Want to know how to become a registered nurse in North Carolina?
We’re here to help!
Whether you are fresh from high school, mid-way through another course, or a professional in another field, it’s not a bad idea to become an RN!
Becoming an RN in the state opens up many career opportunities, so if you’re looking to start your career in nursing, now is the chance.
Sure, you might have to spend a few years studying to be a nurse, but the whole process may not be as tedious or overwhelming as you think.
We’ve simplified the process of how to become an RN in North Carolina into 4 simple steps. We’ve also included a short FAQ section to help you with other common questions.
Follow the steps below to help you navigate the application process and reach your dreams!
Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s dive in!
How to Become a Registered Nurse in North Carolina in 4 Steps
As we told you initially, the application process is not complicated, despite what other people may think. It only takes a few steps to become a registered nurse in North Carolina:
- Graduate from a Nursing Education Program
- Apply for an Exam Application Online
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
- Complete the Criminal Background Check
In the following sections, we’ll go into detail about each step.
But before we proceed…
Are you already an RN in another state? If so, your process for becoming an RN is different.
If you are an RN from a state that is part of the nursing license compact, then you can practice in North Carolina without filing for endorsement. North Carolina is a nursing license compact state!
But if you are from a state that is not license compact, you can find out how to apply for a License by Endorsement by checking the requirements here.
Having said that, let’s proceed to the step-by-step process of becoming an RN.
How to Become an RN in North Carolina Step #1: Graduate from a Nursing Education Program
The first step to becoming a registered nurse in North Carolina is to attend a state-approved nursing education program.
However, if this is your first time applying for a license, you have to go through a License by Examination process where you have to take the NCLEX.
There are two RN programs that you can choose from: ADN and BSN.
ADN vs. BSN: What’s the Best Program For You?
The most striking difference between an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) and a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is the length of time it takes to study. The ADN takes two years, while the BSN takes four years.
The ADN is a shorter program because it focuses on technical nursing skills such as chart monitoring and updating. It also teaches you basic medical procedures.
However, the ADN lacks the holistic approach to healthcare, which includes research, laboratory practice, management, and public health. This is what BSN stands out in.
The BSN, a four-year program, gives you a more in-depth understanding and practice, plus an ability to understand management concepts. Hence, those who graduate with a BSN degree are allowed to take management positions.
When it comes to choosing which program is best for you, the best program would be where your career goal is aligned.
In this case, if you want to pursue management roles in the future, a BSN program would be beneficial for you. But if you want to graduate early and become an RN in 2-3 years, the ADN is the ideal track.
But whatever you choose, just make sure your school is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
How to Become an RN in North Carolina Step #2: Apply for an Exam Application Online
Once you graduate, the next thing you have to do is apply for the NCLEX. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Create an account at the Nurse Gateway.
- Choose ‘Exam Application’ and fill up the required information.
- Complete the other parts of the application, such as passing your Electronic School Verification or Official Transcript Copies to the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
- Pay the exam application fee of $75. This fee is non-refundable.
After paying online, wait up to five business days for your application to be verified. You will receive an email granting you a verification to proceed to apply for the NCLEX.
How to Become an RN in North Carolina Step #3: Pass the NCLEX-RN
Once you’re approved to take the NCLEX, you have to apply separately to PearsonVue, the company handling the NCLEX.
To apply for the RN exams, follow these steps:
- Make sure that you are verified by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. If you’re not, go back to step 2 to complete the application.
- Once you are verified, go to NCLEX.com.
- Create an account at PearsonVue.
- Choose your schedule and testing venue.
- Pay the exam fee of $200 online.
After paying, you will receive an email confirming your test date and venue. This should only take a few days.
Once you get the final details, proceed to your testing site on the day of the exams. Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early to have ample time to settle down.
The test results are finalized 4-6 weeks from your exam date, so wait for the results by email during this period.
How to Become an RN in North Carolina Step #4: Complete the Criminal Background Check
The final step is to complete a criminal background check as mandated by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Here are the steps for your CBC application:
- Log in to the Nurse Gateway using the same credentials you used in applying for the NCLEX.
- Click the ‘Live Scan’ application.
- Print the forms you need for your fingerprint scanning and pay the application fee of $38.
- Contact your local Sheriff’s office to schedule a date to do your Live Scan in their venue.
- Complete the live scanning of your fingerprints.
- The Sheriff’s office will transmit your fingerprints to the Board of Nursing.
Wait for your fingerprints to be verified and cleared. Once you complete this and pass the NCLEX, you can now get a license as a registered nurse in North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Registered Nurse in North Carolina
Now that you know how to become an RN in North Carolina, let’s answer a few common questions.
How much does it cost to become an RN in North Carolina?
The total fee for the whole application process is $313, where $200 is for the NCLEX, $38 is for the Criminal Background Check, and $75 is for the Exam Application done at the Nurse Gateway.
How long is the nursing program in North Carolina?
If you’re taking the ADN, it’s two years, but it’s four years if you’re taking the BSN.
How long is a North Carolina nursing license good for?
It’s valid for two years, during which you need to have 15 hours of continuing education units and 640 hours of active practice.
How much does an RN earn in North Carolina?
An RN in North Carolina earns an annual median of $72,220, or an average hourly wage of $34.72.
Helpful Resources for North Carolina RNs
- North Carolina Board of Nursing Website (Official)
- Information for RN Applicants (Official)
- North Carolina RN Continuing Education Requirements (Official)
- Associate Degree Programs (ADNS) Approved by North Carolina BON
- Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BSNs) approved by North Carolina BON
List of Associate Degree Programs (ADNs) in North Carolina
Here’s a list of ADN programs approved by the North Carolina BON:
Alamance Community
College
PO Box 8000
Graham, NC 27253
(336) 438-9597
Asheville-Buncombe
Technical Community College
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 398-7900
Beaufort County Community
College
5337 US Highway 264 East
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-6194
Bladen Community College
PO Box 266
Dublin, NC 28332
(910) 879-5500
Blue Ridge Community
College
180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
+1 828-694-1700
Brunswick Community
College
PO Box 30
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 755-7300
Cabarrus College of Health
Sciences
401 Medical Park Drive
Concord, NC 28025
+1 704-403-1555
Caldwell Community College
and Technical Institute
2855 Hickory Boulevard
Hudson, NC 28638
+1 828-726-2200
Cape Fear Community
College
411 North Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 362-7000
Carolinas College of Health
Sciences
2110 Water Ridge Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28217
+1 704-355-5043
Carteret Community College
3505 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-6000
Catawba Valley Community
College
2550 Hwy 70 SE
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-7000
Central Carolina Community
College
1815 Nash Street
Sanford, NC 27330
+1 919-718-7275
Central Piedmont Community
College
PO Box 35009
Charlotte, NC 28235
704-330-2722
Cleveland Community
College
137 South Post Road
Shelby, NC 28152
704-669-6000
Coastal Carolina Community
College
444 Western Boulevard
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-1221
College of The Albemarle
1208 North Road Street
Elizabeth City 27906
252-335-0821
Craven Community College
800 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 638-7200
Davidson-Davie Community
College
PO Box 1287
Lexington, NC 27293
+1 336-249-8186
Durham Technical
Community College
1637 Lawson Street
Durham, NC 27703
919-536-7200
ECPI University – Charlotte
4800 Airport Center Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28208
1844-334-4466
ECPI University – Raleigh
4101 Doie Cope Road
Raleigh, NC 27613
1844-334-4466
Edgecombe Community
College
225 Tarboro Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
(252) 824-3902
Fayetteville Technical
Community College
2201 Hull Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303
(910) 500-0171
Forsyth Technical Community
College
2100 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston Salem, NC 27103
336-723-0371
Galen College of Nursing
30 Town Square Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28803
+1 828-209-2509
Gardner-Webb University
PO Box 7309
Boiling Springs, NC 28017
(704) 406-4000
Gaston Community College
201 Hwy 321 South
Dallas, NC 28034
704-922-6200
Guilford Technical Community
College
601 East Main Street
Jamestown, NC 27282
336.334.4822
Halifax Community College
PO Box Drawer 809
Weldon, NC 27890
252-536-2551
Isothermal Community
College
PO Box 804
Spindale, NC 28160
+1 828-286-3636
James Sprunt Community
College
PO Box 398
Kenansville, NC 28349
(910) 275-6124
Johnston Community College
PO Box 2350
Smithfield, NC 27577
+1 919-934-3051
Lenoir Community College
231 North Carolina Hwy 58, Kinston, NC 28504, United States
+1 252-527-6223
McDowell Technical
Community College
54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
A
828-652-6021
Mayland Community College
PO Box 547
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
828-766-1291
Mitchell Community College
500 West Broad Street
Statesville, NC 28677
+1 704-878-3200
Montgomery Community
College
1011 Page Street
Troy, NC 27371
877-572-6222
Nash Community College
PO Box 7488
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 443-4011
Piedmont Community College
PO Box 1197
Roxboro, NC 27573|
(336) 599-1181
Pitt Community College
PO Drawer 7007
Greenville, NC 28590
252-493-7200
Randolph Community College
629 Industrial Park Drive
Asheboro, NC 27205
336-633-0200
Region A Nursing Consortium
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721
828-627-2821
Richmond Community
College
1042 West Hamlet Avenue
Hamlet, NC 28345
+1 910-410-1700
Roanoke-Chowan Community
College
109 Community College Road
Ahoskie, NC 27910
(252) 862-1200
Robeson Community College
5160 Fayetteville Road
Lumberton, NC 28360
910-272-3700
Rockingham Community
College
PO Box 38
Wentworth, NC 27375
336-342-4261
Rowan-Cabarrus Community
College
399 Biotechnology Lane
Salisbury, NC 28083
704-216-7222
Sampson Community College
1801 Sunset Avenue
Clinton, NC 28329
910.592.8081
Sandhills Community College
3395 Airport Road
Pinehurst, NC 28374
910-692-6185 | 800-338-3944
South Piedmont Community
College
4209 Old Charlotte Highway
Monroe, NC 28110
704-290-5100
Southeastern Community
College
PO Box 151
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-7141
Southwestern Community
College
447 College Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
+1 828-586-4091 ext. 269
Stanly Community College
102 Stanly Parkway
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 888-8848
Surry Community College
630 S. Main Street
Dobson, NC 27017
(336) 386-8121
Vance-Granville Community
College
PO Box 917
Henderson, NC 27536
(252) 492-2061
Wake Technical Community
College
2901 Holston Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610
+1 919-747-0400
Wilson Community College
PO Box 4305
Wilson, NC 27893
919-807-7100
Wayne Community College
3000 Wayne Memorial Drive
Goldsboro, NC 27534
919.735.5151
Western Piedmont
Community College
1001 Burkemont Avenue
Morganton, NC 28655
+1 828-448-3500
Wilkes Community College
1328 S Collegiate Drive
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
336-838-6100
Visit the North Carolina BON website for updates.
List of Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BSNs) in North Carolina
Here’s a list of BSN programs approved by the North Carolina BON:
Appalachian State University
ASU Box 32151
730 Rivers Street
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-8003
Barton College
PO Box 5000
Wilson, NC 27893
800-345-4973 | 252-399-6300
Belmont Abbey College
100 Belmont Mount Holly
Road Belmont, NC 28012
1-704-461-6700
Campbell University
PO Box 1090
Buies Creek, NC 27506
(800) 334-4111
Catawba College
2300 West Innes Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
1.800.CATAWBA
Chamberlain University
2015 Ayrsley Town Boulevard
Suite 204
Charlotte, NC 28273
877.751.5783
Duke University
307 Trent Drive
DUMC 3322
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-3786
East Carolina University
4205 L Health Sciences Bldg
Greenville, NC 27858
252.744.6433
Elon University
100 Campus Drive
Elon, NC 27244
336-278-2000
Fayetteville State University
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301
+1 910-672-1111
Galen College of Nursing
30 Town Square Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28803
+1 828-209-2509
Gardner-Webb University
PO Box 7309
Boiling Springs, NC 28017
(704) 406-4000
High Point University
One University Parkway
High Point, NC 27268
(800) 345-6993 | (336) 841-9000
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Box 7292
Hickory, NC 28603
828-328-741
Mars Hill University
PO Box 6678
Mars Hill, NC 28754
1-866-642-4968
Methodist University
5400 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, NC 28311
910-630-7000
North Carolina A&T State
University
1601 E. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27411
336-334-7500
North Carolina Central
University
1801 Fayetteville Street
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 530-6100
Northeastern University
2151 Hawkins Street
Charlotte, NC 28203
980-224-8467
Pfeiffer University
PO Box 960
48380 Hwy 52 North
Misenheimer, NC 28109
800-338-2060
Queens University of
Charlotte
1900 Selwyn Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28274
704-337-2200
St. Andrews University
1700 Dogwood Mile
Laurinburg, NC 28352
(910) 277-5555
South College
140 Sweeten Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 398-2500
South University
3975 Premier Drive
High Point 27265
(855-884-2408)
University of Mount Olive
634 Henderson Street
Mount Olive, NC 28365
1-800-653-0854
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill
CB #7460 Carrington Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
+1 919-962-2211
University of North Carolina at
Charlotte
9201 University City
Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28223
704-687-8622
University of North Carolina at
Greensboro
PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402
336-334-5000
University of North Carolina at
Pembroke
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
910-521-6000
University of North Carolina
Wilmington
601 S. College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.962.3000
Watts College of Nursing
2828 Croasdaile Drive
Suite 200
Durham, NC 27705
+1-919-470-7348
Western Carolina University
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
828-227-7211
Wingate University
PO Box 159
Wingate, NC 28174
(704) 233-8125
Winston-Salem State
University
601 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Drive Winston Salem, NC 27110
336-750-2000
Visit the North Carolina BON website for updates.
In Summary
It’s a great idea to become an RN in North Carolina!
If you follow our guide, you can already get your license in just a few years!
So what are you waiting for?
Choose between an ADN or BSN degree, enroll in a state-approved school, register for a license online, pass the NCLEX, and complete a Criminal Background check!
We hope you found this article helpful!
We’re cheering for you.