Before applying for licensure, please familiarize yourself with the general licensing policies.
In order to be eligible for practical nurse licensure by examination, an applicant shall:
Successfully complete a practical nursing program that provided at least 1,500 hours of theory over no less than ten (10) months. Fifty percent (50%) of the contact hours must have been in supervised direct client care experiences and observational experiences;
Graduates of practical nursing programs that provided less than the minimum of 1,500 hours of direct client care experiences and observational experiences may substitute clinical work experience as a graduate or licensed practical nurse in lieu of the deficient hours in such practical nursing program.
Applicants who completed nursing school outside of the United States are required to arrange for a 'Professional Report' to be submitted directly to this office from the CGFNS International.
Successfully complete the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination-PN (NCLEX-PN);
Applicants may register for the examination online with Pearson Vue.
Please do not submit your Connecticut licensure application until such time as you are registered for the examination through Pearson Vue. If you are not registered for examination at the time of submission of your application and transcript, it may delay this office's approval for you to sit for the examination.
Upon receipt in this office of the Connecticut nurse licensing application, a transcript verifying completion of nursing school this office will deem you eligible for examination electronically.
Applicants who are deemed eligible for examination will receive an Authorization To Test (ATT) letter from the testing entity in the mail or through e-mail that will include information regarding scheduling an examination. The ATT will be sent directly from the testing service. You must complete an NCLEX registration form with requisite examination registration fee each time you test.
Please note examination results are not released by the Department via the telephone. Please note that results are not official until received in this office. The Department will mail official results to candidates following routine processing.
An official transcript submitted directly to this office by the nursing school verifying the award of a diploma, certificate or degree in nursing.
Note: For programs located outside of Connecticut, the Dean or Director of the nursing program must also complete and return directly to this office the Verification of Theory and Clinical Instruction Form.
A completed application with photograp attached. Applications are only accepted online. Please select this link to apply online.
Graduates of Practical Nursing Programs Located outside of the United States:
In addition to the documentation requirements outlined above, applicants who completed nursing school outside of the United States are required to arrange for a 'Professional Report' to be submitted directly to this office from the CGFNS International.
All supporting documentation should be sent directly from the source to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Ave., MS# 12 APP
Hartford, CT 06134
Phone: (860) 509-7603
Fax: (860) 707-1981