LAPSED LICENSE - REINSTATEMENT
If a nurse allows the license to lapse by failing to renew on or before the expiration date, then the right to practice nursing in North Carolina is forfeited. Nursing privileges may be reinstated upon completion of the forms provided by the Board and payment of fee(s), which will cover both reinstatement and renewal of the license.
If a nurse practices nursing with a lapsed license, disciplinary action may be taken. Nursing privileges may be reinstated upon completion of the application via our website (under "Quick Links>Online Services>Renew/Reinstate"), provided the license has not been lapsed for five or more years. A valid credit or debit card (VISA or Mastercard) is accepted for payment. A paper application may also be requested by calling our office at (919) 782-3211 ext. 260 or 268. In addition, upon application for reinstatement, all licensees are required to attest to completion of self assessment, learning plan, and one of the approved learning activity options during the two year period prior to reinstatement.
If a license is lapsed for five years or longer, you will be required to take a Board-approved refresher course or provide evidence of active licensure in another jurisdiction within five years prior to reinstatement. If you have been licensed in a state other than North Carolina within the past five years and wish to reinstate your North Carolina nursing license, you need to submit the following information to the attention of the Licensure Coordinator:
- Nursing license number and the state or jurisdiction of a nursing license held within the past 5 years.
- Current name and address
- NC certificate number, if known
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Name of nursing school
- Any other names under which you have been licensed
The above information may be mailed (PO Box 2129, Raleigh NC 27602) or faxed (919-781-9461) to our office. Upon receipt, the reinstatement paperwork will be mailed to you.
If you have not been licensed in NC or any other state within the past five years, successful completion of a Board approved refresher course is required prior to reinstatement of your NC license. Once the Board has been notified of your completion of the course, you will be mailed an application. Your license must be reactivated within one year of completion of the refresher course in order to be considered for current license status. When all required information is received from you and is deemed to be satisfactory, a current license to resume the practice of nursing will be issued. The Board may decline to reactivate a license if a determination of unsatisfactory ability to practice nursing is evident.
For additional information on refresher courses, select "Education>Continuing Education>Refresher Courses".
Once the Board receives forms and fee(s), a minimum of two weeks processing time may be required.
REFRESHER COURSE
If your North Carolina nursing license has been on inactive, retired or lapsed status for over five years and you have not been licensed in another state during the last five years, a Board approved refresher course will be required prior to reactivating or reinstating your license. Once the Board has been notified of successful completion of the refresher course, you will be mailed a reinstatement application. Your license must be reactivated within one year of completing the refresher course in order to be considered for current license status. When all required information is received from you and is deemed to be satisfactory, a current license to resume the practice of nursing will be issued. The Board may decline to reactivate a license if a determination of unsatisfactory ability to practice nursing is evident.
For additional information on refresher courses, select "Education>Continuing Education>Refresher Courses".