FAQs for Nursing
FAQ Sections
Georgia Board of Nursing Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
Nursys e-Notify is an innovative nurse licensure notification system (developed and provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing) that allows you to receive real-time email notifications about nurses that you employ. The system provides publicly available discipline data directly to you automatically as the data is entered into the Nursys database without you needing to proactively seek the information. Learn more and subscribe to Nursys e-Notify>>. For more information contact [email protected].
Free Service
- The service is offered to you free of charge through a partnership with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Easy, Quick, and Efficient
- Entering your nurses into Nursys e-Notify is fast and easy.
- Search the Nursys database for nurses to add to your list, bulk upload your entire nursing staff list and/or connect to and upload directly from your system. You manage the addition, deletion or deactivation of nurses with just a few easy clicks.
- Once you enter your nurses into the Nursys e-Notify system you will receive notification about changes in licensure status as soon as they are made by a board of nursing.
- If a nurse’s license is about to expire, the system will alert you and then you can choose to use the system option to send the nurse a reminder.
- You will also immediately find out if there has been new disciplinary action or a publicly available nurse alert issued by a board of nursing for your employed nurse.
Information and Changes Tracked
- Nursys e-Notify will alert subscribers when the following changes are made to a nurse’s record:
- License status
- License expirations
- License renewal
- Disciplinary action Disciplinary action resolved
Customizable Information
- You choose how often you receive emails, when and how often you receive nurse licensure status change updates, and when to run your reports.
- You can even choose to enter nurse contact information so that you can send licensure renewal reminders to them via email or text directly from the system.
Learn more and subscribe to Nursys e-Notify>>. For more information contact [email protected].
- Nursys is the only national database for verification of nurse licensure, discipline, and practice privileges for RNs and LPN/VNs.
- Nursys e-Notify provides real-time automatic notification of status and discipline changes delivered directly to you.
- Nursys e-Notify economically provides you with vital information saving you money and staff time.
Learn more and subscribe to Nursys e-Notify>>. For more information contact [email protected].
The Georgia Board of Nursing licenses nurses through examination and endorsement from other states. Additionally, the Board approves qualified registered nurses to enter practice as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives.
Applications are typically reviewed within fifteen business days from the receipt of all required documents. Issues such as past criminal behavior or previous disciplinary actions may lengthen these time lines substantially to allow for Board or disciplinary staff review.
Licensure services include:
- Approval of an applicant to sit for the NCLEX
- Issuance of a license following successful examination
- Issuance of a permanent license upon completion of all application requirements
- Renewal of a nursing license
- Approval of full APRN authorization following completion of all application requirements
- Renewal of APRN authorization
You may apply for licensure by examination, endorsement, or reinstatement.
- If you have never been licensed in any other state you should apply for licensure by examination.
- If you have never been licensed in Georgia but you are/have been licensed in another state you should apply for licensure by endorsement.
- If you have previously been licensed in Georgia you should apply for licensure by reinstatement.
If you graduated from a nursing education program located outside of the United States and you have never been licensed in the United States you should apply for licensure by international exam.
Before an individual can practice as a certified nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist or clinical nurse specialist - psychiatric/mental health, they must possess an APRN authorization from the State of Georgia.
Applicants must submit the following information:
- Completed application
- Non-refundable application fee of $75.00
- Official college transcripts
- Applicants must have a master’s degree or other graduate degree approved by the Board.
- One of the following:
- Verification of employment documenting 3 months/500 hours of APRN practice
- Proof of graduation from an approved nursing education program within 4 years immediately preceding the date of application
- Verification of active national certification in his or her area of specialty
- Any other additional information requested by the Board.
Applications are typically reviewed in less than 15 business days. Applications are reviewed on a first in/first out basis. To ensure the most efficient processing time, please submit a complete application using the instructions contained in the application packet.
Applicants who failed the exam must submit a paper application for reexamination. (International applications, must use the paper application for international applicants.)
Applicants must submit the following information:
- Completed application
- Non-refundable application fee of $40.00
- Background Check using the instructions contained in the application packet
- Any other additional information requested by the Board
You may apply for reexamination at any time after failing the exam but exam eligibility will not be granted by Pearson Vue until after a period of 45 days.
Applicants must pass NCLEX within 3 years of the date of graduation from a nursing education program.
Temporary permits are not issued to graduates. Following graduation, you must not engage in any “licensed” activities, work in any position that requires licensure as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, or begin orientation for any position that requires licensure as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse until you have received your license.
Board Rule 410-15-.01 makes provision for currently licensed registered nurses to apply for inactive status. Download the Application for Inactive Status>>
Please complete and submit that form using the instructions contained in the packet.
All address changes must be reported to the Board within 30 days after the change (Board Rule 410-1-.02). When making address changes please remember to update your email address. Changes may be submitted via the online portal.
You must apply for licensure by endorsement.
Please visit the How-To Guide: Registered Nurse page for information regarding the endorsement process for Registered Nurses.
Visit the How to Guide: LPN page for information regarding the endorsement process for Licensed Practical Nurses.
- Lost or stolen pocket cards should be reported to the Board immediately.
- You may print a copy of your pocket card by clicking here.
- If you would like to order a pocket card you may submit your written request to 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217. Please include a check or money order payable to the Professional Licensing Boards in the amount of $25.00. Be sure to include your license number with your request.
For complete information on license renewal, please refer to the How-To guide for your specific license type for complete renewal instructions:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Certified Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Certified Nurse Specialist and Psych/Mental Health NP (CNS/PMH)
All registered nurses and licensed practical nurses must submit documentation of completion of one of the required continuing competency activities for licensure renewal to www.cebroker.com as required by Board Rule 410-13. Click here for more information regarding continuing education requirements.
Please visit www.nursys.com and select "Nurse Licensure Verification for Endorsement." Follow the onscreen instructions to have your verification of licensure transmitted to another board of nursing.
Applicants must use the GAPS Applicant Processing Service (fieldprint.com) to obtain a criminal background check.
Graduates of a nontraditional nursing education program who do not meet the educational and practice requirements as stated by Georgia law O.C.G.A. 46-26-7 will be required to complete a Georgia Board approved preceptorship. Please click here to review information for nontraditional nursing education programs applicants. Board approved preceptorships may be completed in a facility in which the applicant is currently employed and may be for compensation.
After the completion of the application process, the applicant may submit an application for a preceptorship. Once a proposed plan for preceptorship is approved by the Board, a 6-month temporary permit may be issued to the applicant. The applicant is expected to complete the preceptorship within 6 months. Upon receipt of a written request from the applicant and an updated clinical schedule provided by the Agency Coordinator, a temporary permit may be renewed only one time for an additional 6-month period.
Guidelines for 320 Hour Preceptorship
Guidelines for 480 Hour Preceptorship
Guidelines for 640 Hour Preceptorship
Guidelines for 480 - 640 Hour Preceptorship
Information for Graduates of Nontraditional Nursing Education Programs
The Georgia Board of Nursing does not provide legal advice regarding specific scope of practice questions. Please click here to view the "Scope of Practice Decision Tree." When used in conjunction with Georgia law and Board rules most individuals are able to answer their questions with relative ease.
It is important to remember that a nurse must practice within the scope and knowledge of his or her training and according to the policies and guidelines of his or her facility.
Prescriptive authority for advanced practice registered nurses is regulated by the Georgia Composite Medical Board (www.medicalboard.georgia.gov). Please view the following information available at the Medical Board's website:
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Forms
APRN Rules Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 43-34-25
Frequently Asked Questions for APRNS
Sample APRN Agreement for Family Practice
Please submit your request by email to [email protected] or by mail to 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217. Please be sure to include your name, license number, social security number, your new name, and a copy of the legal documentation granting the name change.
Reentry Programs FAQ
For Board Approved Reentry
The Board will review any reentry information once provided on the Georgia Board of Nursing reentry forms and once an active application is on file. Please note that the Georgia Board of Nursing requires reentry candidates to complete a study of the Georgia Nurse Practice Act and Board Rules. Candidates must also produce evidence of current healthcare provider CPR certification. Please view the following information regarding reentry programs:
Please click here for a list of Board approved programs that offer reentry. Please note that facilities on this list are not guaranteed or required to currently offer reentry programs. For additional information please view the following documents:
Continuing Education FAQ
See the Nursing Continuing Education page.
eNLC FAQ for Georgia
Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact Frequently Asked Questions for Georgia Licensees
No. An individual desiring a multistate license must submit an application to upgrade their single state license to a multistate license. Please click here to access the online application to upgrade your license to a multistate license. To be eligible to obtain a multistate license from the State of Georgia, you must declare Georgia as your primary state of residence. If you do not have a current Georgia mailing address, you must provide a legible, copy of one of the following documents:
- Driver’s license with a home address;
- Voter registration card displaying a home address;
- Federal income tax return declaring the primary state of residence;
- Military Form No. 2058 (state of legal residence certificate); and/or
- W2 from US Government or any bureau, division or agency thereof indicating the state of residence.
In addition to meeting the Georgia’s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, applicants for multistate licensure
must also meet the eNLC Uniform Licensure Requirements.
No. Obtaining a multistate license is optional and requires the individual to submit an application to upgrade your single state license to a multistate license.
If you have an existing single state license in Georgia you may apply now to upgrade your single state license to a multistate license. No multistate license will be issued prior to January 19, 2018. If you are not currently licensed in Georgia, your application for licensure is received on or after January 19, 2018, and you meet all eligibility requirements your application will be considered for a multistate license.
Licensees will renew their license using the online renewal application. The process will not change for the renewal of multistate licenses.
No. After the implementation date (January 19, 2018), party states shall not renew or reinstate a single-state license if the nurse has a multistate license in another state.
No. Applicants for authorization as an APRN in Georgia must be duly licensed as a registered nurse by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
Contact
Address
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217