Colorado Nursing FAQ's
Nursing FAQ's
Information on Application, Renewal and Licensure Requirements
Q: My application has been submitted for program review, what happens now?
A: The Program Review process, from a high level, is outlined below:
- The Board review process typically takes a minimum of three weeks.
- If warranted Board staff will send you an email request for additional documents. Please respond promptly. A delayed response will delay review of your application.
- The Board meets once a month.
- Board Meeting times are listed on our website.
- Board staff will send final correspondence via email within 14 days after the Board Meeting.
Q: Can I perform services on the public while my application is pending?
A: No. You may not practice until your license has been issued.
Q: How much does it cost to get a nursing license?
A. Fees can change and may differ for new graduates, endorsement applicants, and renewals. You will want to look at the current fee on the application you intend to submit.
Q: Do I need to renew a license in retired or inactive status?
A: Yes. Inactive and Retired status licenses must be renewed each renewal cycle.
Q: Can RN students work as nurses at hospitals?
A. No. Nursing students are not authorized to practice nursing outside of their clinical education in a Board-approved education program.
Q: Can I work as a nurse after graduating from a program prior to passing an exam?
A: No. Once you have graduated and are no longer performing clinical education as part of your program you must obtain a license to practice. A graduate may not work as a nurse until issued a license in Colorado.
Q: Can nurses practice without supervision?
A: Depending on the nursing license type, answers are provided below:
- The practice of a professional nursing does not require direct supervision in the performance of independent nursing functions as they are performed within accepted practice standards. Delegated medical functions are performed under the responsible direction and supervision of a person licensed under the laws of this state to practice medicine, podiatry and dentistry.
- The practice of practical nursing is under the supervision of a dentist, physician, podiatrist, or professional nurse authorized to practice in the state.
- The practice of a nurse aide is under the supervision of a physician, podiatrist, professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, or other licensed or certified healthcare professional acting within the scope of his or her practice.
- Nursing Student Externs practice under the direct supervision of a licensed Registered Nurse
- APN practice does not require supervision. Independent nursing functions performed by RNs do not require supervision; however, supervision is required for RNs performing a delegated medical functions. Supervision is required for LPN and CNA practice.
Q: Do I need a license to inject Botox?
A: The Board of Nursing does not regulate Botox injections. The Board of Nursing does regulate the scope of nursing practice for RNs. LPNs and APNs. Botox injections may be within the RN and APN scope of practice as a delegated medical function assuming the RN or APN has the knowledge, judgment and ability to perform Botox injections with reasonable skill and safety to the patient and within accepted standards of practice. Botox injections are not within the LPN scope of practice.
Q: Do I need a license to administer prescription drugs to a patient?
A: RNs and LPNs are authorized to administer prescription drugs pursuant to an order or prescription issued by a licensed healthcare provider who is authorized to prescribe in Colorado.
Q: Do I need a license to teach nursing classes?
A: RNs are authorized to teach nursing tasks or nursing functions. LPNs are not authorized to teach nursing tasks or functions.
Q: Do I need a license to use cosmetic lasers?
A: The Board of Nursing does not regulate the use of cosmetic lasers. The Board of Nursing does regulate the scope of nursing practice for RNs and LPNs. Use of cosmetic lasers may be within the RN scope of practice as a delegated medical function assuming the RN has the knowledge, judgment and ability to perform the service with reasonable skill and safety to the patient and within accepted standards of practice. Use of cosmetic lasers is not within the LPN scope of practice.
Q: Do I need a license to perform facial abrasions?
A: The Board of Nursing does not regulate esthetic services. The Board of Nursing does regulate the scope of nursing practice for RNs and LPNs. Performing facial abrasion may be within the RN scope of practice as a delegated medical function assuming the RN has the knowledge, judgment and ability to perform the service with reasonable skill and safety to the patient and within accepted standards of practice. Performing facial abrasions is not with the LPN scope of practice.
Q: Do I need a license to take care of a relative?
A: The Colorado Nurse Practice Act and Nurse Aide Act does not prohibit RNs, LPNs or CNAs from caring for family members.
Q: How do marijuana laws apply to my nursing practice?
A: Marijuana remains a controlled substance. The Board of Nursing may discipline nurses who test positive for the use of marijuana in Colorado.
Q: Can a APRN with RXN authority prescribe medical marijuana?
A: No. Advanced Practice Nurses cannot prescribe medical marijuana with or without prescriptive authority.
Information on Exams and the NCLEX
Q: If I apply for licensure in another state, where can I take in the test in Colorado?
A: The NCLEX test locations can be found on the NCSBN.org website. You need to open the NCLEX tab at the top left on the homepage. You can find the test sites closest to you by entering your zip code. The three Pearson Professional Centers in Colorado are located in:
- Greenwood Village, CO
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Westminster, CO
Q. I failed the NCLEX exam, what should I do?
A. The State Board of Nursing in Colorado allows applicants applying for original license by examination 3 opportunities to be successful on the NCLEX within 3 years of the first time the applicant took the exam. Applicants who are not successful on the exam are permitted to retake the exam after 45 days of the last exam. If you have failed an exam, it is important that you prepare for the next exam by taking NCLEX preparation courses and/or by obtaining help to deal with the issues that are interfering with your success. Applicants that fail the NCLEX three times are permitted to petition the Board to request authorization to take the test a fourth time, as long as it is still within the three years since you took the exam the first time. The written petition needs to include your self-evaluation of why you are not passing the NCLEX exam and then provide details of what you are doing to deal with the issues that you have identified. Applicants who have not been successful on the NCLEX within three years will have their application to the Board expired. Registered nurse applicants that are graduates of a Board-approved professional nursing education program may at any time choose to apply for a practical nurse license, which, if successful, will get you into the workforce. Applicants that have not passed the NCLEX within three years may also go to the NCSBN.org website and find a state that you meet their requirements for licensure and apply for licensure in that state. Once you are successful with the NCLEX and obtain a license in another state, you can apply to Colorado for licensure by endorsement.
Q: Can I take the NCLEX exam before graduation from a nursing program?
A: No. You cannot take the NCLEX exam before you graduate. You must be a graduate of a board approved nursing education program in the state in which the program is located. You are required to apply to the Board for original license by examination and upload an official transcript documenting the date of graduation and the degree conferred.
Q: I haven't received my Authorization to Test for the NCLEX. What do I do?
A: Once you have registered with and paid the exam fee to take the NCLEX, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Then the licensing specialist at the State Board of Nursing in Colorado makes you eligible to test if you have met the application requirements (submitted an application, paid the fee, shown the requisite education, and English competency - if required). If you have requested ADA accommodations, Pearson VUE will not send the Authorization to Test (ATT) until your accommodations request have been determined. You may need to call Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services at 1.866.496.2539, Mon–Fri, 7 am–7 pm, U.S. Central Standard Time (CST) to check into any delays.
Q: How do I locate NCLEX test centers?
A: Test location information for each license type is listed below:
- RN and LPN Applicants: The NCLEX test locations can be found on the NCSBN.org website. The three Pearson Professional Centers in Colorado are located in:
- Greenwood Village, CO
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Westminster, CO
- LPT (DD & MI) Applicants: Test locations can be found in the Exam Scheduling section of the The Candidate Handbook.
- CNA Applicants: Test locations can be found by contacting Credentia NA.
- Medication Aide Applicants: Test locations can be found by contacting Credentia MAA.
Q: I need accommodations for testing. How do I apply for them?
A: Applicants applying online are asked if test accommodations are needed. If the applicant answers yes, they are directed to the link to the Test Accommodations Form. Once the form is completed. it can be uploaded into the applicant’s application.
You can also find the Test Accommodations Forms with instructions on what the Board needs on the Nursing homepage under the Applications and Forms button. The “Test Accommodation Request Form” is found under the application materials listed.
Q: What constitutes a professional candidate who may answer the second part of the accommodations form?
A: A professional candidate is one who is a licensed or otherwise properly credentialed individual familiar with the candidate and possessing expertise in the disability for which test accommodations are sought.
Q: Can I challenge the practical nursing exam with my military training?
A: The Board will evaluate your military training and experience for equivalency to the required practical nursing education. The current education requirements for practical nursing education is 300 clock hours of theory and 400 clock hours of clinical to include medical surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, obstetric nursing, psychiatric/ mental health nursing and intravenous therapy. Contact the Nursing Board at dora_nursingboard@state.co.us to have your military transcripts and job duty assignments evaluated.
Information on Education and Training Programs
Q: What is the difference between a traditional and non-traditional nursing program?
A: The definition of a non-traditional nursing education program can be found in 1.1 Licensing Rules. A non-traditional nursing education program is a nursing education program with curricula that does not include a faculty supervised clinical component taught in clinical settings and taught concurrently with the theory component. For example, a program that teaches the theory of an adult medical surgical course but has no required adult medical surgical clinical practice in a clinical setting. A traditional nursing education program provides theory and concurrent clinical experience, so students have the opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills learned in the specialty area and then be evaluated by faculty to determine competence for safe and effective practice.
Q: Will the board accept online graduate programs to become an Advanced Practice Nurse?
A. The Board will accept online graduate programs accredited by a nursing accrediting body.
Q: What Nurse Aide training programs are approved by the Board?
A. The Board maintains a list of the approved nurse aide training programs on its website. This list can be found on the Nursing homepage via the Nursing Education button.
Q: How do I verify education?
A: Applicants needing to verify education must obtain transcripts or certificates from the school/ program that you attended. Official transcripts are used to verify education in academic institutions. For closed academic programs in Colorado, graduates need to contact the Colorado Department of Higher Education OR Colorado Department of Private Occupational Schools to obtain transcripts.
For Nurse Aides, training programs provide Certificates to successful graduates. Graduates should maintain their original certificates, as the Nurse Aide Training programs only maintain records for two years.
Information on Training Completed Outside of the United States
Q: My training is from outside the United States or Puerto Rico, how do I obtain a Nursing license?
A: You must first obtain an equivalency evaluation of your degree through a reputable credentialing service. The most popular service for nurses is CGFNS. You may also be required to submit proof of English proficiency by taking a test of English as a Foreign Language. Once your evaluation is completed, you can complete an online nursing application. Instructions will prompt you to enter information related to foreign applicants and/or foreign-educated applicants. Applicants from U.S. territories are not considered to be foreign educated provided that they graduated from a U.S. accredited nursing program.
Q: Can I work as a Certified Nurse Aide if I’ve been trained as a nurse outside the U.S.?
A: To work as a Certified Nurse Aide in Colorado you must be certified in Colorado. If you have five semester hours of fundamentals of nursing, or its equivalent on your English-translated transcript, you meet the educational requirements. You must be legally present in the U.S. and you must pass the certification exam.
Information on Criminal/Disciplinary History
Q: I have a criminal history. Will it prevent me from getting licensed in Colorado?
A: A criminal history does not automatically disqualify you from having a nursing license, being a certified nurse aide, or psychiatric technician in Colorado. You will want to answer the screening questions on the application and the Board will review your situation on a case-by-case basis.
Q: I have a criminal history, does it have to be reported to the Healthcare Professions Profile (HPPP)?
A: Criminal convictions, as well as information on disciplinary actions in Colorado and other states must be reported. Anytime there is a change to the information in your profile, you are required to update the information. Even if a Colorado Board took action, individuals are responsible for ensuring the information in their profile is reflected correctly and that the program has a copy of the documentation. You must also notify your Board or program of actions taken in another state. A copy of the final action must be provided to the HPPP because it must be available for viewing on your profile.
Q: I have pending discipline in another state, does it need to be reported?
A: Yes. You will be prompted to report pending discipline in another state when applying for a new license, reinstating an expired license, and/or during the renewal period.
Q: Do I have to report criminal convictions to the Nursing Board?
A: Yes. You must report criminal convictions to the Board of Nursing within 45 days.
Q: Does an employer have a duty to report internal discipline on a nurse to the Board?
A: A criminal history does not automatically disqualify you from having a nursing license, being a certified nurse aide, or psychiatric technician in Colorado. You will want to answer the screening questions on the application and the Board will review your situation on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Are copies of disciplinary actions taken against licensees available?
A: Yes, licenses can be verified along with any disciplinary records and documents on the DPO Online Service System. Please ensure you read the instructions on this page to allow for a proper search of the records.
Information on Continued Competency and Continued Education
Q: Is Continuing Education required to renew a Nursing license?
A: Continuing education hours are not currently required in order to renew a Registered Nurse, Practical Nurse, Nurse Aide Certification, or Psychiatric Technician license in Colorado.
Q: Are there specific Continuing Education requirements for APRNs?
A. There are no additional continuing education requirements other than what is required to maintain professional certification.
Q: Is evidence of Continued Competency required for endorsements, reinstatements and reactivations? How do I demonstrate that?
A. If you have not worked on an active nursing license in the last two years you are required to demonstrate continued competency. Continued competency can be demonstrated by successful completion of a refresher course. Board-recognized refresher courses can be found on the website under the nursing education link located under the Resources heading on the Nursing Homepage. Note: If you do not have an active license to practice in Colorado, you cannot do the clinical portion of the refresher course until you obtain a Refresher Course-only license from the Board.
Q: Is there a Continued Competency requirement for Nurse Aides to renew their certificate?
A: A Certified Nurse Aide must work a minimum of eight hours of paid service as a Certified Nursing Assistant each renewal cycle, which is mandated by the Nurse Practice Act.
Q: Is there an exemption for Continued Competency requirements for active duty military and/or their spouses?
A: If requirements set forth in Section 12-70-102, Colorado Revised Statutes, are established, and required documents are submitted and verified, exemptions of renewal fees and of continuing education/professional competency requirements, where applicable, are possible. More information can be found on the DPO Military/Veterans homepage.
Information on Complaints
Q: There is a complaint against my license. What do I do?
A. If the Board has received a complaint against your license, it will send you a letter to inquire about the allegations in the complaint. As instructed in the Board’s letter, you must submit a response along with any other supporting documentation on or before the due date that is provided in the letter. Your case will then be prepared for review by Board members at the next available monthly meeting.
Q: How do I make a complaint against a hospital or urgent care facility?
A: The Colorado Board of Nursing does not have jurisdiction over facilities. The Board only has jurisdiction over individual Nurses, Nurse Aides, and Psychiatric Technicians.
Q: How can I find out the substance of complaints against a nurse?
A. Complaints are confidential unless the Board has taken disciplinary actions. Final actions are reported on the DORA website.
Information on Peer Assistance Services
Q: How can I contact Peer Assistance Services?
A. You can contact Peer Assistance Services (PAS) by calling 303-369-0039 or toll-free at 866-369-0039. You may also email them at info@peerassist.org, or submit an online request for PAS staff to contact you by visiting Peer Assistance Services.
Q: When should I contact PAS?
A: If you are a licensed RN or LPN and are experiencing physical, emotional, psychological and/or substance abuse problems you are encouraged to contact PAS to discuss your situation and to embrace the support of the program. Employers, co-workers, or family members of affected licensed professionals may also contact PAS for support and/or guidance.