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 (1) the application via our website (under "Quick Links>Online Services>Renew/Reinstate"). A valid credit or debit card (VISA or MasterCard) or checking account is accepted for payment of the reinstatement application fee. Prior to reinstatement, (2) a criminal background check is required for all applicants whose NC license has expired 6 months or more. The criminal background check packet is mailed to the nurse upon receipt of the online reinstatement application. The fingerprinting must be performed by a law enforcement official. The fee for the background check is submitted to the Board along with the completed fingerprint card. In addition, upon application for reinstatement, all applicants are required (3) to attest to completion of a self assessment, learning plan, and one of the approved learning activity options during the two year period prior to reinstatement. Additional information is available here: Continuing Competence If a license is lapsed for five years or longer, you will be required (4) to take a Board-approved refresher course or provide evidence of active licensure in another jurisdiction within five years prior to reinstatement. Upon completion of the online reinstatement application, you will be instructed to submit evidence of licensure in another state or jurisdiction or evidence of successful completion of a Board approved refresher course. 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. Successful completion of the refresher course will satisfy the Continuing Competence requirement. When all required information and applications are received from you, a current license to resume the practice of nursing will be issued. Your license must be reactivated within one year of completion of the refresher course in order to be considered for current license status. 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 six 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, successful completion of a Board approved refresher course is required prior to reactivating or reinstating your license. A criminal background check is also required before the license can be reinstated. 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, 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". |