Kentucky licensing facts
How regulation is organized
Kentucky Board of Nursing regulates the credentials recorded for Kentucky: LPN, RN, APRN. Public status checks use Verify a Kentucky Nursing License; renewal uses Kentucky License Renewal. The recorded renewal schedule is Annual The compact classification shown for this review is Compact jurisdiction.
Public verification
Verify a Kentucky Nursing License is the reviewed public verification route for Kentucky. The destination is hosted on kbn.ky.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result.
Renewal timing
For Kentucky, the recorded renewal cycle is Annual The named renewal route is Kentucky License Renewal. The current fee summary is Confirm the current annual renewal amount in the Nurse Portal; endorsement and reinstatement fees are separately published..
CE or competence
The reviewed Kentucky continuing-education or competence rule is: RN and LPN licensees must complete an approved continuing-competence option each annual period; the standard route is 14 contact hours. The record-retention or audit note is: Keep continuing-competence documentation for five years and provide it if selected for audit..
| Reviewed field | Current dataset value |
|---|---|
| Authority | Kentucky Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Kentucky Board of Nursing verification resources |
| Renewal cycle | Annual |
| Renewal deadline | The regular renewal period runs September 15 through October 31. |
| Continuing competence | RN and LPN licensees must complete an approved continuing-competence option each annual period; the standard route is 14 contact hours. |
| Fees | Confirm the current annual renewal amount in the Nurse Portal; endorsement and reinstatement fees are separately published. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APRN |
| Phone | (502) 429-3300 |
| Physical location | 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222 |
| Mailing address | 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222 |
| Primary official domains | kbn.ky.gov |
How to verify a Kentucky nursing license
Verify a Kentucky Nursing License is the reviewed public verification route for Kentucky. The destination is hosted on kbn.ky.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use Kentucky License Renewal.
Open Verify a Kentucky Nursing License ↗
Read the detailed lookup and troubleshooting guide
How to interpret the result
| Field | Meaning | Risk to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky credential type | For Kentucky, confirm the exact credential among LPN, RN, APRN; the same person may hold more than one license, approval, certificate or permit. | For Kentucky, treating an RN result as proof of APRN, assistant, certificate, permit or prescriptive authority. |
| Current status | Read the exact status wording published by Kentucky Board of Nursing, including active, inactive, expired, lapsed, probationary, suspended, revoked or restricted. | For Kentucky, assuming that a record appearing in search means the person may currently practice. |
| Expiration / renewal timing | Annual. The regular renewal period runs September 15 through October 31. | For Kentucky, using a wallet card, employer roster or old screenshot instead of the live record. |
| Multistate designation | Kentucky is recorded as an operational Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction in this dataset. Verify that the individual public record is actually designated multistate and that the nurse maintains Kentucky or another qualifying compact state as the primary state of residence. | For Kentucky, assuming compact membership automatically makes every license multistate or survives a permanent residence move. |
| Public discipline or restrictions | Review public orders or restrictions linked by Kentucky Board of Nursing, Kentucky Board of Nursing verification resources or Nursys when applicable. | Checking only expiration while ignoring conditions that limit practice. |
| Verification date | The result supports a decision as of the date it was checked. Record the live Kentucky verification date. | For Kentucky, reusing an undated or stale printout for a new employment or credentialing decision. |
Kentucky nursing license renewal
Named renewal system: Kentucky Nurse Portal.
- Complete the applicable continuing-competence requirement.
- Sign in to the Nurse Portal during the renewal period.
- Answer renewal and discipline questions accurately.
- Submit the transaction and displayed fee.
- Verify renewed status after processing.
Renewal cautions
- Annual renewal and annual competence periods must be tracked carefully.
- Keep continuing-education records for five years.
- Late or reinstatement transactions differ from timely renewal.
Continuing education or continuing competence
RN and LPN licensees must complete an approved continuing-competence option each annual period; the standard route is 14 contact hours.
- Complete the selected Board-approved competence option.
- Meet any mandatory Kentucky content that applies to the period or credential.
- Use approved providers and retain certificates.
Records and audits: Keep continuing-competence documentation for five years and provide it if selected for audit.
Kentucky license by endorsement
The reviewed Kentucky credential set is LPN, RN, APRN. Use Verify a Kentucky Nursing License for the public record and Kentucky License Renewal for renewal-related work. Do not infer an advanced-practice, assistant, certificate, permit, or compact privilege from a different credential record; Compact jurisdiction. The public record host is kbn.ky.gov, and the recorded renewal schedule is Annual
National verification and compact status
Compact jurisdiction
Kentucky is classified as Compact jurisdiction. The recorded renewal cycle is Annual and the authority model is State nursing regulatory board. Confirm primary residence, the exact license designation, and restrictions in the current official record before relying on compact authority.
Published fee records
| Transaction | Credential | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endorsement application | RN | $165 | Board-published RN endorsement fee. Official source ↗ |
| Reinstatement | RN/LPN | $135 | Published reinstatement fee; confirm current credential-specific amount. Official source ↗ |
| Licensure by examination | RN/LPN | $125 | Board application fee, separate from testing vendor fees. Official source ↗ |
Kentucky Board of Nursing contact and location
Confirm current service hours before calling or visiting.
7 reviewed official destinations for Kentucky
Verify a Kentucky Nursing License ↗
Official Kentucky Board of Nursing license and credential verification page.
Current primary official source · reviewed July 28, 2026Kentucky License Renewal ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Kentucky Continuing Competency ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Kentucky RN Endorsement ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Kentucky Board of Nursing Fees ↗
Official fee source recorded for this jurisdiction. Confirm the credential and transaction before payment.
Primary official source · reviewed July 27, 2026Kentucky Board of Nursing Reinstatement ↗
Official fee source recorded for this jurisdiction. Confirm the credential and transaction before payment.
Primary official source · reviewed July 27, 2026Kentucky Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Frequently asked questions
Who regulates nursing licenses in Kentucky?
Kentucky Board of Nursing. The Kentucky Board of Nursing regulates LPN, RN and APRN credentials. The Nurse Portal handles applications and renewal; verification and discipline use separate public resources.
What is the reviewed Kentucky license lookup?
Kentucky Board of Nursing verification resources. Verify a Kentucky Nursing License is the reviewed public verification route for Kentucky. The destination is hosted on kbn.ky.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use Kentucky License Renewal.
When is a Kentucky nursing license renewed?
Annual. The regular renewal period runs September 15 through October 31.
What CE or competence applies in Kentucky?
RN and LPN licensees must complete an approved continuing-competence option each annual period; the standard route is 14 contact hours.
What fee information is published for Kentucky?
Confirm the current annual renewal amount in the Nurse Portal; endorsement and reinstatement fees are separately published.
How can I contact the nursing authority in Kentucky?
Kentucky Board of Nursing publishes (502) 429-3300 and 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222.