If you are wondering how to become a registered nurse, the pathway is clear and well-defined, even if it takes dedication. This complete six-step guide walks you from choosing a nursing program through passing the NCLEX-RN and earning your license, so you can see the whole journey and plan your next move. Requirements vary by state, so confirm details with your chosen board of nursing.
Table of Contents
How to become a registered nurse: the steps
Becoming an RN follows a consistent sequence regardless of where you start: earn the right education, graduate, pass the licensure exam, and get licensed by your state. The main choice along the way is which nursing degree to pursue, because that shapes your timeline and your future options. Everything else — the exam and the license — is common to every RN.
- Choose and complete an approved nursing program (ADN or BSN).
- Graduate and apply for licensure with your state board of nursing.
- Register for the NCLEX-RN and obtain your Authorization to Test.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN.
- Receive your registered nurse license.
- Grow your career through experience, a BSN (if needed) and specialization.
Choose a nursing program
The first decision is your degree. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) takes about two years and is the fastest route to becoming an RN. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes about four years and is increasingly preferred by employers, offering better long-term advancement and often required for leadership or specialty roles. Both qualify you to take the NCLEX-RN. Whichever you choose, make sure the program is approved by your state board of nursing, or you will not be eligible for licensure.
Graduate & apply
After completing your program, you apply for licensure with the board of nursing in the state where you intend to practise. This involves submitting proof of graduation, paying fees, and completing a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Start this application promptly, because board processing is often the slowest step before you can be authorised to test. Our registration guide explains this process in detail.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX-RN is the national licensure exam and the final academic hurdle to becoming an RN. It is a computer-adaptive, pass/fail exam that tests clinical judgement rather than memorisation — see our guides on what the NCLEX is and how it is scored. Prepare with a structured, question-led plan; our NCLEX study plan gives a ready framework. Passing the NCLEX-RN is what converts your degree into a license.
Get licensed
Once you pass, your board of nursing issues your registered nurse license, and you are legally able to practise. If your home state is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, you may be eligible for a multistate license that lets you practise in many states — see our Nurse Licensure Compact guide. Remember that a license must be renewed periodically and kept unencumbered, and that it can always be verified officially, as we explain in how to verify a nursing license.
Grow your career
Licensure is the beginning, not the end. Registered nurses build their careers through clinical experience, continuing education, and often by earning a BSN (if they started with an ADN) through an RN-to-BSN bridge. From there, many pursue certifications and specialties — critical care, paediatrics, oncology and more — or advance to become nurse practitioners, educators or nurse leaders with graduate study. The RN license opens a wide and durable range of career paths.
Key takeaways
To qualify as an RN: complete an approved ADN or BSN, apply to your board of nursing, register for and pass the NCLEX-RN, and receive your license. Choose your degree with your long-term goals in mind, start the licensure application early, and prepare for the NCLEX with a disciplined plan. Confirm your state’s specific requirements with your board of nursing and the NCSBN website, and beware anyone claiming you can shortcut the exam — you cannot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a registered nurse?
Complete an approved nursing program (an ADN or BSN), graduate, apply for licensure with your state board of nursing, register for and pass the NCLEX-RN, and receive your RN license.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse?
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) typically takes about two years and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) about four years, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN.
Do I need a BSN to become an RN?
No. You can become an RN with either an ADN or a BSN, but many employers prefer or require a BSN, and it opens more advancement opportunities.
What exam do I take to become an RN?
You must pass the NCLEX-RN, the national licensure examination administered by the NCSBN, to become a registered nurse.