Or. Admin. Code § 851-031-0015 - Eligibility for Licensure by Examination for Graduates of Programs in the United States with a designated NCLEX®Program Code

(1) Graduation from an approved nursing program, as defined in ORS 678.040. If enrolled after January 1, 2022, the program must include a clinical component.

(a) An applicant for the practical nurse examination must show evidence of having graduated from a pre-licensure program preparing graduates for a Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse license or have graduated from the Air Force 4N0515 skilllevel or the Army 68WM6 Practical Nurse Program.

(b) An applicant for the registered nurse examination must show evidence of having graduated from a pre-licensure Diploma, Associate Degree, or Baccalaureate Degree registered nurse program.

(c) Participants enrolling in an accelerated master's or doctorate of nursing program after July 1, 2021, must provide evidence of an awarded degree in Nursing to apply for licensure as a registered nurse. A letter of equivalency will not be accepted as a qualification for licensure per ORS 678.040(1)(2). The Master's or doctorate degree will be accepted as qualifying for licensure if the applicant has not been previously licensed nor taken the NCLEX® prior to finishing the program.

(2) Successful completion of the Board defined examination for nursing licensure.

(3) Limits on Eligibility for Licensure by Examination:

(a) Applicants for initial licensure by examination, not previously licensed in another state or country, will be permitted to test no more than two years following program graduation.

(b) Applicants who have graduated from the military courses referenced in section (1)(a) of this section will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN® by providing a DD 214 indicating training in the required military education and must be currently enlisted or within two years of discharge.

(c) An applicant who fails to pass the examination after four attempts will not be eligible to reapply for licensure by examination unless the applicant graduates from an additional nursing program. A nursing re-entry program would not qualify the applicant for license by examination for those who have not been previously licensed.

(4) To qualify for a license the applicant must:

(a) Submit a completed application; and

(b) Graduate from an Oregon Board approved school of nursing or graduation from a non-Oregon state approved nursing program or qualify as a military practical nurse as defined in section (3)(b) of this rule; and

(c) Register and pay fees to the testing service authorized to administer the NCLEX-RN® or NCLEX-PN® examination.

(5) Results of Examination:

(a) All applicants must pass the NCLEX® prior to being authorized to practice as a licensed nurse in Oregon. No temporary practice permits are issued by the Board.

(b) An applicant who passes the examination will be granted a license to practice nursing in Oregon after all other requirements for licensure have been met.

(c) An applicant who fails the licensing examination must meet requirements for reexamination.

(d) Reexamination following one or more failure(s) up to the four attempts allowed:

(A) An applicant notification of failed exam and instructions for reexamination will be sent to the applicant's address as listed with the authorized testing service.

(B) An applicant for reexamination must submit the required application and fee with the Board before being eligible to take the examination.

(C) The applicant must register and pay the fee to the authorized NCLEX® testing service.

Notes

Or. Admin. Code § 851-031-0015

BN 6-2021, adopt filed 06/21/2021, effective 7/1/2021; BN 26-2021, amend filed 11/22/2021, effective 12/1/2021; BN 6-2025, amend filed 02/21/2025, effective 3/1/2025

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 678.040, ORS 678.050, ORS 678.150 & ORS 678.415

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 678.040, ORS 678.050, ORS 678.150 & ORS 678.415