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

The Georgia RN reinstatement fee is $90, 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 Georgia Board of Nursing before applying.

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

Fewer than 500 hours of practice as a nurse within the 4 years preceding the application (and no recent graduation): a board-approved reentry program is required. The reentry program is 40 contact hours of didactic study plus 160 hours of clinical study, completed within 6 months of board approval, plus the Georgia RN Jurisprudence Exam.

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

Georgia's published pathway is the reentry program plus the jurisprudence exam, not an NCLEX retake; the board may require additional competency assessments at its discretion.

How long does Georgia 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 Georgia Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to Nursing in Georgia

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

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

The Georgia RN reinstatement fee is $90, 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: RN/APRN: a lapsed, late renewal period from February 1 to the last day of February, in the same year the license expired. LPN: April 1 to April 30 of odd-numbered years. A $75 late fee applies.

What your lapse length means in Georgia

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Georgia: $75). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Georgia: $90) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Georgia: $90) plus back fees. If Georgia requires a refresher for your situation, add tuition (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the total with the Georgia Board of Nursing.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: Georgia reinstatement pathway	Reinstatement fee (Georgia: $90) plus back fees. If a refresher applies to your situation, add tuition (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the total with the Georgia 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 Georgia.

Refresher course rules in Georgia

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Fewer than 500 hours of practice as a nurse within the 4 years preceding the application (and no recent graduation): a board-approved reentry program is required.
What it takes: The reentry program is 40 contact hours of didactic study plus 160 hours of clinical study, completed within 6 months of board approval, plus the Georgia RN Jurisprudence Exam.
Re-examination: Georgia's published pathway is the reentry program plus the jurisprudence exam, not an NCLEX retake; the board may require additional competency assessments at its discretion.

Source: Georgia Board of Nursing Rules 410-4, last checked 2026-09-23. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Georgia

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: Georgia Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Georgia reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Georgia?: The Georgia RN reinstatement fee is $90, 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 Georgia Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Georgia nursing license?: Fewer than 500 hours of practice as a nurse within the 4 years preceding the application (and no recent graduation): a board-approved reentry program is required. The reentry program is 40 contact hours of didactic study plus 160 hours of clinical study, completed within 6 months of board approval, plus the Georgia RN Jurisprudence Exam.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Georgia license back?: Georgia's published pathway is the reentry program plus the jurisprudence exam, not an NCLEX retake; the board may require additional competency assessments at its discretion.
Is there a grace period after my Georgia license expires?: Georgia's published rule: RN/APRN: a lapsed, late renewal period from February 1 to the last day of February, in the same year the license expired. LPN: April 1 to April 30 of odd-numbered years. A $75 late fee applies.. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Georgia 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 Georgia Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Inactive vs lapsed: which path costs less

CE requirements for returning nurses

More for Georgia nurses

Never let it lapse again

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

Go to Dashboard Start free

Nursing career and CE updates by email

A monthly email with new guides and state rule changes, plus Friday free-CE picks. No account needed, unsubscribe anytime.

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

Returning to Nursing in Georgia

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

Lapsed

Status

Estimated cost

2 months lapsed

Late renewal window (likely)

Renewal fee + late penalty (Georgia: $75). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.

1 year lapsed

Reinstatement required

Reinstatement fee (Georgia: $90) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.

3 years lapsed

Reinstatement + likely refresher course

Reinstatement fee (Georgia: $90) plus back fees. If Georgia requires a refresher for your situation, add tuition (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the total with the Georgia Board of Nursing.

6 years lapsed

Deep lapse: Georgia reinstatement pathway

Reinstatement fee (Georgia: $90) plus back fees. If a refresher applies to your situation, add tuition (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the total with the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Returning to Nursing in Georgia

What your lapse length means in Georgia

Refresher course rules in Georgia

Steps to reinstate in Georgia

Georgia reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Georgia nurses

Never let it lapse again

Nursing career and CE updates by email

Returning to Nursing in Georgia

What your lapse length means in Georgia

Refresher course rules in Georgia

Steps to reinstate in Georgia

Georgia reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Georgia nurses

Never let it lapse again

Nursing career and CE updates by email