The Virginia RN license application is the form you submit to the Virginia Board of Nursing to become a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth. You file it through the online DHP licensing portal so the Board can confirm your education, run a criminal background check, and clear you to practice. Both new graduates applying by examination and nurses moving from other states applying by endorsement use this process.
Getting one box wrong can cost you weeks of waiting at a time when you may already have a job offer on the line. The Board says complete, fully documented applications take about 30 business days, roughly six weeks, to process from the date your fee posts, and incomplete files sit in limbo until you fix them, per the examination instructions revised 7/1/2023.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every field on the Virginia RN application without triggering a hold
- 🔍 The exact documents, fees, and ID numbers to gather before you log in
- 🧑⚕️ Three full walkthroughs for a new grad, an out-of-state nurse, and a foreign-educated nurse
- ⏱️ How to file, what each channel costs, and how long approval really takes
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that delay or sink applications and how to dodge them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Virginia RN license application is the Board of Nursing’s official request for licensure. It comes in two versions: the Application for Licensure by Examination for people who have not yet passed the NCLEX-RN, and the Application for Licensure by Endorsement for nurses already licensed in another U.S. state or territory. The Board uses your answers to decide whether you may sit for the NCLEX, hold a single-state Virginia license, or hold a multi-state compact license.
You must file if your Primary State of Residence (PSOR) is Virginia or a non-compact state and you want to practice as an RN here. PSOR is defined by the Nurse Licensure Compact as your fixed, permanent, principal home for legal purposes. Virginia is a compact state, so if your PSOR is another compact state, you apply in that home state instead, not in Virginia.
The form ties together five things: its purpose (proving you are safe and qualified to practice), the agency that receives it (the Virginia Board of Nursing, part of the Department of Health Professions), the statute that powers the background check (Virginia Code § 54.1-3005.1), the rules that govern eligibility (18 VAC 90-19), and the penalty for getting it wrong, which is denial, delay, or practicing without a license. Each piece depends on the others. The Board cannot issue a license until the statute-required fingerprint check clears, and it cannot clear the check until your application is on file.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the portal. The application stays on file for only one year, and if it is not completed in that window you must reapply and pay again, so you want the file done in one clean sweep.
Here is your pre-filing checklist:
- Full legal name as it appears on your school records. The Board matches your application name against your transcript, so a mismatch stalls the file.
- Social Security Number. Virginia uses it to run the background check and tax compliance review; applying without one limits you to a single-state license.
- Current mailing and physical address. Your PSOR determines whether you get a compact or single-state license, so this drives your privileges.
- Date of birth and contact email. The Board and Pearson VUE send time-sensitive notices here; a typo means missed deadlines.
- Nursing program name, location, and graduation date. This routes your transcript or Attestation correctly and confirms your 500 clinical hours.
- Credit or debit card for the $190 fee. Your application is not reviewed until the fee posts, so no card means no progress.
- Government-issued photo ID. You need it for fingerprinting and for the NCLEX, and the name must match your application exactly.
- Court documents for any criminal history. Missing records freeze the background check, and the Board cannot license you until the unit reviews them.
- Credential evaluation (foreign-educated only). Graduates of foreign programs must submit a Board-approved evaluation, and skipping it blocks eligibility entirely.
- Prior license details (endorsement only). You need the state, license number, and issue date so the Board can verify you through Nursys.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You do not download and print this form in most cases. You complete it inside the DHP Online Licensing Services portal, which walks you through the exact same fields the paper version contains. First-time users create an account with an email and password, then select Nursing, then the RN Examination or RN Endorsement application type.
The Board’s Apply for a License page hosts an Application Wizard that confirms which path fits your situation before you start. If you cannot apply online, for example because you have no SSN and need a single-state license, you may request the paper packet, which includes the same examination instruction checklist you must sign and return.
Always confirm you have the current version. The examination instructions carry a Revised: 7/1/2023 date at the bottom, and the Board updates forms without notice, so an old packet can list outdated fees or email addresses. Reading the wrong revision is a common reason applicants send transcripts to a dead inbox.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Virginia RN Application Line by Line
Work through the screens in order. Each field below uses the exact label the form and portal display, with a worked example, an edge case, the most common mistake, and the misconception people carry into it.
1. Application Type: Examination or Endorsement
The form first asks which path you are on. You pick Licensure by Examination if you have not yet passed the NCLEX-RN, or Licensure by Endorsement if you already hold an active RN license elsewhere.
Choose based on your status today, not your future plans. Maria Lopez, a new graduate of a Richmond nursing program, selects Examination because she has not tested yet. If you hold a license in another state but it has lapsed and you never passed the NCLEX, you still belong on the examination path. The most common mistake here is an endorsement applicant who picks examination by habit and ends up paying a second fee to switch, since fees are nonrefundable. A frequent misconception is that endorsement is faster than examination; both run the same roughly six-week review once your file is complete.
2. Full Legal Name
This field asks for your legal name exactly as it appears on your nursing school transcript and your Social Security card. Type it in the order requested: last name, first name, middle name, and any suffix.
Enter it in mixed case unless the portal forces capitals, and do not use nicknames. Maria writes Lopez, Maria Elena, not “Mary” or “M.E. Lopez.” If you changed your name since graduating, list the name on your transcript and upload your marriage certificate or court order to bridge the two. The most common mistake is using a married name that does not match school records, which triggers a hold because the Board cannot link your transcript to your file. People wrongly believe the Board will “figure out” a small spelling difference; it will not, and the system flags the mismatch automatically.
3. Social Security Number
The form asks for your nine-digit SSN. Type it without dashes or spaces if the portal does not auto-format it.
Enter it carefully and double-check every digit. Maria types 123456789, then verifies it against her card. If you do not have an SSN but otherwise meet Virginia’s requirements, you may still be eligible for a single-state license and must apply by mail with a written explanation. The most common mistake is a transposed digit, which causes the fingerprint check and tax compliance review to fail and quietly stalls your file. A widespread misconception is that the SSN is optional for everyone; it is required for online filing and for any multi-state compact privilege.
4. Primary State of Residence (PSOR)
This field asks you to declare your fixed, permanent, principal home for legal purposes. You select one state from the menu.
Answer with your true domicile, not where you happen to be working or studying. Maria selects Virginia because her permanent home and driver’s license are in Henrico. If your PSOR is another compact state, stop, because you must apply in that home state, not in Virginia. The most common mistake is declaring Virginia while your real domicile is a different compact state, which can void your multi-state privilege later. Many applicants wrongly think PSOR means their job location; the compact rules define it as your legal home address.
5. Mailing and Physical Address
The form asks for both the address where you receive mail and your physical residence. Enter street, city, state, and ZIP for each.
Use a deliverable address you check often. Maria enters 4501 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060 for both. If you use a P.O. Box for mail, you must still provide a physical street address, because the Board ties residency to a real location. The most common mistake is listing only a P.O. Box, which the system rejects for the physical field. People assume the Board mails a paper wall certificate; today most license confirmation is electronic and posted in real time on the License Lookup tool.
6. Date of Birth and Contact Information
This section asks for your birth date, phone number, and email. Enter the date in the format the portal shows, usually MM/DD/YYYY.
Provide an email you monitor daily. Maria enters 05/22/2001 and her personal Gmail address. If you share an email with a spouse, switch to a private one, because Pearson VUE sends your Authorization to Test (ATT) here and you do not want it buried. The most common mistake is a typo in the email, which means you never see your ATT and miss your testing window. A common misconception is that the Board calls you with updates; it relies on email and your portal checklist, so silence usually means “check your file.”
7. Nursing Education
The form asks for your nursing program’s name, location, and your graduation or expected completion date. Select your school from the list when it appears.
Match the legal name of the program, not a campus nickname. Maria selects “J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College” and enters her graduation date of 05/15/2026. If your school is outside Virginia, your final official transcript must show the actual direct client-care clinical hours broken down by course on official letterhead. The most common mistake is choosing the wrong campus or program version, which misroutes the transcript match. Many believe any clinical time counts; RN applicants must show at least 500 direct client care hours across the lifespan under the Board’s instructions.
8. Transcript or Attestation Routing
This part confirms how your proof of graduation reaches the Board. Virginia programs may send an Attestation letter directly; out-of-state and foreign programs send a final official transcript.
Confirm with your program director which one your school sends. Because Reynolds sends Attestations, Maria does NOT request a transcript and checks the Attestation box. If your school sends an Attestation, requesting a transcript too can create confusion and duplicate records. The most common mistake is the student ordering a transcript when the school already sends an Attestation, or vice versa, leaving the file with no accepted proof. People wrongly think they can email their own transcript; the Board only accepts it directly from the school at transcriptbyexam@dhp.virginia.gov with the applicant’s name and “Official Transcript” in the subject line.
9. Criminal Background and Conviction Questions
The form asks whether you have been convicted of any crime or had disciplinary action against a professional license. You answer yes or no and explain each yes.
Answer honestly and attach court documents for every yes. Marcus Bell, an applicant with one old misdemeanor, answers Yes and notes the case number. If you have a sealed or expunged record, disclose it anyway when the question covers it, because nondisclosure is worse than the underlying offense. The most common mistake is hiding a minor charge, which the fingerprint check uncovers and which can lead to denial for dishonesty. Many wrongly believe one old conviction automatically bars licensure; the Board reviews each case, but only if you disclose and submit records to VDHPCBCUnit@dhp.virginia.gov.
10. Fingerprint-Based Criminal Background Check (CBC)
This step, required by Virginia Code § 54.1-3005.1, directs you to register for fingerprinting through Fieldprint Virginia. You cannot register until after you submit your application.
After you submit, the portal shows a VBON Fieldprint Code at the top of your checklist and on your confirmation receipt; use it to register. Maria copies her Fieldprint Code, books an appointment, and pays about $35.95 in-state. If you live out of state, expect a slightly higher fee, around $38.95, and a card-based option. The most common mistake is trying to schedule fingerprints before applying, which the system blocks because no code exists yet. People assume old fingerprints from a past job transfer; they do not, and you must complete a fresh CBC for this license.
11. Pearson VUE NCLEX Registration (Examination Path)
Examination applicants must complete a separate registration with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN. This is not part of the Board application and carries its own $200 fee.
Register immediately after you submit your Board application. Maria registers at pearsonvue.com/nclex the same afternoon she files with the Board. If you register before the Board has your file, your Authorization to Test (ATT) can be delayed because the Board must declare you eligible first. The most common mistake is skipping Pearson VUE entirely and assuming the Board signs you up; it does not. A common misconception is that the $190 Board fee covers the exam; the NCLEX fee is separate and paid to Pearson VUE.
12. Endorsement Verification (Endorsement Path)
Endorsement applicants must verify their existing license. The form asks for your current state, license number, and issue date so the Board can confirm it through Nursys.
Enter your license number exactly as printed on your current license. Janet Pierce, an RN moving from Ohio, enters her Ohio license number and requests Nursys verification. If your original state does not participate in Nursys, you must request paper verification sent directly from that state board. The most common mistake is a wrong license number, which makes the Nursys match fail and stalls the file. Many think the Board automatically pulls their record nationwide; you must trigger the verification yourself.
13. Application Fee Payment
The final field is payment. Online applicants pay the $190 RN application fee by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover).
Pay in full at submission, because review does not begin until the fee posts. Maria pays $190 by debit card and saves the receipt. If you must apply by mail, send a check or money order payable to the Treasurer of Virginia instead. The most common mistake is closing the browser before the payment confirms, leaving an unpaid application that never enters review. A frequent misconception is that the fee is refundable if you change your mind; per the Board fee schedule, all fees are nonrefundable.
14. Signature and Attestation
The last screen asks you to attest that your answers are true and to electronically sign. You type your name or click to certify.
Sign only after reviewing every answer, because the attestation is a legal statement. Maria reviews her name, SSN, and PSOR, then signs Maria Elena Lopez. If you spot an error after signing, contact the Board promptly rather than filing a second application. The most common mistake is signing without checking the SSN and name fields, locking in errors that cause holds. People wrongly think an electronic signature is less binding than ink; it carries the same legal weight, and a false attestation can lead to denial.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three named applicants walked through the form from start to finish.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Virginia new graduate (Examination)
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Examination |
| Full Legal Name | Lopez, Maria Elena |
| Social Security Number | 123-45-6789 (no dashes online) |
| Primary State of Residence | Virginia |
| Mailing/Physical Address | 4501 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060 |
| Nursing Education | J. Sargeant Reynolds CC, grad 05/15/2026 |
| Transcript or Attestation | Attestation (school sends directly) |
| Background Question | No convictions |
| Fingerprinting | Fieldprint code used, $35.95 paid |
| NCLEX Registration | Pearson VUE, $200 paid same day |
| Fee | $190 by debit card |
Scenario 2: Janet Pierce, out-of-state RN (Endorsement)
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Endorsement |
| Full Legal Name | Pierce, Janet Marie |
| Social Security Number | 987-65-4321 |
| Primary State of Residence | Virginia (moved from a non-compact status) |
| Mailing/Physical Address | 200 Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 |
| Current License | Ohio RN #123456, issued 06/2015 |
| Verification Method | Nursys verification requested |
| Background Question | No convictions |
| Fingerprinting | Fieldprint code used, $35.95 paid |
| Authorization to Practice | ATP letter requested to start work |
| Fee | $190 by credit card |
Scenario 3: Amara Okafor, foreign-educated nurse (Examination)
| Form Section | What Amara Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Examination |
| Full Legal Name | Okafor, Amara Ngozi |
| Social Security Number | Applied for SSN; single-state route if none |
| Primary State of Residence | Virginia |
| Mailing/Physical Address | 15 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 |
| Nursing Education | University of Lagos, Nigeria, grad 2019 |
| Credential Evaluation | CGFNS evaluation submitted |
| English Proficiency | TOEFL score report submitted |
| Transcript | Final official transcript with clinical hours |
| Fingerprinting | Fieldprint code used, out-of-state $38.95 |
| Fee | $190 by credit card |
How to File the Completed Form
Virginia offers two channels, with online strongly preferred for almost every applicant.
Online (recommended): File through the DHP Online Licensing portal. The fee is $190, paid by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Processing runs about 30 business days from the date your fee posts. Keep your confirmation receipt, which holds your Fieldprint Code, as your proof of filing.
By mail (limited cases): Use this only if you cannot file online, such as applying without an SSN for a single-state license. Mail the signed instruction checklist and application with a check or money order payable to the Treasurer of Virginia for $190 to the Virginia Board of Nursing, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233. Send it with tracking and keep the receipt as proof of filing. Mailed files take longer because staff must enter them by hand.
For both channels, supporting documents move separately. Schools email or mail transcripts to transcriptbyexam@dhp.virginia.gov, and court records go to VDHPCBCUnit@dhp.virginia.gov. Fingerprinting is booked at Fieldprint Virginia for about $35.95 in-state, and the NCLEX is registered separately with Pearson VUE for $200.
What Happens After You File
Once your fee posts, your application enters review, and the Board checks each item against its regulations. Log into your portal often, because an “unchecked” item may already be received but pending review, and the application status page confirms complete files take about 30 business days.
For examination applicants, once your transcript or Attestation arrives and you are declared eligible, Pearson VUE issues your Authorization to Test (ATT) and you schedule the NCLEX. After testing, you can view unofficial results through Quick Results, and the Board posts your license in real time on the License Lookup tool.
Endorsement applicants who meet requirements may request an Authorization to Practice (ATP) letter, which lets you work while the file finishes. Your application stays on file for one year; if it is not completed in that window, you must submit a new application and a new fee.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using a name that does not match your transcript, which freezes the transcript match.
- Transposing a digit in your SSN, which fails the background and tax checks.
- Declaring Virginia as your PSOR when your real home is another compact state, which can void multi-state privilege.
- Listing only a P.O. Box, which the system rejects for the physical address field.
- Trying to book fingerprints before submitting the application, which is blocked because no Fieldprint Code exists yet.
- Skipping the separate Pearson VUE registration, which means you never receive an ATT.
- Registering with Pearson VUE before the Board has your file, which delays your ATT.
- Ordering a transcript when your school sends an Attestation, leaving duplicate or conflicting records.
- Emailing your own transcript, which the Board rejects because it must come from the school.
- Hiding a minor conviction, which the fingerprint check uncovers and which can cause denial for dishonesty.
- Entering a wrong out-of-state license number, which makes the Nursys verification fail.
- Closing the browser before payment confirms, leaving an unreviewed, unpaid application.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do match your name exactly to your transcript so the Board can link your records.
- Do confirm with your program whether it sends an Attestation or a transcript before you apply.
- Do submit your application first, then register for fingerprinting using your Fieldprint Code.
- Do register with Pearson VUE the same day you file, so your ATT is not delayed.
- Do disclose any conviction and send court records, because honesty protects your application.
- Do save your confirmation receipt as proof of filing and your Fieldprint Code.
Don’t:
- Don’t assume the $190 fee covers the NCLEX; the $200 exam fee is separate.
- Don’t use a shared email, since you risk missing your time-sensitive ATT.
- Don’t declare a PSOR based on your job location instead of your legal home.
- Don’t expect a refund if you change your mind, because all fees are nonrefundable.
- Don’t let the application sit past one year, or you must reapply and pay again.
- Don’t email transcripts yourself; only the school’s direct submission is accepted.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Professional Help |
|---|---|
| Free beyond the standard fees, so you keep costs low | Costs extra, but a service or attorney catches errors before they cause holds |
| You control the timeline and can submit the moment you are ready | A helper may know shortcuts for foreign credential evaluation and conviction disclosure |
| You learn the system, which helps at renewal every two years | Useful if you have a complex history, like a past discipline or sealed record |
| Risk of a field error that triggers a multi-week hold | Reduces the risk of a denial for an avoidable mistake |
| No one double-checks your name, SSN, or PSOR entries | Adds a layer of review for high-stakes or unusual cases |
FAQs
Do I have to file in Virginia if I live in another compact state?
No. If your Primary State of Residence is another compact state, you apply for licensure in that home state, and your multi-state privilege then covers practice in Virginia.
Do I write my maiden name or married name on the application?
Yes, use whichever name matches your nursing transcript, and upload a marriage certificate or court order to bridge any name change so the records link.
Do I need a Social Security Number to apply?
Yes for online filing and any compact privilege; without one you may still qualify for a single-state license by applying through the mail packet.
Do I list my P.O. Box in the physical address field?
No, the physical address must be a real street location, though you may use a P.O. Box for the separate mailing address field.
Do I register for fingerprinting before or after I submit?
No, never before; you must submit the application first, then use the VBON Fieldprint Code shown on your receipt to register with Fieldprint Virginia.
Do I pay for the NCLEX through the Board application?
No, the NCLEX is a separate $200 registration with Pearson VUE, paid on top of the $190 Board application fee.
Do I count any clinical time toward the hours requirement?
No, only direct client care hours count, and RN applicants need at least 500 across the lifespan, documented by course for out-of-state schools.
Do I have to disclose an old, expunged conviction?
Yes, if the question covers it, because the fingerprint check finds it and nondisclosure can lead to denial for dishonesty.
Do I send my own transcript to the Board?
No, the Board accepts transcripts only directly from your school, sent to the transcript email with your name and “Official Transcript” in the subject line.
Do I need a credential evaluation if I trained abroad?
Yes, foreign-educated examination applicants must submit a Board-approved credential evaluation, such as a CGFNS report, before they can be declared eligible.
Do I get to work while my endorsement application is pending?
Yes, eligible endorsement applicants may request an Authorization to Practice letter that lets them work while the file finishes processing.
Do incomplete applications stay on file forever?
No, the Board keeps an application for one year, and if it is not completed in that time you must submit a new application and a new fee.
Do I get a refund if I withdraw my application?
No, all Board of Nursing fees are nonrefundable once paid, whether you file online or by mail.
Do online and mailed applications take the same time?
No, online filing is faster because staff must hand-enter mailed applications, while both still target about 30 business days once the file is complete.
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