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🌾 Start Your Nursing Career in the Heartland
With a strong healthcare system, affordable living, and a growing demand for nurses, Oklahoma is an excellent place to start—or continue—your nursing career. But before you can practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state, you’ll need to obtain your Oklahoma Nursing License through the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN).
Whether you’re a new graduate preparing for the NCLEX, a nurse moving from another state, or an internationally educated nurse, this 2025 step-by-step guide from NCLEXPrepGuide.com will walk you through the entire process.
🏛️ About the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN)
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) is the official regulatory agency overseeing nursing licensure, nursing education, and enforcement of nursing laws and regulations in the state.
Contact Information:
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🌐 Website: nursing.ok.gov
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📞 Phone: (405) 962-1800
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📧 Email: board@nursing.ok.gov
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📍 Address: 2501 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 207, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
👩⚕️ Types of Nursing Licenses in Oklahoma
License Type | Description | Exam Required? |
---|---|---|
LPN | Licensed Practical Nurse | Yes – NCLEX-PN |
RN | Registered Nurse | Yes – NCLEX-RN |
APRN | Advanced Practice RN | Yes – National Certification |
✅ Licensure by Examination (For New Grads)
If you’re a new nursing graduate and haven’t taken the NCLEX yet, you’ll apply for licensure by examination.
Step 1: Graduate from an Accredited Nursing Program
Ensure your program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing or is nationally accredited.
Step 2: Register with Pearson VUE
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Visit: www.pearsonvue.com/nclex
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Register for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN
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Pay the $200 testing fee
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Choose Oklahoma as your licensing board
Step 3: Submit Your Application to OBN
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Select “Application for Licensure by Examination”
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Submit:
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Proof of graduation (official transcripts sent directly by your school)
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Government-issued ID
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Passport-sized photo
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Application fee: $85 (RN) | $75 (LPN)
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Signed affidavit and criminal history questions
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Step 4: Criminal Background Check & Fingerprinting
Oklahoma law requires a state and federal fingerprint-based background check.
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Schedule through IdentoGO: https://uenroll.identogo.com/
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Use service code provided by OBN
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Cost: ~$45
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Results are sent directly to the Board
Step 5: Take the Oklahoma Nursing Jurisprudence Exam
You must pass the open-book jurisprudence exam based on Oklahoma’s Nursing Practice Act and Rules. You’ll receive instructions via email.
Step 6: Receive ATT & Schedule the NCLEX
Once your documents and background check are approved, you’ll get an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE.
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Schedule your NCLEX exam date at a nearby test center
Step 7: Take & Pass the NCLEX
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You’ll receive unofficial results within 48 hours via Pearson VUE (Quick Results – $7.95)
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OBN receives official results within a few days
Step 8: Get Your Oklahoma Nursing License
Once you’ve passed and your background check clears, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing will issue your license.
Check your status here:
👉 Oklahoma License Verification
🌎 Licensure by Endorsement (For Out-of-State Nurses)
Already licensed as an RN or LPN in another U.S. state? You’ll apply by endorsement.
✅ Oklahoma is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state.
If you hold a multistate license from another NLC state and live in that state, you can practice in Oklahoma without needing another license.
However, if you’re relocating to Oklahoma, you must apply for a new license.
Requirements:
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Active license in another U.S. state
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Verification via Nursys.com
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Fingerprint-based background check
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Jurisprudence exam
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Application fee: $85
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Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence
👉 Apply here: nursing.ok.gov/endorse.html
🕐 Processing time: 10–15 business days after all documents are received
📃 Temporary Permit for Endorsement Applicants
Oklahoma may issue a Temporary Permit (valid for 90 days) if you’re applying by endorsement and need to work before your full license is issued.
Requirements:
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Complete online application
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Submit license verification
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Submit background check
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Pay additional $10 fee for temp permit
📚 Continuing Education (CE) Requirements
Oklahoma requires 24 contact hours of approved continuing education (CE) for each renewal period.
Acceptable CE Options:
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KBN or ANCC approved CE providers
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College nursing courses
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National certifications
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Online CE platforms like:
🔍 You must keep proof of completion for at least 4 years. Random audits happen during renewal.
🔁 License Renewal in Oklahoma
RN and LPN licenses in Oklahoma expire every 2 years based on your birth month.
Renewal Details:
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Renewal window: Opens 90 days before expiration
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RN renewal fee: ~$75
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LPN renewal fee: ~$75
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CE requirement: 24 contact hours (or equivalent)
👉 Renew online via the Nurse Portal: https://okbn.boardsofnursing.org/
👩⚕️ APRN Licensure in Oklahoma
To apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure in Oklahoma:
Requirements:
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Hold an active Oklahoma RN license
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Graduate from an advanced practice program (MSN/DNP)
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National certification in your APRN role (e.g., ANCC, AANP)
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Prescriptive authority (optional – requires additional CE in pharmacology)
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Application fee: ~$85
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CE Requirement: 15 hours in pharmacology every renewal cycle
Learn more: nursing.ok.gov/aprn.html
🔍 License Lookup & Verification
To verify an Oklahoma nursing license, use the Board’s official tool:
👉 https://www.ok.gov/nursing/verify/index.php
Check:
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License number and expiration date
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Disciplinary actions
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APRN endorsements
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to get licensed in Oklahoma?
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By Examination: 4–6 weeks (after NCLEX and fingerprinting)
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By Endorsement: 10–15 business days (with full documentation)
Q: Can I start working before my full license is issued?
Yes, with a Temporary Permit for endorsement applicants only.
Q: Does Oklahoma participate in the NLC?
Yes. If you hold a multistate license and live in another NLC state, you can work in Oklahoma without further steps.
Q: Is there an option for quick NCLEX results?
Yes. You can get “Quick Results” through Pearson VUE for $7.95 — results available within 48 hours.
🧠 NCLEX Support for Oklahoma Nurses
Want to crush the NCLEX and get licensed faster?
At NCLEXPrepGuide.com, we offer:
🌟 Why Work as a Nurse in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma offers:
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🏥 Growing healthcare facilities (OU Health, Integris, SSM Health)
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💰 Competitive RN salaries (~$72,000/year avg.)
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🏡 Low cost of living
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📈 High demand in both rural and urban areas
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🧑⚕️ Nurse-friendly legislation
Whether you’re in Tulsa, OKC, Norman, or the countryside — Oklahoma supports its nurses.
📥 Download the Oklahoma License Checklist (Free PDF)
Stay on top of your license journey with this printable checklist:
✅ NCLEX tracking
✅ Fingerprint deadlines
✅ Application fee tracker
✅ CE reminders
🎯 Final Thoughts
Applying for your Oklahoma nursing license doesn’t have to be complicated. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll know exactly what to do—whether you’re just graduating or moving from another state.
Let NCLEXPrepGuide.com support you from prep to practice. We’re with you every step of the way.