The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is the state agency that licenses and regulates nurses in Texas. It was created in 1909, and its job is public protection: it approves nursing education programs, issues and renews licenses, and investigates complaints against nurses. If you want to practice as an RN, LVN, or APRN in Texas, you go through the BON. One thing to clear up right away, because it trips up a lot of people: the BON does not certify nurse aides. CNAs in Texas are handled by Texas Health and Human Services, not the Board of Nursing. Here’s what the BON does, how to get licensed, and how renewal works.
What the Texas Board of Nursing Does
The BON’s work falls into four areas. It approves nursing education programs in Texas and sets the minimum standards those programs must meet. It licenses qualified graduates by examination and nurses from other states by endorsement. It enforces the Nursing Practice Act and the Board’s rules by investigating complaints and disciplining nurses who violate them. And it informs the public and licensees through position statements, rules, and practice guidelines published on its website.
Who the Texas BON Licenses (and Who It Doesn’t)
The Board licenses three groups: Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Note the Texas terminology: what most states call an LPN, Texas calls an LVN. The APRN category covers nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives.
The Board does not certify nurse aides. The Texas Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), with testing administered through Prometric. HHSC also investigates complaints against CNAs. If you’re pursuing CNA certification in Texas, the Board of Nursing is the wrong agency; go to HHSC.
How to Get a Texas Nursing License
There are two main routes. Licensure by examination is for new graduates getting their first US license. Licensure by endorsement is for nurses already licensed in another US state who want a Texas license.
For licensure by exam, you complete a nursing program approved by the Board, apply through the Texas Nurse Portal, and pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN. The NCLEX is developed by the NCSBN and delivered at Pearson VUE test centers, so you register for the exam through Pearson VUE, not through the Board.
Every applicant for initial Texas licensure must also complete a criminal background check based on fingerprints, submitted through IdentoGo. This has been required for RN applicants since September 1, 2003, and for LVN applicants since September 1, 2005. Start the fingerprint process roughly ten business days after you submit your application to the Board, so the records line up.
Texas and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Texas is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). That matters in both directions. If you hold an active multistate license from another compact state and Texas isn’t your primary state of residence, you can practice in Texas without applying for a separate Texas license. If Texas is your primary state of residence and you qualify, your Texas license can be issued as a multistate license, letting you practice in other compact states. Your primary state of residence determines which board issues your multistate license.
How to Renew a Texas Nursing License
Texas nursing licenses renew every two years. You renew through the Texas Nurse Portal, complete your continuing education, and pay the fee. Renew before your expiration date, because practicing on an expired license is a violation, and late renewal costs considerably more (running roughly $128 to $188 depending on how long the license has lapsed).
Renewal fees
| License type | Timely renewal fee (every 2 years) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $68 |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $45 |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) | $54 |
| APRN + RN together | $129 |
Fees change from time to time. Confirm the current amount on the Board’s fee schedule before you pay.
Continuing education requirements
The baseline is 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education in your area of practice each two-year renewal period. On top of that, Texas layers in several targeted requirements. You need 2 hours in nursing jurisprudence and ethics every third renewal. You need a one-time human trafficking prevention course approved by HHSC. If you work with older adults, you need geriatric-focused hours. And if you perform sexual assault forensic exams, you need forensic evidence collection training. Nurses can also satisfy the requirement by holding or achieving national certification in their practice area.
New for 2026: CE certificates must be uploaded
This one is worth knowing about now. Under Senate Bill 912, starting September 1, 2026, nurses must upload their continuing education completion certificates to the Texas Nurse Portal before a license will renew. Previously CE was self-attested and only verified if you were audited. Keep your certificates, because you’ll be uploading them rather than just checking a box.
Texas Board of Nursing Contact
The Board’s office is at 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200, Austin, Texas 78701. Business hours for licensing, renewal, endorsement, and continuing education questions run 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The official website is bon.texas.gov, where you’ll also find license verification, the Nursing Practice Act, board rules, and position statements.
Texas Board of Nursing FAQs
Does the Texas Board of Nursing license CNAs?
No. The Board licenses RNs, LVNs, and APRNs only. Nurse aide certification in Texas is handled by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission through the Nurse Aide Registry, with testing through Prometric.
How often do Texas nursing licenses renew?
Every two years, through the Texas Nurse Portal. You must complete your continuing education and pay the renewal fee before the expiration date.
How much does it cost to renew a Texas RN license?
$68 for a timely RN renewal. Late renewal runs roughly $128 to $188 depending on how long the license has been expired. Confirm current fees on the Board’s website.
How many CE hours do Texas nurses need?
20 contact hours per two-year renewal period in your practice area, plus 2 hours of nursing jurisprudence and ethics every third renewal and a one-time human trafficking prevention course. Additional hours apply for geriatric practice and forensic exam work.
Is Texas a compact state for nursing?
Yes. Texas is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license from another compact state lets you practice in Texas, and Texas residents who qualify can hold a multistate license.
What is changing for Texas nurse license renewal in 2026?
Starting September 1, 2026, Senate Bill 912 requires nurses to upload their CE completion certificates to the Texas Nurse Portal before the license can renew, replacing simple self-attestation.
See Also
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