- You can't practice without an active license from your state board of nursing, and that license has to be renewed on your state's schedule.
- Practice on an expired license and you risk suspension or probation, a fine, a misdemeanor charge, or a felony charge in states with enhanced penalties.
- Know four things cold: when your license expires, your state's renewal rules, the fee, and any required continuing education hours.
How to Renew Before It Expires
The simplest approach is to renew before the license expires. If you plan to stop practicing, you can ask your state board to make the license inactive. Once a license lapses, many states move it to inactive status, and depending on the rules you may owe an extra fee or have to complete a board-approved reentry or refresher program. The general steps:
1. Start Early
Check your state's requirements for continuing education (CE) credits or practice hours and gather your documentation. Confirm your license status and learn your board's renewal timetable. If your state needs six weeks to approve a renewal and you submit three weeks before expiration, you may be unable to work until it clears.
2. Complete CE or Practice Requirements
Some states set a specific number of CE hours; others require specific courses. Pennsylvania, for example, requires a child abuse CE for renewal. Some states add practice requirements. Delaware requires 1,000 practice hours in the past five years, 400 in the past two years, or a refresher course in the past two years. A few states have no requirement at all.
3. Check Your License Status
Look up your license through your board's website or state portal. Confirm it's active and that no infractions have been filed against it.
4. Complete the Application
Most states let you renew online if the license hasn't expired. Use the browser and device your state portal recommends, since some portals don't work well on phones or tablets. Have your legal information ready: Social Security number, legal address, license number, and date of birth.
5. Pay the Fee
Renewal fees vary by state and are listed on the board's site or portal. The cost may be higher if you let the license lapse.
What to Do if Your License Expires
If your license expires before you renew, you have options, but they vary by state and so do the consequences.
Grace Periods
Requirements differ depending on whether a license lapsed recently or has been expired for two, five, or more years. Many states offer a grace period. Michigan allows 60 days and Georgia allows 30, during which you can renew with a late fee and skip full relicensure. Each board sets its own terms.
Most states with a grace period let you renew online during it. Past the grace period, you usually have to submit extra documentation for relicensure, which can mean catching up on CE hours, taking a refresher course, or retaking the National Council Licensure Examination. Contact your board to confirm the steps.
Consequences of Working on an Expired License
An active license is the law. In most states, practicing without one is a misdemeanor, but states with enhanced penalties can charge a felony. A fine is the most common outcome, with the amount varying by state, and you may be suspended or placed on probation by your board. Depending on how long you practiced unlicensed, your employer may take disciplinary action too.
If you need income while a renewal is pending, some roles don't require an active nursing license. You can work as a medical assistant within that role's scope, and some hospitals let lapsed nurses do so until renewal clears. Other options include nurse educator, laboratory technician, health information technician, and clinical research associate.
5 Things to Know About Renewal
Know your expiration date. Licenses run anywhere from one to four years depending on the state. Get the exact date from your board and start the process 60 days out.
Know your state's rules. Renewal periods and late-renewal rules differ everywhere. Some states offer a grace period with a late fee; others demand extra documentation. Know which applies to you.
Know the CE requirements. Most states require CE hours with your renewal, completed through a board-recognized provider. States run random audits, so keep your CE certificates. Required retention runs from two to six years depending on the state.
Know when online renewal opens. Portals open 30 to 90 days before your deadline, depending on the state. Know your window so you can start early.
Know the cost. Renewal fees vary by state but usually run under $100, paid online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I have to renew my nursing license? It depends on your state. Renewal cycles run anywhere from one to four years, with two years being common. Get the exact expiration date from your state board and start about 60 days out.
What happens if I practice on an expired license? It is illegal in every state. Most treat it as a misdemeanor, but states with enhanced penalties can charge a felony. The most common outcome is a fine, and your board can suspend you or place you on probation. Your employer may also discipline you.
Can I still renew after my license expires? Often, yes. Many states offer a grace period (for example, Michigan allows 60 days and Georgia allows 30) where you renew with a late fee. Past the grace period you usually need extra documentation for relicensure, which can mean catching up on CE, a refresher course, or retaking the NCLEX.
Do I need continuing education to renew? In most states, yes. Requirements vary: some set a number of CE hours, some require specific courses (Pennsylvania, for example, requires child abuse recognition training), and some add practice hours. Delaware requires 1,000 practice hours in the past five years, 400 in the past two, or a refresher course. A few states have no CE requirement.
Can I work while my renewal is pending? Some roles do not require an active nursing license, such as medical assistant, nurse educator, health information technician, or clinical research associate. Confirm scope with your employer, and never perform nursing tasks that require an active license until the renewal clears.
Should I keep my CE certificates after renewing? Yes. States run random audits, so keep your CE certificates. Required retention runs from two to six years depending on the state.