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PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD OF NURSING P.O. BOX 2649 HARRISBURG, PA 17105-2649 PHONE: (717) 783-7142 www.dos.state.pa.us FAX: (717) 783-0822 email: st-nurse@state.pa.us

September 1, 2011 Dear Student Nurse: Congratulations on choosing a nursing career path! As you prepare for the next major step of applying for your nursing license in Pennsylvania we would like to provide you with valuable information regarding this process to assure you successfully complete all required steps to avoid unnecessary delays. It is recommended you read all information provided in this letter and also print it for future reference. IMPORTANT POINTS: 1. You may submit a paper or online temporary practice permit (TPP) application and/or application for exam no earlier than 90 days prior to the date you complete your nursing education program. 2. All fees submitted to the Board Office are NONREFUNDABLE. 3. After all required documents are received by the Board allow approximately 14 BUSINESS (M-F) days for processing of your online or paper form application. Required documents include: a. APPLICATION(S) with complete/correct information (legal name, date of birth, and social security number etc.) b. FEES c. NURSING EDUCATION VERIFICATION FORM (proof from the school of program completion) d. TRANSCRIPTS (Out of State Graduates ONLY) e. TESTING ACCOMMODATION FORM (IF APPLICABLE) f. COURT DOCUMENTS (IF APPLICABLE) g. CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK (IF APPLICABLE) 4. The Board of Nursing does not know exactly when your nursing program will submit your Nursing Education Verification Form. Once you identify when it will be sent to the Board allow at least 5-7 business days for it to reach the Board Office. 5. Applications for a TPP or licensure by exam can be submitted the following ways. a). Online Exam/Graduate Temporary Practice Permit: ONLY Student Nurses graduating from a Pennsylvania Nursing Education Program can apply online with a major credit or debit card (American
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Express, Master Card, and Visa). A SEPARATE online application must be submitted for TPP and licensure by exam. The online application can be found at: https://www.mylicense.state.pa.us/PersonSearchResults.aspx. Make sure you record the userID and Password you create to access the online application at a later time and check on its status. Click here to proceed: ONLINE APPLICATION b). Paper Version Exam/ Graduate Temporary Practice Permit: Pennsylvania Student Nurses without a credit or debit card can apply by downloading and completing a copy of a paper application form and submitting this form to the Board Office by postal mail. You can apply for both licensure by exam and/or TPP using one paper form. This form is located at: Exam/Graduate Temporary Practice Permit. Out of state graduates must use this method. Click here to obtain: PAPER APPLICATION 6. The Authorization to Test (ATT) will come to you directly from PearsonVue, the test administrator, once the Board determines that you meet all qualifications for licensure as stated in the Pennsylvania Nursing Law (RN Law, 6; PN Law 5, located at www.dos.state.pa.us/nurse). You can complete your registration with PearsonVue at the same time you submit the exam application to the Board. If you do not register with PearsonVue you WILL NOT receive an Authorization to Test (ATT). Register online at http://www.vue.com/nclex/ or call 1-866-496-2539. 7. If you are requesting testing accommodations, you must complete the Request for Accommodations form that can be downloaded at: ACCOMMODATION FORM and send this form in by postal mail to the address listed on the form. To avoid delays please carefully review all instructions on the form. 8. For the Pennsylvania Student Nurses who have applied online you are able to check on the status of your exam and/or permit application by going to: https://www.mylicense.state.pa.us/Login.aspx and accessing the system using the user id and password you created and saved when you applied. 9. Official examination results are available ONLY from the board of nursing where the student nurse applied. If you applied to the Pennsylvania Board, either a license (passed National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX) or candidate performance report (failed NCLEX) will be mailed approximately two to 30 days after taking the examination. For a fee, you can obtain unofficial results within 48 hours of testing by going to NCLEX Quick Results Service at www.pearsonvue.com/nclex. 10. If there is a discrepancy in the information on your application and what information is received from your Program, we will contact you first to verify the information via the email you provided. Congratulations from the Exam Area Staff Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
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