Skip Navigation

Frequently Asked Questions about Licensing


I lost my license. How do I get another one? Is there a fee? How long will it take?

Starting September 1, 2008, the Texas Board of Nursing is no longer issuing paper licenses. In accordance, we will no longer issue duplicate licenses.


Where do I find information regarding Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs)?

CNAs are registered by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. You may contact them at: 512-438-2050 or 1-800-452-3934


How do I change my address?

It must be in writing and sent via email, letter or fax. Please provide the following:

  • Name;
  • Address;
  • License Number OR last four digits of your Social Security Number and Date of Birth.
  • Primary state of residence - the state of a person's declared fixed permanent and principal home for legal purposes; domicile.
  1. Mail to:

    Licensing Department
    Texas Board of Nursing
    333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460
    Austin, Texas 78701, or;

  2. Fax to (512)305-7401, or;
  3. Email to changes@bon.texas.gov.

Your address update will be recorded within ten working days after receipt.


I am moving to another state which needs a verification of my Texas license. Is there a form and/or fee for this service?

Texas does not provide verification of licensure to any state since the BON participates in the national database called NURsys®. All your Texas license information is maintained in this national database. You can allow the new state to access your Texas license information in NURsys® by paying the fee to that system. You can do this by going to their website at www.nursys.com


I need to change my last name due to marriage or a divorce. How do I accomplish this?

  1. Send a letter to the BON with the following information:
    1. Prior Name;
    2. New Name (The way you would like your license to read);
    3. Address;
    4. License Number OR last four digits of your Social Security Number and Date of Birth.
    5. Primary state of residence - the state of a person's declared fixed permanent and principal home for legal purposes; domicile.
    6. Attach a copy of the official document that changes your name (marriage certificate, page of the divorce decree that shows the name change and date of the decree)
  2. Mail to:

    Licensing Department
    Texas Board of Nursing
    333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460
    Austin, Texas 78701, or;

  3. Fax to (512)305-7401, or;
  4. Email to changes@bon.texas.gov.

Your name change will be updated within ten working days after receipt.


I did not receive a renewal notice in the mail. How do I get one?

Sixty days prior to your license expiring, the BON mails a renewal postcard to the last known address in our system. This postcard provides the information needed to renew the license online. If you cannot renew online, you must download a copy of the renewal application from our website. In any event, you do not need the postcard to renew. As long as it is sixty days prior to your license expiring, you can go to our website and click on renewal application to be guided through the process. Our website is www.bon.state.tx.us.


Do you require continuing education (CE)?

  1. Yes, nurses must attest to completing a minimum of 20 contact hours prior to renewing their license. First time licensees by examination and endorsement are exempt from this requirement upon their first renewal. Do not mail any certificates to the BON. You will be required to provide copies of the CE certificates upon notification of an audit. Advance Practice Nurses (APNs) are required to complete CE within their advanced specialty area and role recognized by the BON. APNs with limited prescriptive authority must also complete an additional five contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics.
  2. We accept CE programs that are approved by national nursing organizations, their affiliates and other state boards of nursing.

I am not sure what is required for a state to be my home state of residency for compact privileges. What is the requirement?

  1. If you live in a compact state (see list of compact states), you must have at least one of the following to declare that state your home state of residency:
    1. a driver license in that state, or;
    2. an address from the state that you hold a voters registration, or;
    3. an address in that state by which you file your federal income taxes.
  2. In Texas (and most compact states) we require some type of formal declaration. You cannot assume you have the compact privilege just because you have one or more of the items above. In Texas, you must declare your home state on your examination application, endorsement application, renewal form or separate declaration of primary state of residence form, whichever is applicable.

How do I place my license on inactive status?

If your nursing license is current, you may request inactive status by checking the appropriate box on the front of the renewal form (obtainable at renewals.html), completing all applicable areas and mailing the form to the Board’s address listed at the top of the renewal form. No fee is required. If you desire to re-enter the practice of nursing in Texas, you will be required to pay a reactivation fee and meet all current requirements in effect at the time you desire to re-enter the practice of nursing.


How do I place my license on retired status?

If your nursing license is current, you may apply for retired status by checking the appropriate box on the front of the renewal form (obtainable at renewals.html), completing all applicable areas, and mailing the form with the appropriate fee ($10.00) to the Board’s address listed on the top of the renewal form. You may not practice with a retired license. If you desire to re-enter the practice of nursing in Texas, you will be required to pay a reactivation fee and meet all current requirements in effect at the time you desire to re-enter the practice of nursing.


I took the VN/PN or RN exam last week. Can you tell me if I passed? When will I receive my results?

Most candidates receive results in the mail within three (3) weeks from their test date; however, if NCS Pearson places the candidate's results on "Hold" for any reason (i.e. to verify identity, technical problems, etc), it may delay the applicant in receiving the results. Results will not be released over the phone or by email during this time. Licensure verification can be obtained from our website at www.bon.state.tx.us under "online verification". If you have passed the exam and have a valid US social security number, licensure should be available for verification within ten working days after you have taken the exam. The Board does participate in "Quick Results", but it does not substitute for the official results.