Licensing and registration for registered nurses are handled at the state level in Utah by the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licencing. To become a registered nurse in Utah, you must complete a state-approved educational program. It should also be noted that nursing programs in Utah must receive national accreditation through the National League for Nursing in order to receive state approval. Completion of an RN program in Utah takes a minimum of two years.
As of 2017, the median hourly income for RNs in Utah was about $29.55, and the average annual income was about $63,050. This is lower than the average annual income of registered nurses in the United States at large.
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Health Workforce projects that by 2030, there will be an approximate labor surplus of 13.9% for registered nurses in the state of Utah.
Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licencing
The Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licencing handles licensing in the state of Utah. Types of licenses available in Utah include:
- Certified nursing assistant;
- Practical nursing;
- Advanced practice registered nurse;
- Registered nursing.
The Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licencing can be reached at 801-530-6628.
Registered Nurse Education Requirements
Certification as a registered nurse in Utah must be acquired at the state level through a state-approved educational program. The state approves such programs on an individual basis. Utah is home to many schools with accredited programs for registered nursing.
There are three degree pathways that can prepare a prospective RN for their certification exam:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN);
- Associate degree in nursing (ADN);
- Registered nursing (RN) diploma program.
BSNs are the most widely accepted by accrediting boards, while ADNs are typically quicker and cheaper to acquire. Meanwhile, an RN diploma program offers a lot of in-field experience, but the credibility of these programs is dependent on the institution, and therefore can vary widely. More and more states are leaning toward BSN programs as the standard educational requirement for RN licensure.
Foreign nurses who would like to gain licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Utah must submit proof of their citizenship, as well as a CGFNS Certificate and CES Professional Report indicating sufficient educational and licensure credentials. They must also fulfill at least one of the following requirements within five years of application:
- Completion of a nationally approved refresher course;
- A minimum of 960 hours of licensed nursing practice in the United States;
- Completion of a state-approved nursing program;
- Obtainment of a professional license upgrade;
- A minimum of 6,000 hours of in-field practice as a nurse within a U.S. state or a U.S. territory.
RN Licensure by Examination
All aspiring nurses must follow a licensure process which includes a state-approved examination following the fulfillment of their educational credentials. Individuals who are already licensed as an RN in another state or jurisdiction may need to follow the endorsement process detailed below.
Fingerprinting and Background Checks
Those applying for licensure as a registered nurse in Utah must submit two blue “Applicant” (Form FD-258) fingerprint cards with their licensing application. A list of approved fingerprinting services is available on the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licencing website. You will also need to include a $40 fee with the application to cover the cost of the necessary background checks (BCI and FBI).
Approved Exams
In Utah, individuals who wish to gain an RN license must pass an NCLEX examination. As of 2020, the exam registration fee was $200, and exams could be scheduled at any NCLEX testing location. Free practice questions are available to students to help them prepare for the exam.
Applying to Take a Certification Exam
In order to apply for the NCLEX-RN examination in Utah, you must register for and schedule your examination on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website. The fee to register is $200.
Applying for Licensure
Submit your application for licensure to:
Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
P.O. Box 146741
Salt Lake City UT 84114-6741.
The registered nursing application should be submitted during your final semester of formal nursing education, and include the following elements:
- An official transcript (either directly from the school or in an envelope sealed by the school);
- The two required fingerprint cards;
- A fee of $100, which includes the general application fee and the fingerprint processing fees.
RN Licensure by Endorsement (Out-of-State Applicants)
Utah is part of the nurse licensure compact. Therefore, individuals who are licensed as a registered nurse in another state that is part of the compact do not need a new license to practice in Utah, unless they intend to take up residence there.
Licensure by endorsement is an option that states often offer to out-of-state residents. To apply for licensure by endorsement in Utah, out-of-state RNs must:
- Provide proof of existing licensure;
- Complete the CGFNS qualifying exam;
- Complete the NCLEX exam ($200 fee);
- Provide proof of a CGFNS-conducted credential evaluation;
- Include the two required fingerprint cards;
- Submit a $100 fee, which includes the general application fee and fingerprint processing fees.
The application and additional materials should be sent to:
Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
P.O. Box 146741
Salt Lake City UT 84114-6741.
RN License Renewal
A registered nurse in Utah must renew their license by January 31 of odd-numbered years. The application processing fee is $60.
Continuing Education Requirements
The Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licencing website states the following concerning RN licensure:
“During the past 2 years, you must have completed licensed practice for at least 400 hours or licensed practice for at least 200 hours and completed 15 hours of approved continuing education or completed 30 hours of approved continuing education.”
Utah Nursing License Verification
Utah provides a Licensee Lookup and Verification System that allows the public to verify state-regulated professional licenses, including those of RNs.
