FAQ | Renewal/Reinstatement

The North Carolina Board of Nursing no longer issue the wallet size license card or mail notification that your license has been renewed or reinstated. Instead, verify your licensure here.

The Board of Nursing's electronic database serves as the primary source of licensure information for nurses in North Carolina.

I am subject to a Continuing Competence audit. How do I submit evidence to the Board?

Mail, email or fax your Audit information to us using one of the below methods.

Attn: Continuing Competence
PO Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602

Fax: (919) 781-9461

What if I need to change my name?

If your license is up for renewal and you have a name change, you may update your name either prior to renewing your license or immediately after you renew your license.

Access the Name Change Application located under My Profile on the Nurse Gateway.

Submit legal documentation* supporting your name change to the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

*Examples of a supporting legal documentation include:

Do not submit the original document

Mailing address:

Customer Service
North Carolina Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2129
Raleigh NC 27602-2129

Fax: (919) 781-9461
Attn. Customer Service

Allow 5-10 business days from the date you submitted your request for processing.

What if I have had disciplinary action or investigation(s) by another professional or occupational licensing authority?

If you are renewing/reinstating your license and another professional or occupational licensing authority has taken disciplinary action or has an ongoing investigation with possible pending action, the following MUST be submitted:

The names, address and contact information of the licensing authority that has an investigation pending or ongoing related to your license; or, pending disciplinary action against your license; or, has taken action against your license, and a letter explaining the background of the action taken or the results of the investigation.

Additionally, SUBMIT certified records of:

  1. Formal charges or allegations supporting the licensure action;
  2. Final disposition of the licensing authority regarding those formal charges or allegations; and
  3. Evidence that the conditions of the licensing authority's order or requirements have been met or what conditions remain to be satisfied and how much time remains within which to satisfy them, if any. If no time remains and conditions remain unsatisfied, so state.

Submit these items to:

RENEWAL DEPARTMENT
North Carolina Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602-2129

If you have you ever had any licensing authority in any state, jurisdiction, or country deny, limit, suspend, probate, revoke or otherwise discipline any professional or occupational license, certificate, nurse aide registration or multistate privilege to practice, the following MUST be received in our office before your application can be processed:

  1. Written detailed explanation of each action including dates of action.
  2. License Type and State or Country of license.
  3. CERTIFIED copies of all actions taken by the licensing Board.

Submit these items to:

RENEWAL DEPARTMENT
North Carolina Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602-2129

What if I have had action in another state since my last renewal?

If you are renewing/reinstating your license and you have had, or now have pending, any action against a nursing license issued to you by another state (including revocation, suspension, restriction, probation, reprimand, censure, participation in an alternative chemical dependency program in lieu of disciplinary action, or any other disciplinary proceedings) that has NOT been previously reported to the North Carolina Board of Nursing, the following MUST be received in our office before your application can be processed:

  1. A detailed written explanation of the circumstances related to the charges, what action was taken, and in which state(s)/province(s).

Submit this explanation to:

RENEWAL DEPARTMENT
North Carolina Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602-2129

Additional processing time may be required.

What if I have had a Misdemeanor or Felony since my last renewal?

If you are renewing/reinstating your license, and you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony since you’ve last renewed (including DWI), or have had any charges pending whatsoever since you’ve last renewed, that have NOT been previously reported to the North Carolina Board of Nursing, the following items MUST be received in our office before your application can be processed:

  1. A written detailed explanation describing each incident and the facts that led to the conviction/charge.
  2. CERTIFIED copy of the charge(s) and conviction(s).
  3. Evidence the conditions of the conviction(s) have been met.

Contact the county clerk in the jurisdiction where each conviction occurred for a certified copy of the conviction(s).

Submit these items to:

RENEWAL DEPARTMENT
North Carolina Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602-2129

Additional processing time may be required.

Are Continuing Education hours required for renewal of my license?

CONTINUING COMPETENCE RULE (21 NCAC 36.0232) FOR NORTH CAROLINA REGISTERED NURSES AND LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES

Effective July 1, 2008, and thereafter, upon application for license renewal or reinstatement, all licensees are required to attest to completion of a self assessment of their practice, development of a learning plan, and completion of one of the approved learning activity options during the preceding renewal cycle or prior to reinstatement of license. Licensees should be prepared to submit evidence of completion if selected for audit by the Board. Failure of a licensee to meet the requirements of this Rule shall result in disciplinary action pursuant to G.S. 90-171.37 and 21 NCAC 36.0217.

Effective July 1, 2011, licenses will no longer be issued before Continuing Competence requirements are met. Any nurse unable to demonstrate that he/she has met the Continuing Competence requirements will have his/her license placed on inactive status and will not be able to practice until compliance with the Continuing Competence requirements is met and the license is returned to active status.

What if I want to place my license on inactive-retired nurse status?

If you plan to discontinue the practice of nursing in North Carolina, either permanently or temporarily, a request may be made to become inactive. Inactive Status is requested when your license is up for renewal. The request for Inactive Status MUST be made before the expiration of your current license. Once a license expires, it cannot be placed on the Inactive Status.

A nurse who has retired has the option of placing his or her license on Retired Status when the license is up for renewal. The request for Retired Status MUST be made before the expiration of your current license. If a license is inactive or expires, it cannot be placed on Retired Status.

Retired Status allows you to use the designation of either Registered Nurse - Retired or Licensed Practical Nurse – Retired. With the Retired Status, you will receive a frameable Certificate with this designation as well as a two-year subscription to the Bulletin. This Certificate will be mailed to you after the expiration date of your current license.

How long will my renewed license be effective?

Licenses expire on your birth month. On-time renewal of licensure will be for two (2) years and will expire the last day of your birth month.

For initial licensure or reinstatement of a lapsed license, licensure may be for less than two (2) years [13-24 months] in order to place the expiration on the birth month.

What am I going to show my employer? They want to see my license.

Your employer can access your licensure information directly from the Board of Nursing database, which is the primary source for nurse licensure information.