North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) – Overview
By offering care, treatment, counseling, and health education to various groups of people, registered nurses care for individuals, families, and the community.
This makes Nursing a respectable and noble profession. If you want to know about the North Carolina Board of Nursing, you are at the right place.
The nursing career is growing exponentially. A report shows that the nursing and residential care facilities in the USA will see an estimated revenue of $269,8 billion by 2024.
A Nursing program helps you in nursing practice and enables you to gain practical experience in various clinical settings. This allows you to see multiple locations before settling on your expertise.
However, you might wonder about the requirements, process, procedures, duration and fee. This article will answer the above questions and provide additional information to help you.
Considering the national demand for registered nurses, it’s the ideal time for people passionate about serving others to pursue a sustainable and meaningful nursing career.
What is the North Carolina Board of Nursing?
The North Carolina Board of Nursing sets the standards for nursing education programs for nurse licensure. These requirements guarantee that graduates are trained to practice nursing safely and effectively.
The Board of Nursing oversees pre-licensure nursing education programs, including the Licensed Practical Nurse, Associate Degree in Nursing, Registered Nurse Diploma, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®) is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Candidates are eligible to take the exam after completing a pre-licensure nursing education program.
Graduates of pre-licensure nursing education programs that have received board approval are assessed on their readiness for entry-level practice by the NCLEX exam.
North Carolina Board of Nursing’s Main Objective:
The Board is responsible for issuing, renewing, and reinstating nursing licenses for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. It also approves and monitors the state’s nursing education programs. Additional duties include interpreting nursing practice in the state based on the Nursing Practice Act.
Additionally, it is responsible for investigating complaints and taking appropriate actions against licensed nurses when necessary.
The specific time commitment for Board members can vary based on the requirements of their roles and responsibilities. Depending on Committee assignments and participation in other Board-related activities, additional time may be spent.
The NCBN disciplines and licenses include:
- Registered Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Nurse Aide II
- Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
How Can I Obtain a North Carolina Board of Nursing License?
Nurses holding an active nursing license in another state or US territory can apply for licensure by endorsement through the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON). First-time licensees would apply for licensure by examination. All license applications, renewals, and verifications are via NCBON’s Nurse Gateway portal.
North Carolina Board of Nursing Minimum Requirements
North Carolina requires all applications to be submitted online. The state utilizes a Nurse Gateway portal. You must first register on the portal to receive an access login.
LICENSURE BY EXAM
You must apply for licensure by exam if this is your first nursing license. The process for taking the NCLEX requires the following steps:
- Log in to the Nurse Gateway
- Register by creating a username and password (For the first time, you need to log in later).
- Select ”Exam Application” from the Licenses/Certificates dropdown menu.
- Submit a duly filled application with a fee of $75.
- Submit Your Electronic School Verification or Official Transcript Copies
- International Nursing Graduates must complete a Credentials Evaluation Service or provide a CGFNS Certificate or VisaScreen.
- Pay fees to Pearson Vue
For more information on licensing by exam, see the NCBON’s website.
LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT
Nurses with active licenses outside of compact states will have to apply for a state endorsement. This process requires the following:
- A completed online application
- A criminal background check. This fingerprint-based system verified by the State and Federal Bureaus of Investigation costs $38.00.
- Proof of completing a licensed nursing program
- Proof of passing the NCLEX
- Documentation of having met the continuing education requirements
- A license endorsement fee of $150.00
INACTIVE LICENSES
To be eligible for reinstatement of inactive licenses, Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- 15 hours of continued education and 640 hours of active practice in the previous two years
- Recertification by a National Certification Authority recognized by the Board or National Certification.
- 30 Contact Hours of continued education
- Continued education of fifteen contact hours and developing and conducting a continuing nursing education presentation or five contact hours of presentations, including course syllabus, program brochure, date and location of presentation, the approximate number of attendees, and objectives.
- Completion of a Board-Approved Refresher Course
- Completion of Two semester hours of nursing practice-related post-licensure academic education
- Continued education of fifteen contact hours and completion of a nursing project as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator to include a statement of the problem, methods, date of completion, project objectives, and summary of findings
North Carolina Board of Nursing License Renewal
RN and LPN license renewal periods and requirements can be verified by consulting the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Nurses must renew their licenses by the last day of their birth.
For the most current information on license renewal fees and continuing competence requirements, refer to the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Currently, license renewal in North Carolina takes thirty hours.
Licensing Fee Information
- Nurse Practitioner’s Registration fee= $25
- Initial Approval for Practicing= $100 for Non-Volunteers and $20 for Volunteers
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: Initial Recognition – $25
- Nurse Midwife Fee= $100
Continuing Education Requirements
The North Carolina Board of Nursing requires one of the following every two years:
- The board-recognized national certification body Recertification or National certification; or
- Thirty contact hours of continuing education activities or
- Completion of a Board approved refresher course; or
- Nursing practice-related post-licensure academic education two semester hours Completion; or
- Fifteen contact hours of continuing education activity and completion of a nursing project as principal or co-principal investigator to include a statement of the problem, project objectives, methods, and summary of findings or
- Continuing education activities and co-authoring or authoring a published nursing-related paper, article, book, or book chapter of fifteen contact hours or
- A minimum of five nursing education presentations for nurses or other health professionals, each of which must include a copy of the program’s brochure or course syllabus, as well as the program’s objectives, content, and instructional methods, as well as the presentation’s date and location; or fifteen contact hours of continuing education activities.
- 640 hours of active practice and 15 contact hours of continuing education within the previous two years
APRN-NPs must maintain national certification, including meeting continuing education requirements of 50 contact hours.
APRN-CNMs are required to maintain their national certification, which includes fulfilling the Certificate Maintenance Program’s requirement for 10 hours of continuing education each year.
5 Steps for renewing a North Carolina nursing license
- Verify license status
- Visit the Verification page to confirm your license.
- Complete nursing continuing education requirements within license validity
- Visit the North Carolina Board of Nursing site for renewal application submission
- Visit the Renewal Information page for specifics. North Carolina is a compact state. If your Primary State of Residency is in another compact state, do not apply for licensure in North Carolina unless you declare North Carolina your Primary State of Residency.
How Much Do Nurses in North Carolina Earn?
Working as a registered nurse in North Carolina is a fulfilling career choice that pays well and provides exceptional job stability. Compared to the national average, North Carolina’s mean average of annual income for registered nurses is $82,530. With growth predicted to reach 9% over the following five years, you can still look forward to a great career.
FAQs
How Can I Obtain a Nursing License in North Carolina
You can obtain a North Carolina nursing license by filling out an application on the North Carolina Board of Nursing’s official website and taking the necessary exam.
How much does it cost to renew a nursing license in North Carolina
You can renew a current North Carolina nursing license for an additional fee of $100.
How may my nursing license be transferred to North Carolina
For licensure by endorsement in North Carolina, nurses must meet specific requirements set by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, including verification of licensure in another state, a criminal background check, and other documentation as required by the Board. Both parties involved benefit from its simplicity.
What is the North Carolina Board of Nursing’s contact details
The following is the North Carolina Board of Nursing’s contact info:
Address: 4516 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: 919-782-3211, Fax: 919-781-9461
Summary
The information above should help you learn more about the North Carolina Board of Nursing, its procedures, how licenses are renewed, where it is located, how to contact it, etc.
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