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As a future nurse in Oregon, you might want to become familiar with the Board of nursing.
You got to the right place, so read on!
Table of Contents
What Does the Board Do?
The Board is responsible for many aspects of the nursing profession, and not only.
Here’s a list of some of the Board’s duties:
- Ensuring the integrity of the public health, safety, and welfare
- Issuing licenses
- Approving nursing training programs
- Renewing the credentials
- Ensuring the candidates meet the requirements
- Imposing disciplinary actions
- Promulgating the rules and regulations
- Maintaining accurate records
- Registering advanced practice nurses
- Offering APRN practice information
Here is the list of those licensed or certified by the Oregon State Board of Nursing:
- RNs
- CNAs
- LPNs
- Medication Aides (MAs)
- CNA/MA instructor
- Program director for CNAs/MAs
Getting Approval to Take the NCLEX
In Oregon, you have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination if you want to become an RN or an LPN.
NCLEX is the shortened name for the exam.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers this exam through the Pearson Vue testing centers across the country.
The Council offers the exam in these countries:
- Australia
- Canada
In Oregon, you’ll have to apply for a license simultaneously with signing up with Pearson Vue.
These processes require some documents as well as some non-refundable fees.
Some of the fees are for the license, another fee is for the exam itself, and another fee is for the application process itself.
Some of the papers are:
- An application form
- A clean criminal background
- Official school transcripts
- Some other documents
The transcripts are usually sent directly by the school to the Board.
Those who get accepted will receive a letter with a code in about 7 days from applying.
This letter is your Approval To Test (ATT) without which you cannot be at the Pearson Vue on the exam day.
Candidates must attempt to pass the exam in up to 2 years since they complete their training program.
The application has a validity of a year.
However, the exam can be retaken about 8 times during this year.
The Board required a cool-off period of 45 days between exam attempts.
Every time you try to take the test means you’ll have to sign up again with Pearson Vue, but not with the Board.
This means you must pay an additional $200 every time you re-sign up.
Once the year passes by, the application process has to restart from the first step.
Renewing Your License
In Oregon, licenses or certifications for nurses have to be renewed periodically, just like in other states.
The license renewal process can be completed easily online.
However, you have to do so by your birthday every year.
The website of the Board, shared in a bit, has different instructions on how to proceed based on:
- The type of credential you have
- The period that has passed since it expired
Be aware of the renewal fee as well.
You’ll need some credit or debit card to pay it online.
How to do a Licence Lookup
If you want to verify the license of a nurse from Oregon, you can use this page, first:
- https://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx
On this page, you’ll have to agree to the terms and conditions written in a text box.
The first option is to search by license number.
There’s another option, to search by the nurse’s name.
Then, you’ll have to provide the following details if you want to search by name:
- Last name
- First name (this is optional)
- City (this is optional)
- Zipcode (this is optional)
Authorities from other states that want to verify a nursing license issued in Oregon will have to use a different page.
This other page is:
- https://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNLicense/Account?returnUrl=~%2F
Oregon State Board of Nursing Contact Information
The Board of Nursing in the State of Oregon has the following address:
- 17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd, Portland, OR 97224
Currently, the phone cannot be used to contact the Board.
However, you can send faxes to the Board to this number:
- 971-673-0684
You can also use the following emails, based on the purpose for which you write to the Board:
- General inquiries: oregon.bn.info@osbn.oregon.gov
- Transcripts: osbn.transcripts@osbn.oregon.gov
- Media: barbara.holtry@osbn.oregon.gov
The Board’s website might offer more information related to all your questions.
The website is https://www.oregon.gov/osbn/pages/index.aspx.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you’re better prepared for your future job as a nurse in Oregon.