With an LPN license the Licensed Practical Nurse will get a better chance than ever for good career opportunities. The best time to apply for these licenses is a few months before graduation. Once you have the license, LPN license renewal takes place every two years. Without a state license, an LPN won’t be able to legally practice medicine. Certain requirements must be met before the LPN can renew the nursing license. Every state in the United States has their own LPN license renewal requirements for which licensed practical nurses have to first undergo extensive training. Thereafter they have to sit for and pass a licensing examination held by the state nursing board, after which they are considered eligible to practice. Any licensed practical nurses who practice nursing without a license may have to pay a penalty.
The entire process of renewing your license will include things like receiving and processing applications, answering inquiries, verifying previous employment and assessing credentials.
You Are Able To Renew On-Line
You can renew your license on-line, but if you are unable to renew over the Internet, you can always contact the Board office in writing in your particular state and request that a paper form be mailed to you. For this you will need to include your name, address, license number or social security number with your request. These Boards usually require anything between three days to a week to process paper renewals which will be returned to the licensee for any number of reasons; one of the more common ones being the failure to fill in the criminal history questions.
If you, as an LPN, are wondering where to go and what to do regarding your license, and more specifically your LPN license renewal, Nursing Center.com is a fantastic resource because they list all the various State Board of Nursing in each state’s contact details as well as their continuing education and practice requirements for all nurse’s renewing their licenses, bearing in mind that even those states who don’t have these sort of requirements will charge a fee and still require you renew your license within the right time frame. Each state may have different requirements for renewing an inactive license or reinstating a license.
When You Are Not Eligible For On-line Licensure
There are also other cases where individuals are not eligible to use the online licensure renewal process. If your license or certificate is inactive, lapsed, or if you have been notified by the Tax Commission that you are not compliant with state income tax then you won’t be able to renew your license on-line.
Criminal Background Check
State Licensing Boards require that LPNs undergo a criminal background check before receiving a license. Some states will require the LPN to undergo a criminal background check every time an LPN renews their license. The fingerprint services vendor will give the LPN a receipt to be filed with the license renewal application as proof that the checks were completed.
Make Sure Training Is From An Accredited Nursing School
Getting a license includes a year or two of training. It is mandatory for the LPN to attend a year of training in a hospital, after which the licensed practical nurse can qualify for licensure. Every state has a Board of Nursing which has its own conditions for providing a license. Once of these conditions is that no nurse will be able to get a license if they received their training at a nursing school which is not accredited. To earn a license, you need to pass the state-administered nursing examination known as NCLEX-PN. You can get an application from your state board of nursing. The NCLEX-PN exam was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The name that appears on your license will be the name that must use when signing for medication or nursing notes.
Keep Name Changes And Addresses Updated
If your name changes through marriage or divorce for instance, or if your email address changes, you must renew your license through the mail. All you need do is submit your request with your renewal application together with a certified copy of your divorce decree or marriage license.
You are Always Reminded of License Renewal
As a licensed Practical Nurse you will be able to perform a number of duties around the care of patients which includes recording vital signs and administering medicine.
Licensed Practical Nurses are registered in the state where they work. Before their current license expires they will be sent a license renewal application. Not all states have the same requirements and some of them will require that the licensed practical nurse shows evidence of their abilities in order to have the license renewed. Mississippi offers three ways an LPN can meet this competency requirement:
- The licensed practical nurse can complete a nursing board-approved orientation program. After this program the LPN will have a copy of certification which can be submitted to the state licensing board.
- The LPN can complete twenty hours of contact educational work in nursing which is accredited by an approved agency. The 20 hours can be spread over two years.
- The LPN can take continuing education classes which are equal to a minimum of three semester hours within the two-year nursing license period.
As a licensed practical nurse you must register in the state where you practice. You then receive your renewal notice before your current license expires. You will need to find out from your state’s board of nursing about the fees you will have to pay as well as the education credits that are necessary. Some states want proof that you have in fact completed the pre-specified educational requirements. Most times the nursing professional will need to take a test or pay a fee to have the licensing reissued and to update their knowledge on certain skills.
What Will Happens If The License Expires?
You will need to submit a renewal form to Nursing Board along with the late submission fees. Licenses that are not renewed within sixty days of expiry date will need to have them reactivated along with extra fees and then still undergo a criminal background check. If you practice nursing without a current license or certificate, you could be subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000.
Renewing A License In Inactive Status
In California for instance, inactive status means that while the nurse has paid the renewal fee, they have not completed the continuing education requirement, and they are therefore not permitted to practice as a licensed practical nurse in California with such a license. To change this status the nurse must submit proof of 30 contact hours of continuing education which was completed in the past two years.
The Maryland Board of Nursing as well as other Boards let LPNs renew their license over the Internet. This is a wonderful convenience for you to be able to do this from your home or office. These online renewals are processed electronically and immediately upon completion of the online renewal process and the credit card transaction, licensees will be able access the online verification and actually see that the license has been renewed. With Internet you can renew your nursing license day or night; 24/7 by using your Visa or Master Card. To renew your license on-line you will need an email address so that the transaction information can be sent to your e-mail address. You will also be required to provide your nursing license number as well as your surname and social security number. You won’t be able to renew your license on-line if you have a conviction against you or some kind of action has been taken your license since your last renewal.
In some states like North Carolina, if your license has been on inactive status for over five years and you haven’t been licensed elsewhere during the last five years, you will need to do a Board-approved refresher course before reinstating your license. When required information and applications are received, a current license to practice will be issued. This license must be reactivated within a year of doing the refresher course if you want to be considered for current license status.
Conclusion
Every licensed practical nurse needs to be very much involved with the nursing profession and to understand all the legalities involved in the profession and with the different regulatory bodies. When it comes time to renewing your license, these guidelines can help you in a simple way to make your processing easier, less frustrating and also more convenient. As an LPN it is in your best interests to ensure you have a license to practice and that you renew it timeously. Without it you jeopardize your chances of decent employment. LPN license renewal will ensure the safe and ethical nursing practice of nurses who must prove they have the required competencies as well as the hours of practice to actually possess an LPN license.
