The Indiana Center for Nursing unites statewide nursing education and practice leaders to support a diverse, highly qualified workforce that advocates for equitable healthcare across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Graduate from a nursing program approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing.
- File your licensure application with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA).
- Register with NCSBN and pass the NCLEX-RN.
- Indiana offers a multistate (compact) license option.
The Steps
- Finish an approved nursing program. Complete an ADN or BSN from a program the Indiana State Board of Nursing approves for initial RN licensure.
- Apply through the Indiana PLA. Submit your application for licensure by examination to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
- Register for the NCLEX-RN. Complete NCSBN registration per the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin. Both your state application and NCLEX registration must be done before the Board grants exam eligibility.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN. Schedule and sit the exam at a Pearson VUE center.
- Receive and renew your license. After you pass, the Board issues your RN license. You can request a single-state or multistate compact license, then renew on the state's cycle.
Pay and Outlook
Nationally, the median registered-nurse wage was $93,600 in May 2024, and RN employment is projected to grow 5% through 2034 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Indiana hospitals, the Indianapolis metro, and rural health systems continue to recruit RNs across specialties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for an Indiana nursing license? File an application for licensure by examination with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, then register separately with NCSBN for the NCLEX-RN. Both steps are required before the Board grants exam eligibility.
Is Indiana a compact nursing state? Yes. Indiana participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so eligible nurses can hold one multistate license valid across compact states.
Which exam do I take to become an RN in Indiana? The NCLEX-RN, administered through NCSBN and Pearson VUE.
How long does it take to become a nurse in Indiana? An ADN runs about two years and a BSN about four, plus a few weeks to a few months for licensing after you graduate and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Who regulates nursing in Indiana? The Indiana State Board of Nursing, operating under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, approves programs and issues licenses.
Can a nurse from another state work in Indiana? A nurse holding a multistate compact license from another compact state can practice in Indiana, and nurses outside the compact can apply for an Indiana license by endorsement.