How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Arizona?

The Arizona RN reinstatement fee is $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance), plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Arizona State Board of Nursing before applying.

Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Arizona nursing license?

Arizona renews on competency evidence rather than a lapse clock: every renewal or reactivation needs one of four pathways, so a long-lapsed nurse who lacks recent practice needs the refresher pathway. One of: 960 practice hours within the past 5 years; graduation from a nursing program within 5 years; a board-approved refresher course completed within 5 years; or an advanced nursing degree within 5 years. A temporary license is available while completing a refresher.

Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Arizona license back?

Arizona publishes no routine NCLEX-retake requirement for lapsed licenses; the four competency pathways govern.

How long does Arizona license reinstatement take?

Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Arizona State Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to Nursing in Arizona

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Arizona State Board of Nursing · 2026-10-08

The Arizona RN reinstatement fee is $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance), plus any back renewal fees. What else your return takes depends on how long the license has been lapsed: short lapses are paperwork and CE, long ones can add a refresher course.

Grace period: April 1 of the renewal year is the deadline, and A.R.S. 32-1642(A) then sets two further dates. If the license is not renewed on or before May 1, the board adds a late fee of $50 for each month the license is lapsed, capped at $200 in late fees (A.R.S. 32-1643). If it is still not renewed on or before August 1, the license expires. The same statute makes it a violation of the Nurse Practice Act to practice nursing with an expired license, so check your status on the board’s verification page before working past your renewal date.

What your lapse length means in Arizona

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Arizona: $50 for each month the license is lapsed, on top of the $160 renewal fee, capped at $200 in late fees. It applies when the license is not renewed on or before May 1 of the renewal year (A.R.S. 32-1642(A) and 32-1643(A)(7)).). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Arizona: $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance)) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Arizona: $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance)) plus back fees. If Arizona requires a refresher for your situation, add tuition (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the total with the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: Arizona reinstatement pathway	Reinstatement fee (Arizona: $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance)) plus back fees. If a refresher applies to your situation, add tuition (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the total with the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Reinstating usually means catching up on continuing education. Earn it cheaply: free CE in Arizona.

Refresher course rules in Arizona

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Arizona renews on competency evidence rather than a lapse clock: every renewal or reactivation needs one of four pathways, so a long-lapsed nurse who lacks recent practice needs the refresher pathway.
What it takes: One of: 960 practice hours within the past 5 years; graduation from a nursing program within 5 years; a board-approved refresher course completed within 5 years; or an advanced nursing degree within 5 years. A temporary license is available while completing a refresher.
Re-examination: Arizona publishes no routine NCLEX-retake requirement for lapsed licenses; the four competency pathways govern.

Source: Arizona State Board of Nursing, renewal requirements, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Arizona

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.
2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.
3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.
4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.
5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).
6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Start at the source: Arizona State Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Arizona reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Arizona?: The Arizona RN reinstatement fee is $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance), plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Arizona State Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Arizona nursing license?: Arizona renews on competency evidence rather than a lapse clock: every renewal or reactivation needs one of four pathways, so a long-lapsed nurse who lacks recent practice needs the refresher pathway. One of: 960 practice hours within the past 5 years; graduation from a nursing program within 5 years; a board-approved refresher course completed within 5 years; or an advanced nursing degree within 5 years. A temporary license is available while completing a refresher.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Arizona license back?: Arizona publishes no routine NCLEX-retake requirement for lapsed licenses; the four competency pathways govern.
Is there a grace period after my Arizona license expires?: Arizona's published rule: April 1 of the renewal year is the deadline, and A.R.S. 32-1642(A) then sets two further dates. If the license is not renewed on or before May 1, the board adds a late fee of $50 for each month the license is lapsed, capped at $200 in late fees (A.R.S. 32-1643). If it is still not renewed on or before August 1, the license expires. The same statute makes it a violation of the Nurse Practice Act to practice nursing with an expired license, so check your status on the board’s verification page before working past your renewal date.. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Arizona license reinstatement take?: Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Arizona State Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Inactive vs lapsed: which path costs less

CE requirements for returning nurses

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Returning to Nursing in Arizona

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Arizona State Board of Nursing · 2026-10-08

Lapsed

Status

Estimated cost

2 months lapsed

Late renewal window (likely)

Renewal fee + late penalty (Arizona: $50 for each month the license is lapsed, on top of the $160 renewal fee, capped at $200 in late fees. It applies when the license is not renewed on or before May 1 of the renewal year (A.R.S. 32-1642(A) and 32-1643(A)(7)).). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.

1 year lapsed

Reinstatement required

Reinstatement fee (Arizona: $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance)) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.

3 years lapsed

Reinstatement + likely refresher course

Reinstatement fee (Arizona: $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance)) plus back fees. If Arizona requires a refresher for your situation, add tuition (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the total with the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

6 years lapsed

Deep lapse: Arizona reinstatement pathway

Reinstatement fee (Arizona: $150 to reissue a lapsed RN license (A.R.S. 32-1643 application for reissuance)) plus back fees. If a refresher applies to your situation, add tuition (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the total with the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

Returning to Nursing in Arizona

What your lapse length means in Arizona

Refresher course rules in Arizona

Steps to reinstate in Arizona

Arizona reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Arizona nurses

Never let it lapse again

Nursing career and CE updates by email

Returning to Nursing in Arizona

What your lapse length means in Arizona

Refresher course rules in Arizona

Steps to reinstate in Arizona

Arizona reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Arizona nurses

Never let it lapse again

Nursing career and CE updates by email