Returning to Nursing in Utah

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

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Board of Nursing · 2026-07-24

The Utah RN reinstatement fee is $50 in addition to the $68 renewal fee, for a license renewed 31 days to 2 years after expiration (a license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed and needs a new application), 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: Utah allows a late renewal period with an additional late fee. After the grace period, reinstatement is required.

What your lapse length means in Utah

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Utah: $20 in addition to the $68 renewal if renewed within 30 days of expiration (rises to $50 in addition to the renewal fee from 31 days to 2 years after expiration)). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Utah: $50 in addition to the $68 renewal fee, for a license renewed 31 days to 2 years after expiration (a license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed and needs a new application)) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Utah: $50 in addition to the $68 renewal fee, for a license renewed 31 days to 2 years after expiration (a license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed and needs a new application)) + 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 Utah.

Refresher course rules in Utah

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: A Utah license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed or reinstated; you file a new application under current requirements. What the new application demands is keyed to time out of practice in ANY jurisdiction, not lapse length: under 5 years out of practice, show the standard competency menu; 5 to 8 years out, pass the NCLEX again within 60 days of applying or complete an approved re entry program; 8 or more years out, complete a re entry program AND pass the NCLEX again (R156-31b-302d(4)). Nurses continuously practicing in another state or for the federal government may instead reinstate without examination within 6 months of reestablishing Utah residency (Utah Code 58-1-308(6)(b)).
What it takes: Expired up to 2 years: reinstatement with the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee (20 dollars within 30 days, 50 dollars from 31 days to 2 years) and proof of continuing competency. Beyond 2 years: a full new application; returners out of practice less than 5 years use the standard competency menu of 400 practice hours, or 200 practice hours plus 15 contact hours of CE, or 30 contact hours of CE in the preceding 2 years; longer gaps trigger the re entry program and NCLEX tiers above.
Re-examination: Re examination is published and explicit: optional (as the alternative to a re entry program) when 5 to 8 years out of practice, and mandatory alongside the re entry program at 8 or more years out of practice, in each case passed within 60 days of the application date.
CE catch-up: The renewal competency menu (400 practice hours, or 200 hours plus 15 CE contact hours, or 30 CE contact hours in the preceding 2 years) applies to returners out of practice less than 5 years.

Utah nursing sits under DOPL. The deciding variable is years out of practice in any jurisdiction, not years lapsed; confirm your tier with the division before enrolling in anything.

Source: Utah DOPL, RN/LPN renewal page and Nurse Practice Act Rule R156-31b, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Utah

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: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Utah reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Utah?: The Utah RN reinstatement fee is $50 in addition to the $68 renewal fee, for a license renewed 31 days to 2 years after expiration (a license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed and needs a new application), 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Utah nursing license?: A Utah license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed or reinstated; you file a new application under current requirements. What the new application demands is keyed to time out of practice in ANY jurisdiction, not lapse length: under 5 years out of practice, show the standard competency menu; 5 to 8 years out, pass the NCLEX again within 60 days of applying or complete an approved re entry program; 8 or more years out, complete a re entry program AND pass the NCLEX again (R156-31b-302d(4)). Nurses continuously practicing in another state or for the federal government may instead reinstate without examination within 6 months of reestablishing Utah residency (Utah Code 58-1-308(6)(b)). Expired up to 2 years: reinstatement with the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee (20 dollars within 30 days, 50 dollars from 31 days to 2 years) and proof of continuing competency. Beyond 2 years: a full new application; returners out of practice less than 5 years use the standard competency menu of 400 practice hours, or 200 practice hours plus 15 contact hours of CE, or 30 contact hours of CE in the preceding 2 years; longer gaps trigger the re entry program and NCLEX tiers above.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Utah license back?: Re examination is published and explicit: optional (as the alternative to a re entry program) when 5 to 8 years out of practice, and mandatory alongside the re entry program at 8 or more years out of practice, in each case passed within 60 days of the application date.
Is there a grace period after my Utah license expires?: Utah's published rule: Utah allows a late renewal period with an additional late fee. After the grace period, reinstatement is required.. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Utah 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

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Returning to Nursing in Utah

Grace period: Utah allows a late renewal period with an additional late fee. After the grace period, reinstatement is required.

What your lapse length means in Utah

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Utah: $20 in addition to the $68 renewal if renewed within 30 days of expiration (rises to $50 in addition to the renewal fee from 31 days to 2 years after expiration)). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Utah: $50 in addition to the $68 renewal fee, for a license renewed 31 days to 2 years after expiration (a license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed and needs a new application)) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Utah: $50 in addition to the $68 renewal fee, for a license renewed 31 days to 2 years after expiration (a license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed and needs a new application)) + 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 Utah.

Refresher course rules in Utah

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: A Utah license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed or reinstated; you file a new application under current requirements. What the new application demands is keyed to time out of practice in ANY jurisdiction, not lapse length: under 5 years out of practice, show the standard competency menu; 5 to 8 years out, pass the NCLEX again within 60 days of applying or complete an approved re entry program; 8 or more years out, complete a re entry program AND pass the NCLEX again (R156-31b-302d(4)). Nurses continuously practicing in another state or for the federal government may instead reinstate without examination within 6 months of reestablishing Utah residency (Utah Code 58-1-308(6)(b)).
What it takes: Expired up to 2 years: reinstatement with the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee (20 dollars within 30 days, 50 dollars from 31 days to 2 years) and proof of continuing competency. Beyond 2 years: a full new application; returners out of practice less than 5 years use the standard competency menu of 400 practice hours, or 200 practice hours plus 15 contact hours of CE, or 30 contact hours of CE in the preceding 2 years; longer gaps trigger the re entry program and NCLEX tiers above.
Re-examination: Re examination is published and explicit: optional (as the alternative to a re entry program) when 5 to 8 years out of practice, and mandatory alongside the re entry program at 8 or more years out of practice, in each case passed within 60 days of the application date.
CE catch-up: The renewal competency menu (400 practice hours, or 200 hours plus 15 CE contact hours, or 30 CE contact hours in the preceding 2 years) applies to returners out of practice less than 5 years.

Utah nursing sits under DOPL. The deciding variable is years out of practice in any jurisdiction, not years lapsed; confirm your tier with the division before enrolling in anything.

Source: Utah DOPL, RN/LPN renewal page and Nurse Practice Act Rule R156-31b, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Utah

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.

Utah reinstatement FAQ

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

The Utah RN reinstatement fee is $50 in addition to the $68 renewal fee, for a license renewed 31 days to 2 years after expiration (a license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed and needs a new application), 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Board of Nursing before applying.

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

A Utah license expired more than 2 years cannot be renewed or reinstated; you file a new application under current requirements. What the new application demands is keyed to time out of practice in ANY jurisdiction, not lapse length: under 5 years out of practice, show the standard competency menu; 5 to 8 years out, pass the NCLEX again within 60 days of applying or complete an approved re entry program; 8 or more years out, complete a re entry program AND pass the NCLEX again (R156-31b-302d(4)). Nurses continuously practicing in another state or for the federal government may instead reinstate without examination within 6 months of reestablishing Utah residency (Utah Code 58-1-308(6)(b)). Expired up to 2 years: reinstatement with the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee (20 dollars within 30 days, 50 dollars from 31 days to 2 years) and proof of continuing competency. Beyond 2 years: a full new application; returners out of practice less than 5 years use the standard competency menu of 400 practice hours, or 200 practice hours plus 15 contact hours of CE, or 30 contact hours of CE in the preceding 2 years; longer gaps trigger the re entry program and NCLEX tiers above.

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

Re examination is published and explicit: optional (as the alternative to a re entry program) when 5 to 8 years out of practice, and mandatory alongside the re entry program at 8 or more years out of practice, in each case passed within 60 days of the application date.

Is there a grace period after my Utah license expires?

Utah's published rule: Utah allows a late renewal period with an additional late fee. After the grace period, reinstatement is required.. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

How long does Utah 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to Nursing in Utah

What your lapse length means in Utah

Refresher course rules in Utah

Steps to reinstate in Utah

Utah reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Utah nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free

Returning to Nursing in Utah

What your lapse length means in Utah

Refresher course rules in Utah

Steps to reinstate in Utah

Utah reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Utah nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free