Texas LPN Licensing Guide

The Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) has served the public for over 100 years following its establishment in 1909. It regulates the safe practice of nursing and governs nursing licenses in Texas. TBON also provides approval for over 200 nursing education programs and provides nursing education and practice guidance to Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) currently licensed and practicing in the state (called Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in other states). The TBON enforces the Nursing Practice Act and Rules and Regulations by setting minimum nursing education and practice standards.

About

TBON stopped taking paper applications for Texas nursing licenses on May 29, 2020 and fully transitioned to an online application system on June 15, 2020. The online Texas Nurse Portal allows applicants to apply for multistate conversion and nurse licensure by examination, endorsement, or renewal; and make name, address, email, and employment information changes. However, applicants who graduated from a nursing education program outside the U.S. and don't have a Social Security number must apply using a paper application.

Renewal

TBON sends a license renewal notice at least 30 days before an LVN's license expires. Licensees should ensure their address and other contact information on file with TBON are correct to timely receive their Texas LVN license renewal notices. LVNs can't renew more than two months before the expiration date of their current Texas nursing license.

Nurses must submit an application for Texas LVN license renewal every two years, with the exception of their first renewal. An applicant's initial license may be valid for 6 to 29 months based on their birth month and year and the issue date of their initial license to align with future licensure periods. Subsequent licensure periods will last two years, with the expiration date falling on the last day of the nurse's birth month in odd-numbered years for those born in an odd-numbered year and in even-numbered years for those born in an even-numbered year.

When renewing, applicants must sign a statement attesting that they've completed their continued competency requirements. they must also report any criminal behavior, including any pending charges and adjudicated or probationary action. Nurses who don't renew before their expiration date result in having their license go into delinquent status.

• If the license remains delinquent for four years or less, they may reactivate their license by proving they've met continuing competency requirements within the two years immediately preceding their application for re-licensure and by meeting all other Board requirements.
• If it's been longer than four years, they must complete a refresher course, extensive orientation, or a Board-approved program of study. They must also complete the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and evidence of completion of 20 contact hours of acceptable continuing education in the two years immediately preceding their reactivation application.

Nurses must renew online unless their license has expired. They must download a paper form when renewing an expired license. Licensees are also ineligible to renew online if they:

• Have defaulted on a Texas-guaranteed student loan
• Haven't met the mandatory continuing nursing education (CNE) requirement
• Have been selected for a CNE audit
• Have been selected for a criminal background check and the process hasn't been completed
• Have declared a state besides Texas as their primary state of residence
• Have entered a license number and/or the last four digits of a Social Security Number that don't match the information on file

Continuing Education Requirements

To submit an application for Texas LVN license renewal, licensees must have completed 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education within the two years immediately preceding their renewal application or earned or renewed an approved national nursing certification in the applicant's area of nursing practice. Additional CNE requirements include:

• All nurses must complete a minimum of 2 CNE hours related to nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics before the end of every third licensing period.
  • This counts toward their 20 CNE requirement and must be fulfilled even if they've earned a national nursing certification.
  • CNE hours earned for this requirement count towards the LVN's required 20 CNE hours.
  • This is a one-time requirement required within two years of the initial date an LVN becomes employed in an ER setting.

  A BON-recognized credentialing agency or an affiliated entity must approve CNE programs. These include:

  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
  • American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
  • American College of Nurse Midwives
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center
  • Emergency Nurses Association
  • National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service
  • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
  • National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses
  • Colleges and Universities in the United States of America
  • Other State Boards of Nursing

  Nurses must maintain proof of CNE completion for six years. Licensees may use academic education courses that are part of a curriculum that leads to a nursing degree or are directly relevant to their area of nursing practice to meet CNE requirements. Proof of completion includes an official transcript with either a grade of C or better or a Pass designation in a pass/fail grading system.

  LVNs are exempt from most CNE requirements for their first renewal following initial licensure if they submit their initial renewal on time. The only exception is the Forensic Evidence Collection targeted CNE requirement, if applicable to the nurse's practice role. TBON will select some nurses to be audited for compliance with CNE requirements or a criminal background check. They must submit proof of CNE to the TBON office and the criminal background check must be completed before TBON will renew their license.

  Requirements

  Nursing Jurisprudence Examination

  All applicants must pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Examination (NJE) before being issued a permanent Texas LVN license. The NJE must be taken online and consists of 50 questions. Applicants must answer 75% of these questions correctly to be marked as passing the exam. This works out to a minimum of 38 correct answers for a passing grade. Applicants must complete the exam within two hours or they're marked as failing the exam. If an applicant fails the exam, they must take it again after at least 24 hours have passed. The NJE is an "open book" test, meaning applicants can access the TBON website and other resources to locate the answers. The fee for this exam shall not exceed $25.

  Fingerprinting Requirements

  All applicants for a Texas LVN license by endorsement or exam must complete a criminal background check. Applicants must submit fingerprints to be used to check criminal history records of the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The TXDPS contracts exclusively with MorphoTrust to provide statewide electronic fingerprinting for criminal background checks. TBON can't accept fingerprint cards or criminal background check results mailed by the applicant or results completed for another facility, even if the previous check was completed through the Texas DPS and the FBI. Applicants must submit their fingerprints to MorphoTrust 10 business days after TBON has received their Texas nursing license application.

  Texas Residents

  • Schedule an appointment to be electronically fingerprinted by MorphoTrust at one of their IdentoGo enrollment centers online or call 1-888-467-2080.
    • Scheduling an appointment online is the quickest route
    • When scheduling over the phone, MorhphoTrust will prompt the applicant for the Service Code (119TF2) found on the Texas Fingerprint Service Code form
    • Applicants aren't required to bring the Texas Fingerprint Service Code form to their appointment

    Applicants Outside Texas

    • Complete a FAST Pass Form, following the instructions for "Applicant Residing Outside of Texas"
    • Pre-enroll with MorphoTrust to submit fingerprint cards
      • Internet-based pre-enrollment is the quickest way to submit fingerprint cards
      • Schedule an appointment online
      • Click on “Pay for Ink Card Submission”
      • Complete all required fields on the following page
      • Complete the payment screen
      • Print the MorphoTrust Pre-Enrollment Confirmation document containing a barcode
      • Sign the waiver and complete contact information
      • Include the Texas Board of Nursing ORI – TX920440Z

      The current $41.95 fee for fingerprinting includes the cost of obtaining State and National Criminal History Record Information. Applicants may pay fingerprinting fees online with a credit card or onsite when having their fingerprints taken with a credit card or a business check or money order made payable to MorphoTrust USA. Personal checks and cash aren't accepted.

      Contact Information

      Texas Board of Nursing 1801 Congress Ave., Suite 10-200 Austin, TX 78701 [email protected] (512) 305-7400