Graduate Nursing Licensure Requirements by State

Students, including prospective students, should review state licensure requirements for licensure as a nurse prior to applying to or enrolling in any of Regis College’s programs. Completion of a Regis College program does not guarantee eligibility for state licensure or receipt of a license.

An indication is provided below regarding whether Regis College’s program meets a state’s licensure requirements, does not meet a state’s licensure requirements, or if Regis College has not yet made a determination whether such program meets a state’s licensure requirements.

For states in which Regis College has not yet made a determination whether such program meets a state’s licensure requirements, please contact the state agencies listed in the table below.

Please be advised that you should determine whether the program will meet your state’s licensure requirements prior to enrolling in such program. This document is for information purposes only and cannot be relied upon as an official listing of state licensure requirements.

StateDoes the Program Meet the Educational Requirements?Licensure RequirementsWebsite
AlabamaYes
  1. RN in Alabama
  2. Master’s degree or higher in nursing
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Alabama Board of Nursing
AlaskaYes
  1. RN in Alaska
  2. Master’s degree or higher in nursing
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Alaska Board of Nursing
ArizonaYes
  1. RN in Arizona or multistate license
  2. Master’s degree or higher in nursing
    The Arizona Board of Nursing (AZ BON) has approved Regis College’s online Nursing programs. Regis College submitted a full self-study to the AZ BON and Regis’ online Nurse Practitioner faculty teaching Arizona students have secured Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) certification in Arizona.
    Consequently, Regis College is in full compliance with the AZ BON regulations related to its APRN program. Based on prior non-compliance issues that Regis has corrected, the AZ BON has censured the Regis APRN program from March 2019 to March 2024. This censure does not affect Regis' ability to offer the APRN program in Arizona or affect students' ability to sit for the licensure examination.
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Arizona State Board of Nursing
ArkansasYes
  1. RN license in Arkansas or compact state
  2. Master’s degree or higher in nursing
  3. A minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in direct clinical practice during the program.
  4. Criminal background check
  5. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
CaliforniaYes
  1. Unencumbered current CA RN license Master's degree in specialty area
  2. Successful completion of certification exam in specialty area:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
California Board of Registered Nursing
ColoradoYes
  1. Unencumbered current CO RN license Master's degree in specialty area
  2. Successful completion of certification exam in specialty area:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Colorado Board of Nursing
ConnecticutYes
  1. Unencumbered current CT RN license Master's degree in specialty area
  2. Successful completion of certification exam in specialty area:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing
DelawareYes
  1. Hold an active RN license either in Delaware or a compact state
  2. Master’s degree in nursing - graduate from specialty program within last two years
  3. To practice as an APRN in Delaware you must have a collaborative agreement only if you have practiced as an APRN less than two years or fewer than 4,000 hours. If you are required to have a collaborative agreement, you are not allowed to start practicing as an APRN in Delaware until your APRN license has been issued
  4. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) License
District of ColumbiaYes
  1. RN license in Washington, D.C.
  2. Master’s degree or higher in nursing
  3. Passport photos
  4. Criminal background check
  5. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
DC Health
FloridaYes
  1. Unencumbered current FL RN License Master's degree in specialty area
  2. Successful completion of certification exam:
    • ANCC,
    • NCC,
    • NBPNP
  3. Proof of Malpractice insurance Electronic Fingerprinting
Florida Board of Nursing
GeorgiaYes
  1. Must hold a Georgia state RN license
  2. Master’s degree with transcript showing advanced pharmacology, physical assessment and pathophysiology Must submit a paper application
  3. Submit proof of US citizenship status (driver’s license or passport)
  4. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • AANP
    • PNCB
Georgia Board of Nursing
HawaiiYes
  1. RN license in Hawaii
  2. Master’s degree or higher in nursing
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
IdahoYes
  1. RN license in Idaho
  2. Master’s degree or higher in nursing
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
State of Idaho Board of Nursing
IllinoisYes
  1. An applicant for licensure as an advanced practice nurse shall file an application on forms provided by the Division. The application shall include: Current Illinois registered professional nurse license number.
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Proof of current national certification from one of the following:
    • AANP
    • ANCC (CNS)
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Illinois Nursing Workforce Center
IndianaYes
  1. Current Indiana RN license or compact state license
  2. Successful completion of graduate program – submit transcripts Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Indiana State Board of Nursing
IowaYes
  1. RN license in Iowa
  2. Master’s degree or higher in nursing
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Iowa Board of Nursing
KansasYes
  1. Hold a current RN license in Kansas Master's degree
  2. Confirmed that 500 hours are needed for each clinical track – per KS BON 11/22/16
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Kansas Board of Nursing
KentuckyYes
  1. Current RN license in Kentucky or compact state
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Fingerprint card and national background check Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Kentucky Board of Nursing​
LouisianaNoRegis is not authorized to enroll students from Louisiana in our nursing programs. Only students who complete Regis' program and clinical placements entirely outside of Louisiana (in another state) may apply for licensure after graduation. Please contact the Louisiana Board of Nursing with questions.Louisiana Center for Nursing
MaineYes
  1. Unencumbered current Maine RN license or compact license Master's degree in area of specialization
  2. Successfully complete certification within five years of graduation:
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
    • AANP
  3. 45 hours of Pharmacology
Maine State Board of Nursing
MarylandYes
  1. RN license in Maryland or compact state
  2. Master’s degree – sealed official transcripts required
  3. Copy of current national certification OR letter of eligibility to take the certification exam:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PNCB
  4. Effective October 1, 2015: If you have never been certified in Maryland or any other state you are required to have a Mentor for 18 months from the date of application. Your Mentor must be a Maryland licensed Nurse Practitioner or Physician with a license in good standing.
Maryland Board of Nursing
MassachusettsYes
  1. Unencumbered current MA RN License Master's degree in specialty area
  2. Good Moral Character form
  3. Completion of Advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology
  4. Successful completion of certification exam:
    • AANC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
MichiganYes
  1. Good moral character
  2. Holds a current Michigan RN license Successful completion of certification exam:
    • AANC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Michigan Nursing Professional Licensing
MississippiYes
  1. Current RN in Mississippi
  2. Graduated from a nationally approved school of nursing with a Master’s degree or higher;
  3. Taken and passed a national certification exam in the specialty area of practice:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PNCB
  4. Completed a 720 hours residency that was monitored by either a licensed physician or certified APRN and evidence of this must be submitted to the Board of Nursing and accepted in order to begin unmonitored practice and be eligible to apply for controlled substance privilege;
Mississippi Board of Nursing
MissouriYes
  1. Current RN license in Missouri or compact state
  2. Master’s degree
  3. National certification in area of specialty from:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PNCB
  4. Notarized application
Missouri Board of Nursing
MontanaYes
  1. Current Montana RN license, or a compact state
  2. Official transcript, with degree awarded and date degree was conferred, is sent from the advanced nursing educational program directly to the Montana Board of Nursing
  3. Evidence of preceptorship is sent from the educational institution directly to the Montana Board of Nursing
  4. National certification in the APRN role and population focus:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
  5. Fingerprint and background check
Montana Board of Nursing
MinnesotaYes
  1. Have a current Minnesota Registered Nurse (RN) license or eligibility for licensure
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Current certification by a national certifying body:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Minnesota Board of Nursing
NebraskaYes
  1. Current RN in Nebraska or compact state
  2. Master’s degree
  3. National certification in area of specialty:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PNCB
Nurse Licensing
NevadaYes
  1. Active RN license in NV
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
    • AANP
Nevada State Board of Nursing
New HampshireYes
  1. Hold a current and unencumbered RN license issued by the NH board or a multi- state license issued by another compact state
  2. Master's degree in area of specialization Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
New Hampshire Board of Nursing
New JerseyYes
  1. Hold a current and unencumbered RN license issued;
  2. Master's degree in area of specialization Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
New Jersey Board of Nursing
New MexicoYes
  1. Hold a current and unencumbered RN license in NM or hold a compact-multi-state RN license; Master's degree
  2. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New YorkNoRegis is not authorized to enroll students from New York in our nursing program. Only students who complete Regis' program and clinical placements entirely outside of New York (in another state) may apply for licensure after graduation. Please contact the NY Board of Nursing with questions.New York Office of the Professions: Nursing
North CarolinaYes
  1. Master’s degree or higher
  2. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
North Carolina Board of Nursing
North DakotaYes
  1. Active RN license in ND or compact state
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
  4. Criminal background check
North Dakota Board of Nursing
OhioYes
  1. RN license in Ohio
  2. Master’s degree – transcripts required Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Ohio Board of Nursing
OklahomaYes
  1. RN license in Oklahoma
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
  4. Submit a written statement from an Oklahoma licensed physician supervising prescriptive authority as required by the Board in its rules;
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
OregonNoRegis is not authorized to enroll students from Oregon in our nursing program. Only students who complete Regis' program and clinical placements entirely outside of Oregon (in another state) may apply for licensure after graduation. Please contact the Oregon Board of Nursing with questions.Oregon State Board of Nursing
PennsylvaniaYes
  1. Active RN license in Pennsylvania
  2. Master’s degree – transcripts required Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Pennsylvania Department of State: Professional Licensing
Rhode IslandYes
  1. Hold a current and unencumbered RN license issued by the RI board or a multi- state license issued by another compact state;
  2. Master's degree in area of specialization Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Rhode Island Department of Health: Licensing
South CarolinaYes
  1. RN license in SC
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Holds current specialty certification by a board-approved credentialing organization:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South DakotaYes
  1. RN license in SD or compact state
  2. Master’s Degree – with transcripts
  3. Certified background check with fingerprints Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
South Dakota Board of Nursing
TennesseeNoRegis is not authorized to enroll students from Tennessee in our nursing program. Only students who complete Regis' program and clinical placements entirely outside of Tennessee (in another state) may apply for licensure after graduation. Please contact the TN Board of Nursing with questions.Board of Nursing
TexasYes
  1. RN license in Texas or have a current valid RN license with multistate privilege
  2. Master’s degree or higher
  3. Minimum of 500 separate, non-duplicated clinical hours for each advanced role and specialty within the advanced educational program.
  4. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Texas Board of Nursing
UtahYes
  1. Hold a current and unencumbered RN license issued by the board or a multi-state license issued by another compact state;
  2. Master's degree in area of specialization
  3. Successfully complete certification through a national certifying agency If not successful within five years need to repeat a new program:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
  4. Psych – 1000 clinical hours required
  5. Need 3000 hours within five years of graduation
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing: Nursing
VermontYes
  1. Unencumbered current VT RN license Master's degree in area of specialization
  2. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Vermont State Board of Nursing
VirginiaYes
  1. Hold a current, active license as a RN in Virginia or hold a current multistate licensure privilege as a registered nurse;
  2. Graduate degree in nursing or in the appropriate nurse practitioner specialty from an educational program designed to prepare nurse practitioners that is an approved program.
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
Virginia Board of Nursing
WashingtonYes
  1. Unencumbered current Washington RN license Master's degree in specialty area
  2. Official transcripts from institution where graduate degree obtained Successful completion of certification exam in specialty area:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
  3. Regis College is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of
    Washington for the MSN, DNP, and Post Master’s Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs.
Nursing Commission
West VirginiaYes
  1. Hold a current, active license as RN in West Virginia or hold a current multistate licensure privilege as a registered nurse;
  2. Graduate degree in nursing or in the appropriate nurse practitioner specialty from an educational program designed to prepare nurse practitioners that is an approved program
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
West Virginia RN Board
WisconsinYes
  1. RN license in Wisconsin or compact state
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • AANP
    • ANCC
    • PNCB
    • NCC
  4. Passes a Jurisprudence Exam
Wisconsin Board of Nursing
WyomingYes
  1. RN license in Wyoming or compact state
  2. Master’s degree
  3. Certification through a national certifying agency:
    • ANCC
    • AANP
    • NCC
    • PCNB Fingerprints
Wyoming State Board of Nursing