1. How do I renew my license?
2. How will I know that my license has been renewed?
3. How do I notify the Board if I change my address or my name?
4. What fees does the Board charge?
5. What happens if I decide not to renew my license? Do I need to notify the board that I want to be listed as "inactive"?
6. If I don't renew my license before my birthday, how can I reinstate my license?
7. What are the "active in practice" requirements for renewing my license?
8. What are the continuing education requirements for renewing my license?
9. What is the difference between contact hours and continuing education units (CEUs)?
10. If I receive a notice that my license renewal has been selected for "CE Audit" what do I have to do?
11. After , can I assume that my license is valid and that I can practice as a nurse or nursing assistant?

For RNs and LPNs

1. How do I verify my New Hampshire license when I apply for a nursing license in another state?
2. Where can I find a description of the scope of practice for RNs and LPNs?
3. Can I apply for a temporary license?
4. If my license is inactive and I have not worked as a nurse for 400 hours in the past 4 years, what do I need to do in order to reinstate my license?
5. How do I apply for a NH license by endorsement?

General Questions

1. How do I renew my license?

Every licensee must renew her/his license every two years, before midnight of her/his birthday. Post cards reminding licensees of the need to renew are mailed about 6 weeks prior to the expiration date to the address that you have filed with the Board of Nursing. Failure to notify the Board of your address change may result in a $10.00 fine, and a delay in renewing your license.

We encourage you to renew your license on line. If you don't have personal access to a computer, you may try the library in your town. If you are unable to renew your license on line, return your renewal postcard to the Board of Nursing requesting a paper application to be sent to you. Remember that your license renewal may be delayed if you must wait for mail services. Renewing on line is easy and quick. Instructions to access your code will be available on the renewal postcard. We accept only MasterCard and Visa for on-line licensing. If your license application has been marked for Continuing Education audit, you can download the form and return to boardquestion@nursing.state.nh.us or mail the required documentation.

Names of licensees who are scheduled to renew in the next monthly cycle will be posted on the web site. Even if you have not received a postcard, you may begin the online process if your name appears on the renewal list. Go to the on-line renewal section and follow the directions to obtain a registration code.

Failure to receive the renewal reminder post card does not relieve you of the responsibility of renewing your license by the expiration date. MAKE SURE YOU NOTIFY THE BOARD OF ANY ADDRESS CHANGE BEFORE YOUR LICENSE EXPIRES.

2. How will I know that my license has been renewed?

The Board of Nursing is no longer issuing a paper copy of a license. You can print a verification of your license status 24/7 through the on-line verification system. The on-line verification provides the most up-to-date record of license status changes. You must verify that you have completed the process as instructed.

3. How do I notify the Board if I change my address or my name?

Change of address and name forms are on the web site under "Licensure, Applications and Other Forms." You can mail the completed Change of Address form to:

New Hampshire Board of Nursing
21 South Fruit Street, Suite 16
Concord, NH 03301
Or
You can fax the completed form to (603) 271-6605
Or
You can email your changes to boardquestions@nursing.state.nh.us

Please be sure to include your name, license number, former address (and/or name) and new address (and/or name). If you fail to notify the Board of Nursing of your address change, you may be fined $10.00.

4. What fees does the Board charge?

5. What happens if I decide not to renew my license? Do I need to notify the board that I want to be listed as "inactive"?

If you do not renew your license, your license will automatically become inactive at midnight on your birthday in your renewal year. Your name will always be kept on file at the Board of Nursing, and you can reinstate your license at any time if you meet continuing competence requirements which include "active in practice" and continuing education requirements.

REMEMBER! You may not work as a nurse or nursing assistant in New Hampshire or, for RNs and LPNs, in another compact state if your license has expired. If you work as a nurse or nursing assistant after your license is expired, you must pay a fine (see fee schedule). If you live in New Hampshire, you may not work as a nurse in another compact state if your license has expired. If you move your residence to another compact state, you must obtain a nursing license in the state to which you have moved within 30 days of moving. You must notify the NH Board of Nursing that you have moved. Your NH nursing license will automatically be inactivated 30 days following a change of residence to another nurse compact state .

6. If I don't renew my license before my birthday, how can I reinstate my license?

If your license has expired, you may reinstate your license and pay the fee for reinstatement if you meet continuing competence requirements which include "active in practice" and continuing education. To reinstate your license, call the Board of Nursing (603 271-2323) or send an email to boardquestions@nursing.state.nh.us and request a reinstatement application. The original license number you were assigned will always be your license number. When you complete your reinstatement application you must attest that you have met all the continuing competency requirements which includes "active in practice" for the required hours and have completed the required number of continuing education hours

If you wish to reinstate your license, but you have not met the continuing competency requirements, you must complete the reentry process appropriate for your license category.

REMEMBER! You may not work as a nurse or nursing assistant in New Hampshire or as a nurse in another compact state if your license has expired. If you work as a nurse after your license is expired, you must pay a fine (see fee schedule).

7. What are the "active in practice" requirements for renewing my license?

The active in practice in practice requirements for all licensees are described under Continuing Competence.

8. What are the continuing education requirements for renewing my license?

The continuing education requirements for all licensees are described Continuing Competence.

9. What is the difference between contact hours and continuing education units (CEUs)?

A contact hour is equal to 60 minutes of attendance at an education program, or 50 minutes of time devoted to completion of a self-learning program or computerized program. A CEU is 10 Contact Hours. The requirements for your license renewal are stated in terms of contact hours. Nurses must complete 30 contact hours every 2 years, and LNAs must complete12 contact hours every year.

The Board does not require that your contact hours be earned at conferences that provide "official" contact hours from a professional certifying organization. Any organized learning program that enhances your nursing or nursing assistant knowledge, judgment, or skills may qualify to meet the requirements for relicensure. You may complete any or all of your contact hours through professional journal continuing education programs or via Internet learning programs. However, in order for self-learning activities to be valid for license renewal, you must complete the journal or Internet process by submitting the posttest to the sponsor or complete other requirements in order to receive your certificate. Examples of activities that meet continuing education requirements for licensure are found under Continuing Competence.

10. If I receive a notice that my license renewal has been selected for "CE Audit" what do I have to do?

If the postcard you receive reminding you of the need to renew your license is stamped with "CE Audit" in red letters, you have been selected for an audit of your continuing education activities. You must submit a description of your continuing education along with your renewal application. You do not need to send copies of the certificates that you received when you attended programs. You must write down on the form provided a list of program titles, contact hours awarded, and the sponsoring agency for continuing education you completed in the past 2 years. Only activities that were completed within the 2 calendar years preceding your license renewal date can be considered. You will be able to print out the Continuing Education Audit Form when you begin the on-line process. You must send electronically or mail the completed form to the Board office. See information on Continuing Competence.

11. After I validate on the on-line verification system that my license has been renewed, can I assume that my license is valid and that I can practice as a nurse or nursing assistant?

A license is issued by the Board of Nursing "in good faith" based on actual receipt of the licensing fee. If the funds in your checking account are insufficient to cover the cost of the license, the license will immediately become invalid. Your license will be posted as "inactive" on the on-line verification system if your check is returned to us by the NH Treasury for insufficient funds. You are responsible for checking the verification web site to assure your license is valid. If you work as a nurse or nursing assistant in New Hampshire while your license is invalid, you are working without a license, and are subject to an administrative fine.

For RNs and LPNs

1. How do I verify my New Hampshire license when I apply for a nursing license in another state?

If New Hampshire was the state in which you first became licensed and you would like to obtain a nursing license from another jurisdiction, contact the Board of Nursing in the state in which you seek licensure and request forms for applying for a license by endorsement. A directory of the board of nursing of all the states can be found at http://www.ncsbn.org/.

As of January 1, 2006, New Hampshire has joined the national license verification center known as NURSYS. In order to provide license verification to another jurisdiction if you are applying for a nursing license, you must activate your license information by contactingNURSYSdirectly at http://www.nursys.com/ to complete the process on line, or write directly to NURSYS, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc., 35531 Eagle Way, Chicago IL 60678-1353. The fee for activating your license information is $30.00, payable by credit card if you register on line, and by certified check, cashier’s check or money order if you register by mail. License information will be accessible by the Board of Nursing to which you are applying within 1 week of receipt of your application and fee by National Council. The verification report will remain active in theNURSYSdata base for 90 days, after which it expires, and will no longer be accessible. If you have questions, please contact the NURSYS License Verification Department at (312) 525-3780 or toll free at (866) 819-1700.

2. Where can I find a description of the scope of practice for RNs and LPNs?

The scope of practice for each category of licensees is found in the Nurse Practice Act which is officially known as New Hampshire Law, RSA 326 -B. The Nurse Practice Act and the Administrative Rules that govern nursing practice in New Hampshire can be found under the heading of Nurse Practice Act.

For Registered Nurses, the scope of practice is found in RSA 326-B12.

The scope of practice for a Licensed Practical Nurse is found in RSA 326-B13.

3. Can I apply for a temporary license?

The following individuals may apply for a temporary license:

1. New graduates from RN or LPN programs who live in NH or a non-compact state and have also applied for a New Hampshire license by examination, but have not yet taken NCLEX for the first time
2. Students who are enrolled in a program leading to a registered nursing degree who have completed 600 hours of nursing study in fundamentals of nursing, medical-urgical nursing, and maternal-child health nursing and who have applied to take the NCLEX-PN examination and live in NH or a non-compact state.
3. RNs and LPNs who have an active license in another US jurisdiction who have applied for a New Hampshire license by endorsement
4. Graduates of nurse practitioner programs who have a New Hampshire RN license, have applied for ARNP licensure in New Hampshire, and who have scheduled a date to take their national certification exam.
5. RNs and LPNs who are enrolling in one of the RN or LPN reentry programs.

• RNs and LPNs who are enrolling in one of the RN or LPN reentry programs MUST have a temporary license before beginning the reentry program. All temporary licenses expire 120 days from the date of issue, or 120 days from the date the application for license by examination is received, or upon notification of passing or failing the NCLEX or certification examination.
• No temporary license can be issued until The Board of Nursing has received and reviewed your criminal background check and fingerprint results.
• All temporary licenses issued by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing are single state licenses and allow the individual to practice nursing only in New Hampshire.

4. If my license is inactive and I have not worked as a nurse for 400 hours in the past 4 years, what do I need to do in order to reinstate my license?

If you have not been "active in practice" for at least 400 hours in the past 4 years, you must complete a reentry program approved by the NH Board of Nursing. You can read about reentry programs by going to Reentry Process for RNs and LPNs.

5. How do I apply for a NH license by endorsement?

In order to apply for a license by endorsement, you must have an active license in another state. In addition, you must meet the continuing competence requirements in NH which include having earned 30 continuing education contact hours in the past 2 years, and having been "active in practice" for a minimum of 400 hours in the past 4 years. "Active in practice" means working in your license category, either for pay or in a volunteer status. Information about continuing competence can be found under Continuing Competence and directions and forms for license application are available under Forms.

***If your permanent residence is in a compact state other than New Hampshire, you are not eligible for a New Hampshire nursing license. In order to practice nursing in New Hampshire, you must obtain a multi-state license in the compact state you declare as your permanent address.

***If you are moving to New Hampshire from another compact state, you may practice nursing in New Hampshire with your multi-state license from the compact state from which you are moving for 30 days. You must obtain a nursing license in New Hampshire within 30 days of moving to New Hampshire. Failure to obtain a NH nursing license within 30 days may result in disciplinary action for working without a valid license. Information about the Nurse Licensure Compact is available on the web site.

***If you are applying for a RN or LPN license by endorsement from another state, you may request an application for a temporary license to allow you to practice nursing while your application is being processed. See information above about temporary licenses. A temporary license will allow you to practice in New Hampshire, but will not allow you to practice in another compact state.

In order to process your application for license by endorsement, you must provide the following to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing:

1. RN/ LPN Application for License by Endorsement with the appropriate fee;
2. Documentation showing a current, active nursing license issued by another state;
3. Criminal background check (see directions on the application forms);
4. Verification report from your original licensing state or verification information from the NURSYSdata base (see directions on the application form).