Nursing License Requirements in Vermont: Become a Nurse in Vermont!
The Vermont State Board of Nursing licenses LPNs and RNs. The National Nursing Database reports that Vermont has 14,614 RNs and 2,151 LPNs. Vermont is not part of the nurse compact. Nurses are licensed by examination or endorsement.
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- I am looking for Certified Nursing Assistant Requirements in Vermont.
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- I am looking for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license requirements in Vermont.
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Nursing Loans and Scholarships in VT
The state of Vermont has programs to offer incentive loans to nursing students and loan forgiveness to nurses (http://healthvermont.gov/rural/programs.aspx). Additional scholarships are available at the program level.
The Vermont State Nurses’ Association is a professional organization serving the state’s registered nurse . Other organizations to be aware of are the Vermont Nurses in Partnership (http://www.vnip.org/), which supports the transition from student to nurse, and the state nursing workforce center (http://www.vthealthcareers.org/). The workforce center releases reports periodically. The 2012 report provided details about the state’s LPNs – everything from work setting to geographical distribution.
The state workforce center reports that becoming licensed as a nursing assistant during college, and participating in the Student Nurse/LNA program, can offer experience that will be helpful after graduation.
LPN Requirements in Vermont
Education
The prospective LPN should enroll in an approved program. There is currently just one approved practical nursing program in the state, at Vermont Technical College. It is, however, offered at five locations. There are other options, however, in nearby states.
It is important to find a program that will qualify you for licensure. Read “Choosing an LPN program in Vermont” to make sure you are on the right track.
Applying for LPN Licensure
After the candidate completes program requirements, the student will fill out the top part of the education verification form and then give it to an official at the school to complete.
The candidate will register with the testing company, Pearson, and pay a $200 fee (http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/). The candidate will also submit an application to the Vermont Board (https://www.sec.state.vt.us/professional-regulation/list-of-professions/nursing/licensed-practical-nurses.aspx).
The application costs $90. If the candidate applies right after graduation/ program completion, the candidate may be issued a temporary permit which will allow them to work pending results of the NCLEX-PN. The candidate will schedule the exam after the ATT comes in the mail (or email).
The nursing workforce report notes that pass rates have ranged from 93% to 100% over the prior eight years. If a candidate fails a first exam attempt, though, the candidate will lose the privilege of working under a temporary permit. The candidate may submit a retake application and a $30 fee. If the candidate fails again, the candidate will be required to take a NCLEX review course before retaking. The same goes for a third or fourth failure – except that the requirement must be met through a different review course. Any candidate who has still not passed will need to contact the Board if the candidate is interested in pursuing a nursing career.
Out of State LPNs
A nurse who is, or has been, licensed in another state can apply by endorsement. On the application, the nurse will list the employment for the prior five years. If the candidate worked in a private capacity, or is claiming work done as a volunteer, the candidate will need to provide additional verification. The candidate will need to provide license verification from the state where the candidate was first licensed as well as the one where the candidate was most recently employed as a nurse. If the candidate has a current license, the candidate may be issued a temporary permit which will allow them to get started a little sooner. The candidate will need a photocopy of the current license. The quickest way to get the permit is to show up at the Board office during walk-through hours.
If a nurse does not have the requisite experience but is a relatively recent graduate, the candidate will need to verify the education. The fee to apply by endorsement is $150.
If an LPN has been out of school five or more years but does not have sufficient recent experience, the candidate will need to do a re-entry course that meets Board requirements for theory and clinical practice. The candidate will need a permit for this purpose. There is an application form on the Board site; it should be submitted with a $25 fee.
RN License Requirements in Vermont
Education
The prospective RN should enroll in an approved program. There are approved in-state programs at the associate’s and baccalaureate levels.
Read more here: “Choosing an RN program in Vermont“.
Click Here for a list of approved nursing education programs in Vermont.
Applying for RN Licensure
After graduation, the candidate will have the school fill out a verification of education. (Transcripts are only required for out-state schools.)
The candidate will need a 2 by 2 photo (other than the one used in the driver’s license) for the application packet. The candidate will also need a $90 fee.
A candidate has the option of beginning under a temporary permit if the candidate applies within 30 days of graduation (https://www.sec.state.vt.us/professional-regulation/list-of-professions/nursing/registered-nurses.aspx). The candidate must have on-site supervision by a registered nurse while under this status.
The candidate must apply separately to take the NCLEX-RN (http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/). This entails a $200 fee.
An ATT cannot be sent until it is determined the candidate has met requirements; it also can’t be sent until fees are paid. The Board recommends that candidates submit their registration even before the application.
A candidate who is not successful may retake the exam. The candidate will need to submit a retake application and $30 fee to the Vermont Board. After a second failure, though, a candidate must take a NCLEX review course.
RN by Endorsement
Endorsement is a quick process if the out-of-state nurse has relatively recent experience. Vermont has a practice requirement: 50 days, or 400 hours, in two years or 120 days, or 960 hours, in the prior five. If a candidate does not meet practice requirements, the candidate will need to complete a re-entry program that includes at least 120 hours each of nursing theory and clinical practice (https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/737152/RE-ENTRY-PROGRAMS-2016-0125.pdf). The Board asks that candidates check with them before beginning re-entry programs. The nurse must be supervised by an RN when working with patients. There is a form on the Board site that includes a skills checklist to be submitted to the Board at the conclusion of the program.
Vermont requires endorsement candidates to provide verification from both the most recent state of licensure and the state where the exam was first passed. In many cases, this can be done online through Nursys.com. If the state does not participate in the NURSYS database, a paper form will be required. This may take some time. In this case, a temporary permit can get the endorsement nurse working sooner.
Vermont accepts walk-in endorsement applicants on weekdays between 8:00 and 4:00. If everything is in order, the license or permit can be issued that same day. Otherwise, it may take 7 – 10 days from the time the candidate applies.
Internationally Educated Nurses
There are separate application forms for internationally educated nurses (https://www.sec.state.vt.us/professional-regulation/list-of-professions/nursing/international-nurses.aspx). These candidates will need a Vermont-specific credential report from one of two approved evaluation services: International Education Research Foundation or CGFNS International. This applies even to those that hold a Visa Screen or CGFNS certification.
Nursing applicants who did their nursing education in some language other than English need to demonstrate English proficiency.
The Board notes that a U.S. social security number is now a requirement for application.
Professional and Student Nursing Organizations in Vermont
Vermont State Board of Nursing
Vermont State Nurses Association
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