Returning to nursing in Virginia

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified 2026-06-04

The Virginia RN reinstatement fee is $225, 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.

What your lapse length means in Virginia

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Virginia: $50). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Virginia: $225) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Virginia: $225) + 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.

Refresher course rules in Virginia

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Lapsed beyond one renewal period: reinstatement application, fees, evidence of a continued-competency option, and a criminal background check. Within one renewal period it is renewal plus late fee.
What it takes: Any one continued-competency option from 18VAC90-19-160 (for example 3 credit hours, or 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours, or 30 contact hours). The board may waive this for nurses holding a current unrestricted license elsewhere who practiced during the lapse.
Re-examination: Virginia publishes no routine re-examination requirement for reinstatement; the board can request additional evidence case by case.

Source: Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC90-19-190, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Virginia

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: Virginia Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Virginia reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Virginia?: The Virginia RN reinstatement fee is $225, 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 Virginia Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Virginia nursing license?: Lapsed beyond one renewal period: reinstatement application, fees, evidence of a continued-competency option, and a criminal background check. Within one renewal period it is renewal plus late fee. Any one continued-competency option from 18VAC90-19-160 (for example 3 credit hours, or 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours, or 30 contact hours). The board may waive this for nurses holding a current unrestricted license elsewhere who practiced during the lapse.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Virginia license back?: Virginia publishes no routine re-examination requirement for reinstatement; the board can request additional evidence case by case.
Is there a grace period after my Virginia license expires?: Virginia's published rule: Late renewal available for up to 6 months with additional fees; practicing on an expired license is prohibited. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Virginia 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 Virginia Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

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CE requirements for returning nurses

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What your lapse length means in Virginia

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Virginia: $50). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Virginia: $225) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Virginia: $225) + 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.

Refresher course rules in Virginia

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Lapsed beyond one renewal period: reinstatement application, fees, evidence of a continued-competency option, and a criminal background check. Within one renewal period it is renewal plus late fee.
What it takes: Any one continued-competency option from 18VAC90-19-160 (for example 3 credit hours, or 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours, or 30 contact hours). The board may waive this for nurses holding a current unrestricted license elsewhere who practiced during the lapse.
Re-examination: Virginia publishes no routine re-examination requirement for reinstatement; the board can request additional evidence case by case.

Source: Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC90-19-190, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Virginia

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.

Virginia reinstatement FAQ

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

The Virginia RN reinstatement fee is $225, 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 Virginia Board of Nursing before applying.

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

Lapsed beyond one renewal period: reinstatement application, fees, evidence of a continued-competency option, and a criminal background check. Within one renewal period it is renewal plus late fee. Any one continued-competency option from 18VAC90-19-160 (for example 3 credit hours, or 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours, or 30 contact hours). The board may waive this for nurses holding a current unrestricted license elsewhere who practiced during the lapse.

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

Virginia publishes no routine re-examination requirement for reinstatement; the board can request additional evidence case by case.

Is there a grace period after my Virginia license expires?

Virginia's published rule: Late renewal available for up to 6 months with additional fees; practicing on an expired license is prohibited. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

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

Returning to nursing in Virginia

What your lapse length means in Virginia

Refresher course rules in Virginia

Steps to reinstate in Virginia

Virginia reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Virginia nurses

Never let it lapse again

Returning to nursing in Virginia

What your lapse length means in Virginia

Refresher course rules in Virginia

Steps to reinstate in Virginia

Virginia reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Virginia nurses

Never let it lapse again