Compact status
Nurse Licensure Compact member
VA · Internationally educated nurses
Virginia RN license requirements
A researched starting point for applying to Virginia Board of Nursing, including education review, English rules, identification requirements, background checks, and the NCLEX sequence.
Credential evaluation
Exam applicants use a Virginia-approved agency/report: TruMerit CP Verification or CES Professional; IEE Virginia evaluation; Josef Silny Virginia evaluation; or The Evaluation Company Virginia report, as listed by VBON.
English requirement
Required when education was not taught in English or English is not native. VBON accepts TOEFL, IELTS Academic, TOEIC, MET and OET at published scores. Country-based exemptions and an all-English instruction/textbooks/native-language exemption are listed on the international page.
SSN requirement
An applicant without an SSN must contact VBON before filing the foreign-educated exam application. A valid SSN is needed for a permanent license; do not assume the endorsement-only 90-day temporary provision applies to exam applicants.
Background check
All RN/LPN applicants complete state and FBI fingerprint-based checks through Fieldprint after successfully submitting the online application.
Education review
Independent review must find the international program comparable/equivalent to a U.S. Board-approved RN program. Supporting education documents must be direct-source.
Application sequence
How to apply in Virginia
- 1
Contact VBON before filing the 'RN educated in another country' exam application (explicitly required by the Board's method page).
- 2
Submit online application, then initiate Fieldprint CBC.
- 3
Arrange approved credentials/ELP evidence and direct education documents.
- 4
Register with Pearson VUE; VBON declares eligibility before ATT.
Documents to prepare
- Approved credentials evaluation
- ELP score/exemption
- Direct final transcript or permitted attestation
- Fingerprint result
- Primary-state-of-residence proof
Verify before paying
- • VBON explicitly tells foreign-educated exam applicants to call before applying.
- • Provider-specific products differ between examination and endorsement; choose an exam-approved report.
- • Virginia residence is required for a Virginia multistate license.
Apply through the official board
This guide helps you compare requirements; it is not the application. Check the current instructions from Virginia Board of Nursing before ordering reports or submitting documents.
Official sources reviewed
Research checked 2026-07-22. Requirements can change.
General educational information only. The state board is the authority on licensure eligibility; immigration authorization is a separate process.