How to Get an RN License in New York (2026): Full Step-by-Step

New York is not a compact state and has several New York-specific coursework requirements even for experienced endorsement candidates. Licensure is handled by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions, not a traditional Board of Nursing — this tends to confuse applicants coming from other states.

New York Specifics

• Not a compact state — all NY-practicing RNs need a NY license
• Mandatory courses: Child Abuse Identification + Infection Control + Workplace Violence Prevention (every license holder)
• Limited Permit available for new grads awaiting NCLEX (paid clinical practice under supervision)
• NYC premium — NYC RN pay is among the top-5 metro compensation markets in the US

Path 1: By Examination (New Grad)

1. Graduate from a NYSED-approved RN program — or equivalent out-of-state program. Program must submit form 2A directly to NYSED.
2. Submit Form 1 (application) + $143 fee to NYSED Office of the Professions.
3. Complete Child Abuse Identification course — 2 hours, online, ~$20.
4. Complete Infection Control course — 4 hours, online, ~$40.
5. Complete Workplace Violence Prevention course — 2 hours, online, ~$20.
6. Register with Pearson VUE for NCLEX-RN — $200.
7. Optional: Apply for Limited Permit — $35. Valid 1 year, lets you work as a graduate nurse.
8. Pass NCLEX-RN — NYSED issues license within 3-6 weeks of passing.

Total: ~$423 · Timeline: 12-16 weeks from application start.

Path 2: By Endorsement

1. Submit Form 1 + Form 2 — Form 2 is a license verification that your original state's board mails directly to NYSED. $143 fee.
2. Complete the three mandatory NY courses if not already done (Child Abuse, Infection Control, Workplace Violence). ~$80 combined.
3. Submit Form 3 (education verification) — school sends transcripts directly to NYSED.
4. License typically issued in 6-10 weeks after all documents received.

Total: ~$220 · Timeline: 6-10 weeks.

Renewal

NY RN licenses renew every 3 years. Fee: $73. CE: 3 hours of Infection Control every 4 years (one cycle overlap).

NYC vs. Upstate Compensation

• NYC (Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, NewYork-Presbyterian): $115-145K base, $10-15/hr differentials, $10-20K sign-on common
• Long Island: $100-130K
• Hudson Valley / Westchester: $95-125K
• Upstate (Rochester, Buffalo, Albany): $78-98K

Ava Health places nurses across NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, Northwell, NYC Health + Hospitals, Montefiore, and upstate systems like University of Rochester Medical Center and Kaleida Health in Buffalo. Start at providers.avahealth.co/providers/new-york.

Related reading: New York Healthcare Recruiting 2026.