Re-entry Process for RNs and LPNs
Nursing practice is always changing, and nurses who wish to return to practice after a period of inactivity must demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, and application of practice changes that have occurred.
RNs and LPNs who have not been active in nursing practice for at least 400 hours in the 4 years immediately prior to date of application must complete a board approved re-entry program before active license to practice can be granted (RSA 326-B:16.)
- Pursuant to Nur 401.03 (d) each re-entry/refresher course applicant shall also submit application for New Hampshire nursing licensure and temporary licensure prior to the start of the re-entry program.
- Nurses who previously held a New Hampshire Nursing license, will need to request a reinstatement application from the Board of Nursing.
- The endorsement application including fingerprinting is required for out of state nurses wishing to license in New Hampshire that have not met the active practice requirement and are completing the re-entry process.
- Pursuant to Nur 605.03 (a) the refresher course shall last no longer than 6 months.
The approved options available to nurses have been designed to allow for analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of the new knowledge of the health care environment. The following options are Board approved for the state of New Hampshire.
Option 1: Structured Refresher Course and Clinical Practicum
Option 1 requires a successful completion of a formal refresher course that must be a minimum of 120 hours (40 theory/classroom hours and 80 clinical hours). The theory includes content from the sciences, nursing process, leadership and organization, nursing interventions, health promotion, and legal and ethical issues. Clinical practice must be supervised by a Registered Nurse. Courses are offered at various hospitals and educational institutions. Please note that most of the structured refresher courses exceed the minimum hours as established in the Administrative rules. The list of New Hampshire Board approved courses is at the end of this document.
You must have an active temporary New Hampshire RN or PN license in place for this process. Your temporary license is issued after you have been accepted into the course and submitted an application for licensure. If you have not held a nursing license in NH before, a temporary license CANNOT be issued until the Board has received and reviewed the results of your New Hampshire Criminal Background Check requirement. The temporary license only allows you to practice under the supervision of the Board approved re-entry course instructor within the state of New Hampshire.
Option 2: Distance education: Online Refresher Courses
Option 2 requires a successful completion of an online refresher course that must be a minimum of 120 hours (40 theory hours and 80 clinical hours). The theory includes content from the sciences, nursing process, leadership and organization, nursing interventions, health promotion, and legal and ethical issues. Clinical practice must be supervised by a Registered Nurse. The nurse must provide a health care facility who is interested in providing clinical instruction, to the online program. The program will verify with the facility that contract and preceptor obligations are met pursuant to Nur 602.15(b) 602.01(c). Refer to the list of New Hampshire Board approved courses.
You must have an active temporary New Hampshire RN or PN license in place for this process. Your temporary license is issued after you have been accepted into the course and submitted an application for licensure. If you have not held a nursing license in New Hampshire before, a temporary license cannot be issued until the Board has received and reviewed the results of your New Hampshire Criminal Background Check requirement. The temporary license only allows you to practice under the supervision of the Board approved re-entry course instructor clinical site within the state of New Hampshire.
Approved Education Programs for Re-entry Options
Structured Refresher Courses for RNs
Nursing Management, Education and Clinical Consultants
14 Pemberton Road
Nashua, NH 03063
Phone: (603) 889-1580 (evenings)
Contact: Judith Haywood, EdD, RN RN Coordinator
Email: JHaywd@aol.com
Approved through 7/2022
Self-Study Refresher Programs
Distance Education (Online)
A New Day: RN Refresher Program
Contact: Sandra Wyrick, PhD, MN, BSN, RN
President & Executive Director
Phone: 425-478-0779
Fax: 480-656-9316
Email: anewday.rnrefresher@gmail.com
Approved through 02/2024
RN and LPN Refresher Self-Study Course
Self-Study Refresher Course
South Dakota State University
Box 2275, Wagner Hall 207
Brookings, SD 57007-0098
Contact: Linda Lemme
Email: Linda.Lemme@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/nursing/refresher-course-rn
www.sdstate.edu/nursing/refresher-course-lpn
Phone: 605-688-5745
Fax: 605-688-6679
Approved through Spring 2029