Do you wish to be a nurse in Virginia?
In that case, you have to get a license through the Board of Nursing in Virginia.
So, check out this article in order to learn more about what you need to do.
Table of Contents
What Does the Board Do?
The Virginia Board of Nursing is the facility that oversees the nursing job and releases the certifications.
The Board has to:
- Issue licenses to future nurses
- Renew the credentials of already licensed personnel
- Ensure the candidates meet the requirements by analyzing the submitted documents
- Issue disciplinary actions
- Maintain the rules and regulations up-to-date
- Maintain accurate records
Getting Approval to Take the NCLEX
In Virginia, you have to get a nursing license online.
In order for that to happen, you must pass the NCLEX exam.
This exam is recognized in the US.
It’s also recognized in both Canada and Australia.
This exam is provided by The National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
It is quite easy to make your own appointment to take the exam at a Pearson Vue testing center.
The testing centers of Pearson Vue are available in every city.
Before you are allowed to take the exam, you should fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete a training course for nurses first
- Complete the CGFNS International Certification Program – if you’re a foreigner
- Fill out the online application
- Pay the fee – 180 USD
- Have a clean criminal record
You can submit the test registration along with the certification application.
In Virginia, nurse licenses are only renewed online.
After you get all the papers, mail them to the next address:
- 9960 Mayland Dr #300, Richmond, VA 23233
The Council and the Board will approve your submission.
The results will appear on the official site of the Virginia Nursing Board, and that’s when they are seen as official.
Virginia is a compact state, which means active licenses in other jurisdictions ate recognized in this state.
You will not have to take the exam all over again.
Renewing Your License
Your Virginia nurse license has to be renewed every 24 months.
You need to create an account using the Vermont Nurse Portal.
The certification should be renewed until the end of your birth month.
You will need to cover the renewal fees using either a debit or credit card.
You will also need to provide:
- Full Name
- 10-digit Virginia License Number
- Date of Birth
- Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
If you are visiting the site for the first time, go to the Online Licensing page and register as a new user.
This is done by using your PIN and License number as given in your renewal notice.
If you accessed the Online Licensing page and have created your username and password, go to the login section.
How To Do A License Lookup
Remember that Virginia is a state that uses the Nursys system.
This means that you can verify your license through their website.
The section you should view in order to verify your license through Nursys is:
- https://www.nursys.com/LQC/LQCTerms.aspx
You can also utilize the Virginia Nurse Portal.
To do a license lookup, check out this page:
- https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/PractitionerResources/LicenseVerifications/
You can find your certification by name, license number, or NCSBN ID.
You can also do a search for your or someone else’s license with an asterisk after just a part of the number.
This method is better if you don’t have enough information about the license you are looking for.
Virginia Board of Nursing Contact Information
You can also reach out to the Virginia Board of Examiners by using their physical address:
- 9960 Mayland Dr #300, Richmond, VA 23233
The phone number of the Virginia Board of Nursing is +1 804-367-4515.
The fax number you can contact them is 801.530.6511
The official website of the Board of Nursing in Virginia is https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/.
There’s also a contact form on the site, at https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/AboutDHP/ContactUs/.
Conclusion
All the steps described below are important in getting and renewing your nursing license in Virginia.
As times change, more operations are being fine online.
The process will be easier, and you will be able to continue your career once you have your nurse license renewed.