Kentucky RN Programs

There are many degrees one can pursue after you get out of high school, but registered nursing may be one of the more rewarding. RN programs in Kentucky offer students a chance to pursue a challenging career helping others.

Kentucky RN programs range from 2 years for an associate's degree to 4 years for a bachelor's degree. The variety of Kentucky RN programs allows one to attend the program that best meets his or her needs.

Becoming Licensed by Examination in Kentucky

Individuals in Kentucky can become eligible to work as RNs by examination and by endorsement. To become an RN by examination an individual must submit the following items with his or her application:

• Payment of the RN examination fee of $110.00
• A Kentucky criminal background report
• A fingerprint card with payment for the fee of
• Proof that he or she has passed the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
• Verification that the individual has completed an approved nursing program
• Documentation that he or she has passed the NCLEX
• Proof that he or she completed the required continuing competency. If the individual did not graduate from a Kentucky nursing program, he or she must complete:
• 2 hours of HIV/AIDS continuing education
• 3 hours of domestic violence continuing education
• All applicants must complete 1.5 hours of pediatric head abuse trauma

Individuals who have been educated as RNs outside the United States and wish to work as RNs in Kentucky can do so by examination or by endorsement. To become an RN through examination, he or she must submit:

• A copy of VisaScreen for Licensure
• His or her application, along with the application fee of $40
• A state background check
• A federal background check
• Proof that he or she has passed the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
• Verification that he or she passed the NCLEX
• Proof that he or she is a legal resident of the United States
• A copy of a valid US social security number

Becoming Licensed by Endorsement in Kentucky

If an RN wants to work in Kentucky and currently holds an RN license in another state or US jurisdiction, he or she must submit the following:

• An endorsement application, along with the $150.00 application fee
• A fingerprint card, along with the $16.50 fee
• Proof that he or she has passed the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
• Verification that he or she has completed 2 hours of Kentucky Board of Nursing approved continuing education in HIV/AIDS
• An official nursing transcript if he or she has graduated from a program in one of the following states:
• California
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Pennsylvania
• Washington

If an individual was educated outside of the United States and wishes to become an RN through endorsement, he or she must submit:

• A copy of VisaScreen for Licensure
• His or her application, along with the application fee of $40
• A federal background check
• Proof that he or she met the continuing competency requirements
• Verification that he or she has passed the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
• Proof that he or she has been previously licensed in the United States
• Documentation that he or she is a legal resident of the United States
• A copy of his or her valid United States social security card

Renewing an RN License

In order to qualify for renewal, applicants must complete 14 hours of continuing education in each renewal period, or any option deemed equivalent for fulfilling this requirement.

Additional Resources

• Kentucky Board of Nursing

The Best RN Schools in Kentucky

By offering the most complete directory of nursing schools, NurseGroups.com helps Kentucky residents find the best local RN programs, as well as the best online RN schools whose accreditation is accepted by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

Why Online RN Classes?

Being a registered nurse is a great career. But many working adults who want to become an registered nurse have an extremely busy schedule - balancing a full-time job, family commitments and other personal responsibilities. The traditional classroom setting offered by most local nursing schools doesn't offer the same flexibility as taking their RN classes online.

Online nursing programs allow each student to fit their education into his or her already busy schedule. Online students can participate in discussion forums and take exams when it's convenient for them. RN nursing students can access their virtual classroom 24 hours per day / seven days per week.

Also, taking RN courses online saves students even more time, as online students don't need to commute to school. Online schools enable busy people to get an RN degree, without interfering with their current professional and personal life.

Kentucky RN Resources

• Kentucky Department for Public Health
• Northern Kentucky Health Department