Can I use the state board of nursing website to provide proof of my lpn license?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

It depends on the employer. I have had to show an actual hard copy of my nursing license only a handful of times in my 5 years as a nurse. When I worked in the hospital, they never once asked for it- not when I started working for them or not any of the years it needed to be renewed. They looked online for that. In my current job, they asked for a copy of it. I imagine if you can show proof of ID, the website would be sufficient but, again, every employer is different with what they require. If you need the actual hard copy, either call your brother or call the BON to request another copy.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2012

Most employers will use your proof from the website. Just ask them what they require.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2012

In MD they stopped issuing "paper" licensed years ago, so when an employer needs to verify it, they just go to the website. Also, they could go to NURSYS.

DogWmn · Jun 27, 2012

Ohio no longer provides hard copy licenses, so the only way you will get licensure verification is through their website.

elkpark · Jun 27, 2012

In fact, viewing the "hard copy" of the license (if there even is one these days, as more and more states go "paperless") is no longer considered adequate verification of licensure by CMS and the other regulatory agencies. I worked as a hospital surveyor for my state and CMS 2000-2004 and, even back then, photocopies of the actual licenses were not considered verification of licensure -- if a facility had photocopies of the nurses' licenses in their personnel files but didn't have verification that they had checked the licenses on the BON website, the facility got cited for failure to verify licenses. Although a lot of facilities still make copies of licenses (I guess because that's how they've always done things :)), the only verification that counts nowadays is the website.

Juankiters08 · Jun 28, 2012

Thanks for all the replies, and @elkpark, so the proof they need is the actual website? Which part should I give them? The page that has my license number on it and says active?

elkpark · Jun 28, 2012

Thanks for all the replies, and @elkpark, so the proof they need is the actual website? Which part should I give them? The page that has my license number on it and says active?

CMS and state regulations require that the facility verify your license by checking it on the BON website. You can print off the page of the website that indicates your license is active and unrestricted, but it is still the responsibility of the facility to check for themselves before allowing you to work.