Pennsylvania is an attractive destination for the best HCPs in the country, and it is not hard to see why. As the most populous state (around 39.2), demand for healthcare is sky-high and will only grow in the coming years. As a result, HCPs enjoy high employment rates and some of the best healthcare salaries in the country. No RN, CN or LPN can sit on their laurels, however, Pennsylvania-based nurses are no exception. You will be expected to periodically renew your license. Like every other state, Pennsylvania has its own unique renewal process and requirements. To help you out with your next renewal, we have laid out a step-by-step guide for nurse license renewal in the Golden State.
Renewing Your HCP License
Keep Track of the Renewal Period
Before anything else, you need to know when your license expires. When you know the renewal period, you can better plan out your continuing education requirements, document gathering, and more. This lets you finish all your renewal requirements on time, or well in advance. In Pennsylvania, RN licenses must be renewed every 2 years on April 30 or October 31. Meanwhile, LPNs have to renew every June 30 in even-numbered years. CNAs also have to renew their practice licenses every two years.
Fulfil your Continuing Education Requirements
The Pennsylvania Board of nursing wants to make sure that their HCPs are up to date with best HCP practices and actively practicing in their profession. To this end, healthcare professionals on all levels must complete a number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs), if they want to renew their licenses and keep practicing. The specific requirements will depend on your profession. Both RNs and LPNs have to complete 30 contact hours, to fulfil their CEU requirements. 2 or 3 of these hours (depending on whether or not it is a first-time application) must be fulfilled with an approved course on Child Abuse. Instead of a continuing education requirement, CNAs have to fulfill 8 salaried hours of nurse aide work at an approved facility, across the last 24 months.
Apply for Online Licensure Renewal
Everything has been moved to the internet, nowadays, and HCP licensure renewal is no exception. Pennsylvania’s HCPs can now finish the bulk of the renewal process in the comfort of their own homes. The PA Board of Nursing has outlined the step-by-step online renewal process on their official site. In summary:
Access the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS.) The Board of Nursing highly recommends completing these steps on your laptop/desktop and through the Internet Explorer browser. You may experience technical difficulties applying on your phone, tablet, or another browser. Meanwhile, CNAs have a slightly different renewal process. They must apply through the official CNA365 hosted by Credentia. They can complete their application and submit their requirements, through this site.
You will be sent a notice from st-nurse@pa.gov, notifying you prior to your license’s expiration. This email will contain your login information for PALS. You can also register on the PALS website. Once you are in, you can click on the renewal application page. It is recommended that you read every question thoroughly, in order to provide the best and most accurate information.
Once you have submitted your requirements and filled out your application, you can now pay for the renewal fee. Currently, RNs have to pay $122 for their renewals, while LPNs pay $76. These fees are subject to change.
Contact Information
For more details or clarification, it is recommended that you contact the Pennsylvania Board of nursing directly. All their relevant contact information and communication channels are listed below:
Mail Address:
State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Phone Number: (717) 783-7142
Fax Number: (717) 783-0822
Email: ST-NURSE@pa.gov
How to Renew Your RN License in Pennsylvania
In every state, registered nurses are expected to renew their licenses. This ensures to the PA Board of Nursing that their RNs are actively practising, and continually studying to stay updated and educated. Nursing is constantly changing, and nurses have to keep up with the newest best practices, discoveries and technological advances. To ensure a hassle-free renewal process, this page will show you how to renew your Pennsylvania RN license, step by step.
Figure Out the Renewal Period
Renewing your license requires compiling documents, finishing a number of classes, gathering your license renewal fee and more. If you know when your license will expire, you can plan things accordingly and have everything ready just before the end of the renewal cycle, or well in advance. For RNs, licensure expires every two years on April 30 or October 31.
Fulfill Renewal Requirements
There are a handful of Pennsylvania RN renewal requirements that you must complete on or before your license expires. To begin, you need to complete 30 hours of continuing education from an approved provider. Without accreditation from the state, your hours will not be recognized. 2 hours must be allotted to Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (otherwise known as Child Abuse CE.) The government provides a list of approved Child Abuse courses here.
Apply for Online Licensure Renewal
PA-based RNs can complete their renewal applications online. The PA Board of Nursing compiled a list of tips for registered nurses looking to renew their license here. To summarize the document:
Register and Login to the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS.) Do this on Internet Explorer and through a laptop or desktop to avoid bugs and compatibility issues. Your login information will be provided to you by a Renewal Notice sent by st-nurse@pa.gov, prior to expiration. If you cannot find it in your email, check your spam folder.
When you have gained access to the site, carefully go through your renewal application. Answer all the questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Review the questions and your answers, before submitting. After you fill out the application and submit your requirements, you can pay the renewal fee. As was mentioned before, RNs will be expected to pay $122 biannually.
Contact Information
The renewal process and guidelines can change at any moment. If you have any questions, it is recommended that you contact the PA Board of Nursing directly. To help, listed below are their official channels of communication:
Mail Address:
State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Phone Number: (717) 783-7142
Fax Number: (717) 783-0822
Email: ST-NURSE@pa.gov
How to Renew Your LPN License in Pennsylvania
As a Licensed Practical Nurse, you have to renew your license periodically. This is to make sure that you are informed, and in compliance with an ever-changing set of best practices, regulations, and new techniques. Renewal also ensures that you are actively practicing, and not idling as an HCP. Every state has their own unique renewal requirements, and Pennsylvania is not exempt from this. To prepare you for the renewal cycle, we have provided a comprehensive guide for LPN license renewals in PA.
Figure Out the Renewal Period
LPNs in Pennsylvania are expected to renew their licenses on June 30, every even year. Luckily, you will be sent an email that will notify you about this, in advance. Knowing when your license expires lets you plan your requirements accordingly. This way, you can be prepared right on time, or well in advance.
Fulfill Renewal Requirements
To renew, you need to finish 30 hours of continuing education. Regardless of where you complete this requirement, the establishment has to be accredited and recognized by Pennsylvania’s Board of Nursing. If not, your time will not be recognized when you apply for licensure renewal. 2 hours of continuing education must be completed via the Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (Child Abuse CE.) For a complete list of approved Child Abuse courses, refer to the link here.
Apply for Online Licensure Renewal
LPNs in Pennsylvania can now renew their license online, on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS.) The Board of Nursing has even provided a set of tips for LPN licensure renewal here. For your convenience, we have provided a summary below:
To start, register and log in to the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS.) The Board of Nursing recommends doing so on a desktop/laptop and with the Internet Explorer Browser. Otherwise, you can expect to run into a number of technical problems. The renewal notice sent via st-nurse@pa.gov, before expiration, will contain all your login details. If you cannot find it, check your email’s spam folder or contact the PA Board of Nursing directly.
Do not haphazardly fill out your renewal application. Read each question carefully and review your answers before you submit. Once you complete the forms and submit your requirements, all that is left is to pay the renewal fee. At the time of writing, the cost for LPNs sits at $76.00. Note that this is subject to change.
Contact Information
Renewal requirements and processes can change at any time. For more information, you can refer to the official Pennsylvania website. If you cannot find your answers there, it is recommended that you contact the Board of Nursing directly, through any one of the following channels:
Mail Address:
State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Phone Number: (717) 783-7142
Fax Number: (717) 783-0822
Email: ST-NURSE@pa.gov
How to Renew Your CNA License in Pennsylvania
In healthcare, the margin of error can be slim. Facilities need to be sure that a healthcare professional’s skills stay sharp, and that they are constantly updated with the latest medical knowledge. This is why HCPs on all levels must renew their licenses periodically, and Certified Nursing Assistants are no exception. The exact requirements and renewal process depend on the state you practice in. In this article, we will go over how to renew your CNA license in Pennsylvania.
Figure Out the Renewal Period
In PA, CNAs have to apply for renewal once every two years. You can check when your license expires in the Registry section on the CNA365 website. When you know the renewal cycle, you can plan for your requirements, and have everything finished on (or before) the expiration date.
Fulfill Renewal Requirements
Before their renewal applications are accepted, CNAs have to complete eight consecutive hours (or one documented day) of salaried nurse aide work. This has to be completed within the 24-month licensure period and should happen under a state-approved healthcare facility. Otherwise, your shift will not be recognized.
Apply for Online Licensure Renewal
CNAs can complete their renewal application online, through Credentia’s CNA365. The site even provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide for filling out and submitting your license renewal request. For your convenience, here is a brief summary:
From the home page, click the “Registry” section. From there, you can select the “renew” button and begin filling out your application. You will be asked to fill out three sections: Personal Information Verification, Registration Information, Employment, and Attestation. Answer every form truthfully and accurately. Be sure to review the information before proceeding to the next section. Once you submit your application, all there is left to do is wait. You will receive an email notification for when your CNA365 renewal request has been processed. If it has, you can click “Registry” and print a copy of your Registry Card.
Contact Information
For more questions, you can refer to the official Pennsylvania government website here. Otherwise, you can contact the PA Board of Nursing directly.
Mail Address:
Board of Registered Nursing
PO Box 944210
Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
Phone Number: 916-322-3350
Address:
Board of Registered Nursing
1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924
