The Georgia RN license application is the official form you submit to the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) to become a licensed registered nurse in Georgia, and every new graduate or out-of-state nurse who wants to work as an RN in the state must complete it. The Board sits under the Georgia Secretary of State, and it runs almost every application through one online system called the GOALS portal.
You apply one of two ways: Licensure by Examination if you are a new graduate who has not yet passed the NCLEX-RN, or Licensure by Endorsement if you already hold an active license in another state. Georgia processes complete applications in about 15 business days, one of the fastest review times in the country, and charges only $40 for the exam application, which is among the lowest fees of any state. One missing document, though, can stall that fast timeline for weeks.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- ✅ How to fill out every field on both the exam and endorsement applications, line by line
- 📄 Exactly which documents to gather before you start so your file is not held up
- 🖐️ How the GAPS/Idemia fingerprint step works and the one timing mistake that voids it
- 🏷️ How to answer the name, citizenship, and criminal-history questions without triggering a hold
- 🌐 How to choose between a single-state and a multistate (compact) license
What the RN License Application Is and Who Must File It
The Georgia RN license application is a request for the state to grant you legal authority to practice as a registered nurse. The form is received and reviewed by the Georgia Board of Nursing, which operates as a division of the Georgia Secretary of State’s office in Macon. The Board’s authority to require this form comes from the Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act, found in Title 43, Chapter 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
That statute is the law that makes nursing without a license illegal in Georgia. If you ignore it and practice without an active license, you can face criminal charges and civil fines, and any future application can be denied for that reason. For example, Tanya finishes her ADN in May, accepts a hospital job that starts in June, and works two shifts before her license posts; that short gap exposes both her and the hospital to penalties. A common misconception is that passing the NCLEX alone makes you a nurse, but the exam only clears one step, and the license is not real until the Board issues it in your GOALS portal account.
Two groups must file. New graduates of a Board-approved nursing program file the Licensure by Examination application before they can sit for the NCLEX-RN. Nurses already licensed in another U.S. state or territory file the Licensure by Endorsement application, which lets them skip the exam if they meet practice requirements. Internationally-educated nurses use a separate examination pathway that adds a credential evaluation and an English proficiency step under Rule 410-2-.03.
A third detail matters for almost everyone: the compact. Georgia joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2006, so the same application lets you request either a single-state license or a multistate license, which is explained in detail later in this guide.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the GOALS portal, because the system times out and the Board will not hold an incomplete file open for long. Missing even one item is the top reason a fast 15-day review turns into a six-week wait. Here is your pre-filing checklist with the reason each item matters.
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport). The Board cross-checks your name and date of birth against this, and a mismatch triggers a processing hold.
- Social Security number. The state and federal background systems index your record by SSN, and a wrong digit can attach someone else’s history to your file or delay the FBI check.
- Your legal name exactly as it appears on your ID and your school records. If the name on your application does not match your transcript or your Pearson VUE profile, the Board cannot link your file and review stops.
- Official nursing school transcript or proof of program completion. The Board confirms you graduated from an approved program, and without it you cannot be cleared for the NCLEX.
- A credit or debit card for the fees. The exam application costs $40, endorsement costs $75, and fingerprinting costs about $42; the portal will not submit without payment.
- An Affidavit of Citizenship or Lawful Presence plus a secure and verifiable document. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1 requires this, and a missing affidavit is one of the most common causes of delay.
- Dates and details of any criminal or disciplinary history. You must disclose these, and leaving them out can be treated as falsification, which is far worse than the underlying issue.
- For endorsement applicants, your original and current license numbers and proof of 500 practice hours in the past four years. The Board verifies these through Nursys, and missing practice hours can force you into a refresher course.
- For internationally-educated applicants, a CGFNS or approved credential evaluation and English proficiency scores. These prove your education matches U.S. standards, and the Board cannot review your file without them.
Set aside about 30 minutes, a quiet space, and a phone or scanner to upload clear images. Blurry uploads get rejected, and you start that piece over.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Georgia no longer wants paper for most applicants. The main path is the GOALS online portal, the Secretary of State’s licensing system, where you create an account and complete the application on screen. You reach it from the Georgia Board of Nursing page by selecting “Apply for a License.” The online form auto-checks for blank required fields, which is why it is faster and less error-prone than paper.
A paper version still exists for limited situations, such as some international or reentry packets, and those PDFs live on the Board’s forms and applications page. Paper forms must be printed, completed in black ink, and in many cases notarized before mailing. If you use paper, confirm the revision date printed in the footer of the form so you know you have the current version; the Board rejects outdated form versions.
Before you start the application itself, you also need a GAPS/Idemia account for fingerprinting, but the timing is critical and is covered in the step-by-step section. The mailing address for any paper submission or supporting document is Georgia Board of Nursing, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217. Keep that address handy, but treat mail as a last resort since it adds days to delivery and scanning.
A misconception worth clearing up: many applicants think they must visit the Macon office in person. You do not. Almost everything happens online, and the office does not take walk-in applications.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Georgia RN License Application Line by Line
This section walks through every field in the order it appears in the GOALS portal. The fields are nearly identical for the Examination and Endorsement applications, and any difference is noted inside the relevant step. Sample entries are shown in italics so you can tell them apart from instructions.
Step 1: Create Your GOALS Account
This first screen asks for a username, a password, and a working email address. Pick an email you check often, because the Board, GAPS, and Pearson VUE all send time-sensitive messages there. Maria Lopez enters maria.lopez88@email.com and a password she saves in her phone.
Use a personal email, not a work or school address, because school accounts get shut off after graduation and you can lose access to your license messages. The most common mistake here is creating a second account later because you forgot the first login, which splits your records and confuses the Board’s reviewers. A misconception is that the account is just a login; it is actually your permanent license record and renewal home, so guard the credentials.
Step 2: Select the Application Type
The portal asks which license and pathway you want. Choose Registered Nurse and then either Licensure by Examination or Licensure by Endorsement. Marcus, a new graduate of Georgia State University, selects Registered Nurse by Examination.
Pick carefully, because the fee is non-refundable and the wrong pathway means you pay again. New graduates who have never held a license anywhere use Examination; anyone holding an active out-of-state license uses Endorsement. The common mistake is a recent graduate from another state who already passed the NCLEX there picking Examination by habit, which forces a restart as endorsement. A misconception is that endorsement means a second exam, but endorsement skips the NCLEX entirely if you qualify.
Step 3: Enter Your Full Legal Name
This field asks for your first, middle, and last name exactly as printed on your government ID. Type it in the order shown and avoid nicknames. Maria Lopez writes Maria Elena Lopez, not “Mari.”
Match this to your ID and your nursing school records because the Board and Pearson VUE cross-check the name, and a mismatch blocks your Authorization to Test (ATT). If your name changed after marriage or divorce, use your current legal name and upload the court order or marriage certificate that proves the change. The common mistake is entering a maiden name on the application but a married name on the NCLEX registration, which stops the ATT from issuing. A misconception is that small spelling differences are harmless; the system reads them as two different people.
Step 4: Date of Birth and Social Security Number
Here you enter your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format and your nine-digit Social Security number with no dashes. Maria enters 03/14/1991 and 123456789.
Enter these slowly and double-check each digit, because the background-check systems index your entire criminal history by SSN and date of birth. One transposed number can pull someone else’s record into your file or return no record and freeze your review. The common mistake is rushing the SSN and reversing two digits, which can take weeks to untangle with the FBI database. A misconception is that the SSN is optional for privacy; it is required by law for the background check and cannot be skipped.
Step 5: Contact Information and Mailing Address
This section asks for your home address, mailing address, phone number, and email. Use a permanent address where you can receive mail for the next several months. Marcus enters 482 Peachtree St NE, Apt 3, Atlanta, GA 30308.
Keep this current because the Board mails certain notices and uses the address to confirm your primary state of residence for compact purposes. If you have only a P.O. Box, enter it in the mailing field but provide a physical street address in the residence field, since the compact requires a real residence. The common mistake is listing an out-of-state address while requesting a Georgia compact license, which the Board reads as a contradiction and flags. A misconception is that address fields are minor; they directly drive your single-state versus multistate eligibility.
Step 6: Education and Program Information
This field asks for the name of your nursing program, the degree earned, and your graduation date. Maria selects Georgia State University, Associate of Science in Nursing, graduation 05/2026.
Enter the exact school name as it appears on your transcript because the Board matches it to its list of approved programs. For endorsement, you list the school where you originally completed your nursing education, not a later bridge program. The common mistake is listing only a current employer or a continuing-education course instead of the degree-granting program, which leaves the Board unable to confirm your qualifying education. A misconception is that uploading a diploma replaces an official transcript; the Board requires the transcript sent directly from the school.
Step 7: License History (Endorsement Applicants)
Endorsement applicants reach a screen asking for every state where they hold or have held a nursing license, with license numbers and status. Janet, who has nursed in South Carolina for 22 years, lists South Carolina RN #112233, Active.
List your original license state and your current license state, because the Board verifies both through Nursys. Disclose any expired or lapsed licenses too, since the Board will find them and hidden gaps look like concealment. The common mistake is listing only the current active license and skipping the original one, which leaves a verification gap and stalls the file. A misconception is that the Board can see all your licenses automatically; you must list them so the verification request gets sent.
Step 8: Practice Hours and Reentry (Endorsement Applicants)
This field asks whether you have practiced at least 500 hours in the past four years. Answer Yes or No honestly and attach employment verification if requested. Janet checks Yes and notes full-time employment at Roper Hospital, 2004 to present.
This matters because Georgia requires recent practice for endorsement, and if you answer No, the Board may require a Board-approved refresher or reentry program before issuing the license. If your hours are borderline, gather pay stubs or an employer letter showing dates and hours worked. The common mistake is guessing Yes without proof, which leads to a request for documentation you cannot produce and a long delay. A misconception is that any nursing-adjacent job counts; the hours must be actual nursing practice under your license.
Step 9: Criminal History and Disciplinary Questions
This section asks a series of Yes/No questions about arrests, convictions, pending charges, and prior license discipline. Answer every question truthfully and, for any Yes, attach a written explanation and the court or board documents. Marcus answers No to all questions; David, who had a misdemeanor DUI in 2019, answers Yes and attaches the disposition.
Honesty is the whole game here because the GAPS/Idemia fingerprint check hits both GBI and FBI databases, so the Board sees everything anyway. The Board reviews history case-by-case, weighing the offense, the time passed, and rehabilitation, so an old resolved issue rarely ends a career. The common mistake is answering No to “hide” a sealed or old charge, which the Board treats as falsification and is a far more serious ground for denial than the original offense. A misconception is that expunged or dismissed cases never need disclosure; if the question asks, you usually must report it and explain.
Step 10: Affidavit of Citizenship or Lawful Presence
Here you confirm your U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status and upload a secure and verifiable document such as a driver’s license or passport. Maria uploads a photo of her Georgia driver’s license and signs the affidavit electronically.
This step is required by O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1, a state law that applies to every public benefit, including a professional license. If you skip the affidavit or upload an unreadable document, the Board cannot issue the license, full stop. The common mistake is forgetting the affidavit entirely, which is one of the single biggest causes of endorsement delays. A misconception is that the fingerprint check covers identity, so the affidavit is redundant; the two serve different legal purposes and both are mandatory.
Step 11: Compact License Choice
The portal asks whether you want a single-state Georgia license or a multistate (compact) license. Choose based on your primary state of residence and your travel plans. Marcus, who lives in Atlanta, selects multistate.
Pick multistate only if Georgia is your primary state of residence, because the Nurse Licensure Compact ties a multistate license to legal residency. If you live outside Georgia, you must select single-state, and you may owe a $50 conversion fee later if you upgrade. The common mistake is requesting multistate while declaring an out-of-state address in Step 5, which the Board rejects as inconsistent. A misconception is that multistate lets you live anywhere; it requires Georgia residency and an unencumbered record.
Step 12: Pay the Application Fee
This screen processes your non-refundable fee by credit or debit card. Examination applicants pay $40; endorsement applicants pay $75. Maria pays the $40 exam fee and saves the receipt.
Pay only after you have reviewed every prior field, because the fee does not come back if you chose the wrong pathway. Keep the on-screen confirmation and email receipt as proof of submission. The common mistake is closing the browser before the payment confirmation loads, which can leave the application unsubmitted even though the card was charged. A misconception is that paying completes the application; the file is not complete until fingerprints, transcripts, and verifications also arrive.
Step 13: Register for GAPS/Idemia Fingerprinting (Timing Is Critical)
After you submit and pay, you register for fingerprinting through GAPS/Idemia and schedule an appointment. Marcus registers the same afternoon he submits, then books a slot for two days later.
Register on the same day you submit your GOALS application, never before, because registering for fingerprinting too early can void the background check and force you to start the whole check over. The fee is about $42, paid to Idemia, and results reach the Board within roughly 72 hours. The common mistake is the well-meaning applicant who fingerprints a week early to “get ahead,” which voids the result and adds weeks. A misconception is that you can use old fingerprints from another agency; the Board requires a fresh GAPS submission tied to this application.
Step 14: Submit Supporting Documents and the Interim Permit Note
The final step is making sure your school sends the official transcript directly to the Board and, for endorsement, that Nursys verification is triggered. Maria asks her registrar to send the transcript electronically to the Board.
Confirm these are in motion the same week you apply, because the Board cannot finish review until they arrive. New graduate exam applicants who submit a complete file may receive an interim permit to work under supervision while waiting for the NCLEX, but endorsement applicants do not get a temporary permit. The common mistake is assuming the transcript was sent when the school never received the request, leaving a silent gap. A misconception is that uploading your own copy of a transcript counts; it must come directly from the institution to be official.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common filers walked through the application from start to finish. Each table shows the key fields and what that person enters.
Scenario 1: Marcus, New Georgia Graduate (Licensure by Examination)
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Registered Nurse by Examination |
| Full Legal Name | Marcus James Allen |
| Date of Birth / SSN | 07/22/2003 / no dashes |
| Mailing Address | 482 Peachtree St NE, Apt 3, Atlanta, GA 30308 |
| Education | Georgia State University, ASN, 05/2026 |
| Criminal History | No to all questions |
| Affidavit of Citizenship | Uploads Georgia driver’s license, signs affidavit |
| Compact Choice | Multistate (Georgia resident) |
| Fee | $40, paid by debit card |
| Fingerprinting | Registers GAPS same day, books appointment |
Scenario 2: Janet, Out-of-State RN (Licensure by Endorsement)
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Registered Nurse by Endorsement |
| Full Legal Name | Janet Marie Coleman |
| Date of Birth / SSN | 11/03/1972 / no dashes |
| Mailing Address | 15 Live Oak Ln, Savannah, GA 31401 |
| Original License | South Carolina RN #112233, verified via Nursys |
| Practice Hours | Yes, 500+ hours, employer letter attached |
| Criminal History | No to all questions |
| Affidavit of Citizenship | Uploads U.S. passport, signs affidavit |
| Compact Choice | Multistate (moved residence to Georgia) |
| Fee | $75, paid by credit card |
Scenario 3: Priya, Internationally-Educated Nurse (Examination, International Path)
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Registered Nurse by Examination (International) |
| Full Legal Name | Priya Anand Nair |
| Date of Birth / SSN | 02/18/1995 / SSN once issued |
| Mailing Address | 900 Mansell Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
| Education | College of Nursing, Manipal, India, BSc Nursing 2017 |
| Credential Evaluation | Uploads CGFNS credentials evaluation report |
| English Proficiency | Uploads passing IELTS Academic scores |
| Criminal History | No to all questions |
| Affidavit of Lawful Presence | Uploads permanent resident card, signs affidavit |
| Fee | $40 plus international processing |
How to File the Completed Georgia RN Application
Most applicants file entirely online, but here is every channel with what you need for each.
Online (recommended). File through the GOALS portal. The exam fee is $40 and endorsement is $75, paid by credit or debit card. The Board reviews complete files in about 15 business days. Save the confirmation screen and the emailed receipt as your proof of filing.
Fingerprinting (required, separate step). Register at GAPS/Idemia the same day you submit online, pay about $42 by card, and complete prints at a scheduled site. Results reach the Board in roughly 72 hours. Keep your GAPS registration confirmation as proof.
Mail (limited use). Some international and reentry packets allow paper. Mail the completed, signed, and notarized form to Georgia Board of Nursing, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217, with a check or money order for the fee payable to the Georgia Board of Nursing. Use certified mail and keep the tracking number as proof; expect added days for delivery and scanning.
In person. Walk-in applications are not accepted, so do not plan to file at the Macon office. Send any physical documents by mail instead.
For all channels, keep copies of everything you submit. If a document is “lost,” your dated proof of filing is what lets the Board locate or accept it without restarting your timeline.
What Happens After You File
Once your file is complete, the Board verifies your transcript, fingerprint results, and any license or credential checks. For exam applicants, the Board sends your eligibility to Pearson VUE, which issues your Authorization to Test (ATT) so you can schedule the NCLEX-RN. You then register and pay the separate $200 exam fee directly to Pearson VUE.
Endorsement applicants skip the exam, and once Nursys verification and the background check clear, the Board issues the license and it appears in your GOALS account. Most applicants see a decision within two to four weeks of a complete file. You can track progress anytime by logging into the GOALS portal and checking your application status.
If something is missing, the Board posts a deficiency notice in your account, so check it often rather than waiting for a phone call. Once issued, your license number is searchable on license verification, and you can give that number to an employer as proof. Remember that your license renews on January 31 of the expiration year on a two-year cycle, and Georgia tracks continuing competency through CE Broker.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Application
- Registering for GAPS fingerprinting before submitting the GOALS application, which voids the background check and forces a restart.
- Entering a name that does not match your ID or transcript, which blocks your Authorization to Test.
- Transposing digits in your Social Security number, which freezes the background check or pulls the wrong record.
- Forgetting to upload the Affidavit of Citizenship, one of the top causes of endorsement delays.
- Answering No to a criminal-history question to hide an old charge, which the Board treats as falsification and a serious denial ground.
- Listing only your current license and skipping your original license state, which leaves a verification gap.
- Claiming 500 practice hours without proof, which triggers a documentation request you may not be able to meet.
- Requesting a multistate license while declaring an out-of-state residence, which the Board rejects as inconsistent.
- Assuming your school sent the transcript when the request was never made, which silently stalls review.
- Closing the browser before the payment confirmation loads, which can leave the application charged but unsubmitted.
- Using an outdated paper form version, which the Board rejects outright.
- Using a school email that gets shut off after graduation, which cuts you off from license messages.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do gather every document before you log in, because the portal times out and rejects blurry uploads.
- Do submit your application and register for fingerprints on the same day, since that order protects your background check.
- Do enter your name exactly as it reads on your ID, because the Board cross-checks it against Pearson VUE.
- Do disclose every charge and prior discipline, since the fingerprint check reveals everything anyway.
- Do confirm your school is sending the transcript directly, because that is the most common silent delay.
- Do save every receipt and confirmation as proof of filing in case a document goes missing.
Don’t:
- Don’t fingerprint early to “get ahead,” because it voids the result and adds weeks.
- Don’t guess on practice hours, since a wrong Yes leads to a documentation request you may fail.
- Don’t pick the wrong application pathway, because the fee is non-refundable.
- Don’t request multistate if you live outside Georgia, since residency is required.
- Don’t ignore deficiency notices in your account, because the Board waits on you, not the other way around.
- Don’t mail documents when online upload is available, since mail adds days and risk.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many nurses file alone, while travelers and complex cases sometimes use an agency or licensing service. Here is how that choice breaks down.
Pros of filing on your own:
- You save money, since you avoid service fees on top of the $40 or $75 application cost.
- You control timing and can submit the moment your documents are ready.
- You learn your own GOALS account, which you will use for every future renewal.
- The Georgia process is short and well documented, so most applicants finish without help.
- You avoid handing your Social Security number and ID to a third party.
Cons of filing on your own:
- You carry the full risk of a missed affidavit or wrong fingerprint timing.
- You must chase your school and Nursys verifications yourself.
- Complex criminal-history or reentry cases can overwhelm a first-time filer.
- International applicants face extra credentialing steps that are easy to miss.
- A single mistake can cost you weeks, while a service catches it up front.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I use the Examination or the Endorsement application as a brand-new graduate?
Yes if you have never held a nursing license anywhere, use Licensure by Examination; new graduates take this path so they can sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the legal name field?
No maiden name unless it is still your legal name; enter your current legal name as shown on your ID, and upload the court order or marriage certificate proving any change.
Do I have to disclose an old DUI or expunged charge on the application?
Yes, if the question asks about it you generally must disclose and explain; hiding it is falsification, which is worse than the offense itself.
Do I register for fingerprinting before or after I submit the application?
No, never before; register with GAPS/Idemia the same day you submit, because fingerprinting too early voids your background check.
Do I enter my Social Security number with dashes in that box?
No dashes; type all nine digits with no spaces or dashes, and check each digit twice to avoid a background-check freeze.
Do I need 500 practice hours to apply by endorsement?
Yes, Georgia expects 500 nursing practice hours in the past four years; if you fall short you may need a Board-approved refresher program.
Do I qualify for a multistate compact license if I live in another state?
No, a multistate license requires Georgia to be your primary state of residence; out-of-state residents must select single-state.
Do internationally-educated nurses use the same application as U.S. graduates?
No, they use a separate examination pathway that adds a CGFNS credential evaluation and English proficiency scores under Rule 410-2-.03.
Do I get a temporary license while my application is reviewed?
No for endorsement applicants; only new graduate exam applicants with a complete file may receive an interim permit before the NCLEX.
Do I upload my own transcript copy, or does the school send it?
No, your own copy does not count; the official transcript must be sent directly from your school to be accepted.
Do I pay the NCLEX exam fee on the same application?
No, the $200 NCLEX fee is paid separately to Pearson VUE after the Board issues your Authorization to Test.
Do I have to apply in person at the Macon office?
No, walk-in applications are not accepted; nearly everything is done online through the GOALS portal, with mail used only for limited paper packets.
Do I need to list a license I let expire years ago?
Yes, list every license you have ever held, even lapsed ones, because the Board finds them and undisclosed gaps look like concealment.
Do my fingerprints from another job count for this application?
No, the Board requires a fresh GAPS/Idemia submission tied to this application; prints from another agency are not accepted.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the North Carolina Board of Nursing RN License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Board of Nursing APRN Authorization + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Georgia Board of Nursing LPN License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors (LPC) Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Georgia Composite Medical Board PA License Application (+ FAQs)
- How to Fill Out the Georgia State Board of Accountancy CPA License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Medical License Application (MD) (w/Examples) + FAQs