Returning to Nursing in Texas

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Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Texas Board of Nursing · 2026-07-24

The Texas Board of Nursing sets reinstatement costs per application rather than publishing a flat fee. 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.

What your lapse length means in Texas

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Texas: $60 (under 90 days late) / $120 (over 90 days), plus the renewal fee). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Texas: varies by license type) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Texas: varies by license type) + 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 Texas.

Refresher course rules in Texas

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: License delinquent or inactive less than 4 years: reactivation takes the application, fee, and at least 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education completed within the relevant period. At 4 or more years, additional requirements apply (see below).
What it takes: At 4+ years delinquent or inactive: everything above PLUS passage of the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (NJE), PLUS either practice in the scope of the license in another jurisdiction within the last 4 years OR completion of a board-approved refresher course under a temporary refresher-course permit. A criminal background check may be required if prints are not on file.
Re-examination: Texas's published reactivation pathway uses the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam at 4+ years, not an NCLEX retake. The board decides individual cases; confirm yours before enrolling in anything.

Source: Texas Board of Nursing, RN/LVN reactivation requirements, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Texas

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: Texas Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Texas reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Texas?: The Texas Board of Nursing does not publish a flat reinstatement fee; the cost is set per application and may include back renewal fees. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top. Confirm the current total with the board before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Texas nursing license?: License delinquent or inactive less than 4 years: reactivation takes the application, fee, and at least 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education completed within the relevant period. At 4 or more years, additional requirements apply (see below). At 4+ years delinquent or inactive: everything above PLUS passage of the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (NJE), PLUS either practice in the scope of the license in another jurisdiction within the last 4 years OR completion of a board-approved refresher course under a temporary refresher-course permit. A criminal background check may be required if prints are not on file.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Texas license back?: Texas's published reactivation pathway uses the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam at 4+ years, not an NCLEX retake. The board decides individual cases; confirm yours before enrolling in anything.
Is there a grace period after my Texas license expires?: Texas does not publish a formal grace period. Treat the license as lapsed at expiration and confirm your status with the Texas Board of Nursing before practicing.
How long does Texas 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 Texas Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

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Returning to Nursing in Texas

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Texas Board of Nursing · 2026-07-24

What your lapse length means in Texas

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Texas: $60 (under 90 days late) / $120 (over 90 days), plus the renewal fee). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Texas: varies by license type) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Texas: varies by license type) + 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 Texas.

Refresher course rules in Texas

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: License delinquent or inactive less than 4 years: reactivation takes the application, fee, and at least 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education completed within the relevant period. At 4 or more years, additional requirements apply (see below).
What it takes: At 4+ years delinquent or inactive: everything above PLUS passage of the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (NJE), PLUS either practice in the scope of the license in another jurisdiction within the last 4 years OR completion of a board-approved refresher course under a temporary refresher-course permit. A criminal background check may be required if prints are not on file.
Re-examination: Texas's published reactivation pathway uses the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam at 4+ years, not an NCLEX retake. The board decides individual cases; confirm yours before enrolling in anything.

Source: Texas Board of Nursing, RN/LVN reactivation requirements, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Texas

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.

Texas reinstatement FAQ

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

The Texas Board of Nursing does not publish a flat reinstatement fee; the cost is set per application and may include back renewal fees. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top. Confirm the current total with the board before applying.

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

License delinquent or inactive less than 4 years: reactivation takes the application, fee, and at least 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education completed within the relevant period. At 4 or more years, additional requirements apply (see below). At 4+ years delinquent or inactive: everything above PLUS passage of the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (NJE), PLUS either practice in the scope of the license in another jurisdiction within the last 4 years OR completion of a board-approved refresher course under a temporary refresher-course permit. A criminal background check may be required if prints are not on file.

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

Texas's published reactivation pathway uses the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam at 4+ years, not an NCLEX retake. The board decides individual cases; confirm yours before enrolling in anything.

Is there a grace period after my Texas license expires?

Texas does not publish a formal grace period. Treat the license as lapsed at expiration and confirm your status with the Texas Board of Nursing before practicing.

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

Returning to Nursing in Texas

What your lapse length means in Texas

Refresher course rules in Texas

Steps to reinstate in Texas

Texas reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Texas nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free

Returning to Nursing in Texas

What your lapse length means in Texas

Refresher course rules in Texas

Steps to reinstate in Texas

Texas reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Texas nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free