RN Programs in Kentucky

Kentucky RN Programs

There are many degrees one can pursue after you get out of high school, but registered nursing may be one of the more rewarding. RN programs in Kentucky offer students a chance to pursue a challenging career helping others.

Kentucky RN programs range from 2 years for an associate's degree to 4 years for a bachelor's degree. The variety of Kentucky RN programs allows one to attend the program that best meets his or her needs.

Becoming Licensed by Examination in Kentucky

Individuals in Kentucky can become eligible to work as RNs by examination and by endorsement. To become an RN by examination an individual must submit the following items with his or her application:

  • Payment of the RN examination fee of $110.00
  • A Kentucky criminal background report
  • A fingerprint card with payment for the fee of
  • Proof that he or she has passed the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
  • Verification that the individual has completed an approved nursing program
  • Documentation that he or she has passed the NCLEX
  • Proof that he or she completed the required continuing competency. If the individual did not graduate from a Kentucky nursing program, he or she must complete:
    • 2 hours of HIV/AIDS continuing education
    • 3 hours of domestic violence continuing education
  • All applicants must complete 1.5 hours of pediatric head abuse trauma

Individuals who have been educated as RNs outside the United States and wish to work as RNs in Kentucky can do so by examination or by endorsement. To become an RN through examination, he or she must submit:

  • A copy of VisaScreen for Licensure
  • His or her application, along with the application fee of $40
  • A state background check
  • A federal background check
  • Proof that he or she has passed the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
  • Verification that he or she passed the NCLEX
  • Proof that he or she is a legal resident of the United States
  • A copy of a valid US social security number

Becoming Licensed by Endorsement in Kentucky

If an RN wants to work in Kentucky and currently holds an RN license in another state or US jurisdiction, he or she must submit the following:

  • An endorsement application, along with the $150.00 application fee
  • A fingerprint card, along with the $16.50 fee
  • Proof that he or she has passed the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
  • Verification that he or she has completed 2 hours of Kentucky Board of Nursing approved continuing education in HIV/AIDS
  • An official nursing transcript if he or she has graduated from a program in one of the following states:
    • California
    • Connecticut
    • Georgia
    • Illinois
    • Kansas
    • Pennsylvania
    • Washington

If an individual was educated outside of the United States and wishes to become an RN through endorsement, he or she must submit:

  • A copy of VisaScreen for Licensure
  • His or her application, along with the application fee of $40
  • A federal background check
  • Proof that he or she met the continuing competency requirements
  • Verification that he or she has passed the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam
  • Proof that he or she has been previously licensed in the United States
  • Documentation that he or she is a legal resident of the United States
  • A copy of his or her valid United States social security card

Renewing an RN License

In order to qualify for renewal, applicants must complete 14 hours of continuing education in each renewal period, or any option deemed equivalent for fulfilling this requirement.

Additional Resources

RN Schools Near You & Online in Kentucky

Ashland Community & Technical College

  • 1400 College Dr. Ashland, KY 41101
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    (606) 326-2000

Berea College

  • Berea College Berea, KY 40404
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (859) 985-3000

Western Kentucky University

  • 1906 College Heights Blvd. Bowling Green, KY 42101
    Programs: ADN, BSN, Family Nurse Practitioner - certificate, Health Information Management-Associate, RN, RN to BSN
    (270) 745-0111

Campbellsville University

  • 1 University Drive Campbellsville, KY 42718
    Programs: ADN, RN
    (270) 789-5000

Lincoln Memorial University

  • 1 Trillium Way Corbin, KY 40701
    Programs: ADN, RN
    (606) 523-8654

Thomas More College

  • 333 Thomas More Parkway Crestview Hills, KY 41017
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (859) 341-5800

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College

  • 700 College Road Cumberland, KY 40823
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    (606) 589-2145

Gateway Community & Technical College

  • 790 Thomas More Parkway Edgewood, KY 41017
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    (859) 442-4138

Elizabethtown Community & Technical College

  • 600 College Street Road Elizabethtown, KY 42701
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Radiography, RN
    (270) 769-2371

Beckfield College

  • 16 Spiral Drive Florence, KY 41042
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN, RN to BSN
    (859) 371-9393

Kentucky State University

  • 400 East Main Street Frankfort, KY 40601
    Programs: ADN, RN, RN to BSN
    (502) 597-6000

Kentucky Christian University

  • 100 Academic Parkway Grayson, KY 41143
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    1(800)522-3181

Henderson Community College

  • 2660 S. Green Street Henderson, KY 42420
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (270) 827-1867

Northern Kentucky University

  • 1 Louie B Nunn Drive Highland Heights, KY 41099
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, ADN, BSN, Family Nurse Practitioner - certificate, LPN to BSN, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN
    (859) 572-5100

Hopkinsville Community College

  • 720 North Dr. Hopkinsville, KY 42240
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    (270) 707-3700

Hazard Community & Technical College

  • 601 Jefferson Ave. Jackson, KY 41339
    Programs: ADN, RN
    (606) 666-7521

Bluegrass Community & Technical College

  • 470 Cooper Drive Lexington, KY 40506
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiography, RN
    (859) 246-6200

University of Kentucky

  • 410 Administration Dr. Lexington, KY 40506
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, BSN to DNP, DNP, Nursing PhD, Physician Assistant, RN, RN to BSN
    (859) 257-9000

Galen College of Nursing

  • 1031 Zorn Avenue, Suite 400 Louisville, KY 40207
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    (502) 410-6200

Jefferson Community & Technical College

  • 109 East Broadway Louisville, KY 40202
    Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Medical Assistant, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiography, RN, Sonography
    (502) 213-5333

Bellarmine University

  • 2001 Newburg Road Louisville, KY 40205
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, MSN, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    1(800)274-4723

University of Louisville

  • 511 South Floyd Street Louisville, KY 40202
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, Nursing PhD, Radiation Therapy, RN, RN to BSN
    (502) 852-5140

Spalding University

  • 845 South Third St. Louisville, KY 40203
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, MSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (502) 585-9911

Madisonville Community College

  • 2000 College Drive Madisonville, KY 42431
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Radiography, RN
    (270) 821-2250

Maysville Community & Technical College

  • 1755 U.S. Highway 68 Maysville, KY 41056
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (606) 759-7141

Midway College

  • 512 E. Stephens St. Midway, KY 40347
    Programs: ADN, RN, RN to BSN
    (859) 846-4421

Morehead State University

  • 150 University Boulevard Morehead, KY 40351
    Programs: ADN, BSN, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN
    1(606)783-2221

Murray State University

  • 102 Curris Center Murray, KY 42071
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    1(800)272-4678

Owensboro Community & Technical College

  • 4800 New Hartford Road Owensboro, KY 42303
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Radiography, RN, Sonography
    (270) 686-4400

West Kentucky Community & Technical College

  • 4810 Alben Barkley Paducah, KY 42001
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Radiography, RN, Sonography
    (270) 554-9200

Pikeville College

  • 147 Sycamore Street Pikeville, KY 41501
    Programs: ADN, RN
    (606) 218-5251

Big Sandy Community & Technical College

  • 1 Bert T. Combs Drive Prestonsburg, KY 41653
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    (606) 886-3863

Eastern Kentucky University

  • 521 Lancaster Ave. Richmond, KY 40475
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, ADN, BSN, DNP, EMT Paramedic, Health Information Management-Bachelor's, MSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (859) 622-1000

Somerset Community College

  • 808 Monticello Street Somerset, KY 42501
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Radiography, RN
    (877) 629-9722

St Catharine College

  • 2735 Bardstown Rd. St Catharine, KY 40061
    Programs: ADN, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN
    (859) 336-5082