How to reinstate your nursing license in New Jersey
To reinstate an inactive or lapsed New Jersey nursing license, you submit a reinstatement request to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, pay the reinstatement fee, and meet any continuing education or practice requirements that have accumulated since your license lapsed. The process takes roughly four to eight weeks. You do not need to retake the NCLEX or attend nursing school again — reinstatement is simpler than initial licensure, but the exact steps depend on how long your license has been inactive and whether you held an RN or LPN.
The Board of Nursing is part of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. You will work directly with them, not with a separate reinstatement program or private service. The Board maintains a list of what documents they need and what fees explore based on your specific situation.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the New Jersey Board of Nursing directly to confirm your license status and the exact reinstatement requirements for your situation.
- You will need to pay a reinstatement fee and provide proof of any continuing education hours required by the Board.
- If your license has been inactive for more than five years, the Board may require additional documentation or verification of your nursing knowledge.
- The reinstatement process typically takes four to eight weeks from the time the Board receives your complete request.
Contacting the New Jersey Board of Nursing
Start by calling or visiting the Board of Nursing website to confirm your license status and get the exact reinstatement form and fee schedule. The Board's contact information is listed on the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website under Professional Boards. When you call, have your license number ready if you have it, or your full name and date of birth.
The Board staff can tell you when ready whether your license is inactive, lapsed, or expired, and what that means for your next steps. They will also tell you whether you owe any continuing education hours or whether additional requirements explore because of how long you have been away from practice.
Continuing education requirements for reinstatement
New Jersey requires nurses to complete continuing education hours to keep their license active. If your license has been inactive, you may owe back hours. The number of hours required depends on how long your license has been inactive and the Board's current rules, which can change.
Some continuing education can be completed online through approved providers. The Board publishes a list of approved providers on its website. You do not have to complete all your hours before you submit your reinstatement request, but you will need to show proof of completion before the Board will finalize your reinstatement. Ask the Board which hours are most urgent to complete first.
The reinstatement fee and what it covers
The Board charges a reinstatement fee separate from the regular license renewal fee. The amount varies depending on your license type (RN or LPN) and how long your license has been inactive. The Board's website or staff can give you the exact fee for your situation.
The fee covers the cost of processing your request and updating the Board's records. It does not cover continuing education courses, which you pay for separately to the course provider. Some nurses pay for both the reinstatement fee and multiple continuing education courses, so budget for both.
Documents you will need to submit
The Board requires a completed reinstatement form, proof of payment of the reinstatement fee, and proof of any continuing education hours you have completed. If your license has been inactive for a long time — typically more than five years — the Board may ask for additional documents such as a letter explaining your absence from practice or verification that you have not been disciplined in another state.
Some nurses also need to provide a new address or update their name if those details have changed since their license was last active. The reinstatement form will list all required documents. Do not submit anything the form does not ask for, as extra documents can slow down processing.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement request
Once the Board receives your complete request, they will send you a confirmation. Processing typically takes four to eight weeks. During this time, the Board reviews your documents, verifies your continuing education, and checks whether you have any disciplinary history in New Jersey or another state.
You can check the status of your reinstatement by contacting the Board directly. Do not assume your license is active until you receive written confirmation from the Board. Some employers require you to show proof of active licensure before you can start work, so keep the Board's confirmation letter.
If your license was suspended or revoked
Reinstatement is different from restoring a license that was suspended or revoked due to discipline. If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot use the standard reinstatement process. Instead, you must petition the Board for restoration, which involves a hearing and additional requirements set by the Board.
Contact the Board directly to find out whether your license was suspended, revoked, or straightforward allowed to lapse. The Board can tell you which process applies to you and what documents you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the NCLEX. You only need to complete any continuing education hours owed and submit the reinstatement form and fee to the Board.
How long can my license be inactive before I cannot reinstate it?
New Jersey does not have a hard cutoff date after which reinstatement is impossible. However, if your license has been inactive for many years — typically more than ten — the Board may require additional documentation or verification. Contact the Board to find out what applies to your situation.
Can I work as a nurse while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. You cannot work under an inactive or lapsed license. You must wait for the Board to send you written confirmation that your license is active again. Some employers will hire you contingent on reinstatement, but you cannot start work until the Board confirms your license is restored.
What if I completed continuing education in another state — does New Jersey accept it?
New Jersey accepts continuing education from approved providers, regardless of where the course was taken. However, the course must be from a provider approved by New Jersey or by a national accrediting body that New Jersey recognizes. Check with the Board before paying for a course to make sure it will count toward your reinstatement.
Can I reinstate my license online?
You can read the reinstatement form from the Board's website and submit it by mail or in person. Some steps may be available online, but contact the Board to find out the current process and whether they accept online submission.