Direct answer
The responsible authority is Kentucky Board of Nursing. Use the verified contact details and task-specific official links on this page.
Kentucky source-reviewed jurisdiction snapshot
| Item | Reviewed detail |
|---|---|
| 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 |
For Kentucky, 4 primary official source records and 8 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide.
Responsible licensing authority
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.
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222Open map ↗
Confirm current service hours and walk-in availability before visiting.
Which office or system should you use?
| Goal | Route | Why and what to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Verify current license status | NCSBN License Verification Guidance | Use the reviewed Kentucky primary-source route to confirm legal name, credential, status, expiration and public restrictions. Search by license number when available and document the live Kentucky result date. |
| Renew or reactivate a license | Kentucky License Renewal | Kentucky renewal eligibility, declarations and payments belong in the official account or renewal system. Follow this published timing: The regular renewal period runs September 15 through October 31. |
| Check CE or continuing competence | Kentucky Continuing Education | Kentucky rules can differ by credential, first renewal, practice hours, mandatory topics or national certification. Review the exact requirement before buying coursework: RN and LPN licensees must complete an approved continuing-competence option each annual period; the standard route is 14 contact hours. |
| Apply by endorsement | Kentucky RN Endorsement | The Kentucky destination authority decides application eligibility, documents, fingerprints, fees and any temporary authority. Use Nursys for participating jurisdictions or follow Kentucky’s direct verification instructions. |
| Use the account or transaction portal | Kentucky Nurse Portal | Authenticated Kentucky transactions and messages should occur only in the authority-named system. Confirm the browser domain is one of the reviewed official domains: kbn.ky.gov. |
| Check complaints or public discipline | official complaint and discipline resource | License status and public discipline are separate questions in Kentucky. For Kentucky, open any public order or restriction linked by the authority; do not rely on social posts or an old screenshot. |
| Contact the licensing authority | Kentucky Board of Nursing | For Kentucky, use the responsible office for a missing document, status discrepancy, credential routing or application message. Call (502) 429-3300 with the credential, license or application number available; do not email sensitive documents unless given a secure route. |
| Use national verification or monitoring | Nursys QuickConfirm / e-Notify when accepted | Nursys can support participating-board national verification, endorsement verification and monitoring, but the Kentucky authority remains the source for local requirements. 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. |
Complete official task destinations
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 ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Kentucky status recorded as Compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Kentucky Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Kentucky license.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Kentucky source remains Kentucky Board of Nursing verification resources.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Kentucky Board of Nursing verification resources for Kentucky; follow Kentucky Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · reviewed July 28, 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 Fees ↗
Official fee source recorded for this jurisdiction. Confirm the credential and transaction before payment.
Primary official source · reviewed July 27, 2026Before contacting the authority
- Confirm which credential and authority apply, especially in split-board jurisdictions.
- Have the application type, license number or transaction reference available.
- Ask a specific question about a missing item, renewal eligibility, status or credential assignment.
- Do not email Social Security numbers, payment-card details or background documents unless the authority explicitly instructs a secure method.
- Record the date, office or unit contacted and the response.
- Verify final license status in the public lookup system.
Frequently asked questions
Which office handles nursing licenses in Kentucky?
Kentucky Board of Nursing.
What is the published phone number?
(502) 429-3300
Is there a separate mailing address?
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222
What should I prepare before contacting the authority?
Have the credential, application type, license number or transaction reference ready, but do not send sensitive records to an unverified address.
Is phone guidance proof of licensure?
No. Verify the final license status in the official public lookup system.
Should I visit the office without checking first?
No. Confirm office hours, walk-in availability and the correct unit before traveling.