Returning to Nursing in Connecticut

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

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing · 2026-07-13

The Connecticut RN reinstatement fee is $180, 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: 90-day grace period following license expiration. Nurses may continue to practice during this period while renewing. On the 91st day, the license becomes void and reinstatement is required ($180 for RN, $150 for LPN, $200 for APRN).

What your lapse length means in Connecticut

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Connecticut: $180) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Connecticut: $180) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Connecticut: $180) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

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 Connecticut.

Refresher course rules in Connecticut

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Out of active clinical practice for more than 3 years but less than 5: an approved refresher course is required to reinstate. Out for 3 years or less: no refresher is required.
What it takes: A Connecticut-approved refresher course. Nurses out less than 3 years who hold a current license in another state may qualify for a temporary permit while the application processes.
Re-examination: Out of practice for more than 5 years: the board requires an approved refresher course AND passage of the NCLEX-RN examination before reinstatement.

Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health, RN reinstatement, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Connecticut

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: Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Connecticut reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Connecticut?: The Connecticut RN reinstatement fee is $180, 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 Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Connecticut nursing license?: Out of active clinical practice for more than 3 years but less than 5: an approved refresher course is required to reinstate. Out for 3 years or less: no refresher is required. A Connecticut-approved refresher course. Nurses out less than 3 years who hold a current license in another state may qualify for a temporary permit while the application processes.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Connecticut license back?: Out of practice for more than 5 years: the board requires an approved refresher course AND passage of the NCLEX-RN examination before reinstatement.
Is there a grace period after my Connecticut license expires?: Connecticut's published rule: 90-day grace period following license expiration. Nurses may continue to practice during this period while renewing. On the 91st day, the license becomes void and reinstatement is required ($180 for RN, $150 for LPN, $200 for APRN).. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Connecticut 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 Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Inactive vs lapsed: which path costs less

CE requirements for returning nurses

More for Connecticut nurses

Never let it lapse again

Once you're reinstated, put the renewal date somewhere that yells. RenewRN tracks your Connecticut license countdown free.

Start free

Track your path back to active practice, free

We track the CE and steps your state requires to reactivate, so nothing slips. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

No spam. We'll never sell your email. See our Privacy Policy.

Returning to Nursing in Connecticut

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing · 2026-07-13

What your lapse length means in Connecticut

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Connecticut: $180) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Connecticut: $180) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Connecticut: $180) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

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 Connecticut.

Refresher course rules in Connecticut

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Out of active clinical practice for more than 3 years but less than 5: an approved refresher course is required to reinstate. Out for 3 years or less: no refresher is required.
What it takes: A Connecticut-approved refresher course. Nurses out less than 3 years who hold a current license in another state may qualify for a temporary permit while the application processes.
Re-examination: Out of practice for more than 5 years: the board requires an approved refresher course AND passage of the NCLEX-RN examination before reinstatement.

Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health, RN reinstatement, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Connecticut

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.

Connecticut reinstatement FAQ

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

The Connecticut RN reinstatement fee is $180, 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 Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing before applying.

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

Out of active clinical practice for more than 3 years but less than 5: an approved refresher course is required to reinstate. Out for 3 years or less: no refresher is required. A Connecticut-approved refresher course. Nurses out less than 3 years who hold a current license in another state may qualify for a temporary permit while the application processes.

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

Out of practice for more than 5 years: the board requires an approved refresher course AND passage of the NCLEX-RN examination before reinstatement.

Is there a grace period after my Connecticut license expires?

Connecticut's published rule: 90-day grace period following license expiration. Nurses may continue to practice during this period while renewing. On the 91st day, the license becomes void and reinstatement is required ($180 for RN, $150 for LPN, $200 for APRN).. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

How long does Connecticut 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 Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to Nursing in Connecticut

What your lapse length means in Connecticut

Refresher course rules in Connecticut

Steps to reinstate in Connecticut

Connecticut reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Connecticut nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free

Returning to Nursing in Connecticut

What your lapse length means in Connecticut

Refresher course rules in Connecticut

Steps to reinstate in Connecticut

Connecticut reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Connecticut nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free