signed affidavit with no document triggers a deficiency letter.
Does the graduation date on my form have to match my transcript exactly?
Yes. It must match your official transcript, because any mismatch is flagged as a discrepancy and holds your application.
Do I get a multistate compact license automatically?
No, not automatically. You must declare Georgia as your primary residence, upload residency proof, and meet the 11 Uniform Licensure Requirements to qualify.
Do out-of-state applicants do fingerprints differently?
Yes. Out-of-state applicants mail two FD-258 fingerprint cards with their UEID to the IdentoGO Cardscan Department, since Georgia has no electronic out-of-state option.
Do I have to pass the NCLEX-PN within a time limit?
Yes. You must pass within three years of graduation under Rule 410-2-.05, or you must re-enroll in and graduate from an approved program again.
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