How to become a nurse in Ohio
Ohio licenses nurses through the Ohio Board of Nursing. The route is the same for every state: finish an approved program, apply to the board, pass the NCLEX, then renew on schedule. This page covers what is specific to Ohio.
The steps
Finish a board-approved nursing program
Choose the level you want to start at: a practical nursing certificate (about a year), an associate degree (about two years) or a bachelor's degree (about four). Ohio has 46 bachelor's, 48 associate degree and 84 practical nursing programs in our data. Compare BSN programs in Ohio.
Apply to the board for a license by examination
You apply to the Ohio Board of Nursing before you can test. The board's fee for registered nurses is $75. Expect a fingerprint background check.
Register for and pass the NCLEX
The NCLEX-RN (or NCLEX-PN for practical nursing) is the national licensing exam. Registration costs $200 through Pearson VUE, rising to $350 for registrations from February 1, 2027. The exam asks between 85 and 150 questions and allows 5 hours. 84.1% of Ohio graduates passed the NCLEX-RN on their first try in 2025, against 86.7% nationally in 2025. NCLEX pass rates in Ohio.
Receive your license, then keep it current
Licenses renew every 2 years, with continuing education required (details in the table below).
Working in more than one state
Ohio is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, in effect since January 1, 2023. A nurse whose home state is Ohio can hold one multistate license and practice in other compact states.
Source: Nurse Licensure Compact
Ohio licensing at a glance
| Licensing board | Ohio Board of Nursing | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Board application fee, RN by exam | $75Non-refundable Board application fee for licensure by examination, paid online in eLicense; the State also charges an eLicense transaction fee. Source is the Board's 2021 sample application; current fee schedule page was unreachable. | Source |
| Board application fee, LPN by exam | $75Same as RN; plus eLicense transaction fee. Source is the Board's 2021 sample application. | Source |
| Fingerprint background check | YesBCI (state) and FBI (federal) fingerprint-based criminal records checks required for all applicants. | Source |
| State law exam (jurisprudence) | Not requiredNo exam; instead each renewal (after the first) requires at least 1 contact hour of 'Category A' CE on the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and Board rules. | Source |
| License renewal | Every 2 years24 contact hours per renewal including at least 1 hour of Category A (Ohio law and rules); none required for the first renewal after licensure by NCLEX. RNs renew in odd years and LPNs in even years, deadline October 31. | Source |
Board fees are separate from the NCLEX registration fee paid to Pearson VUE. Fees and rules change; confirm with the board before you apply.
Good to know in Ohio
- Programs are benchmarked at 95% of the national first-time NCLEX pass rate; programs below it for consecutive years face action up to provisional approval (source: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/nursing.ohio.gov/uploads/EDU_Annual_NCLEX%20Reports/OBN%20PASS%20RATE%20REPORT/2025_Pass_Rate_Report.pdf)
- Late renewals between September 16 and October 31 incur a late fee; an unrenewed license lapses November 1 (source: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/nursing.ohio.gov/uploads/2020/06/Application-Instructions-LPN-Renewal.pdf)
What nurses earn in Ohio
| Role | Median yearly pay | Employed in Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse | $82,510 | 143,730 |
| LPN or LVN | $61,950 | 39,900 |
| Nurse practitioner | $124,870 | 15,400 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. The median registered nurse in Ohio earns $15,040 less than the national median of $97,550.