Nursing Licensure
Nursing
Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing
The Practical Nursing diploma prepares students to become a practical nurse. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Practical Nursing program details
The Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing prepares students to become a professional nurse. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and to practice as a Registered Nurse.
AAS Nursing Degree program details
The SCC Nursing Program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON).
State Licensure
SCC makes every effort to verify the information provided on requirements for licensure is accurate and up-to-date, however, these requirements are subject to change at any time. Students who will be seeking licensure as a Registered Nurse are strongly encouraged to review the licensure requirements at the associated website, linked below where available, for the state or territory in which they intend to practice.
SCC is part of NC-SARA: National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. Listed below are states or jurisdictions and whether or not the SCC Nursing Program “Meets or Does Not Meet” that particular states regulations for licensure by examination and if an SCC Nursing Program graduate may take the NCLEX test in that state. (Updated April 4, 2025.)
| State/Territory | Meets Education Requirements for Licensure | If Does Not Meet, rationale... |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Meets | |
| Alaska | Meets | |
| American Samoa | Undetermined | Contact the Department of Health, America Samoa: 1 (684) 633-5871 |
| Arizona | Meets | |
| Arkansas | Meets | |
| California | Does Not Meet | Requires 6 credits in Communication as prerequisite (SCC has 3 credits; ENG-105: Composition 1) |
| Colorado | Meets | |
| Connecticut | PN: Does Not Meet ADN: Undetermined |
PN: Requires 1500 contact hours. ADN: External degrees are reviewed on an individual basis. |
| Delaware | Meets | |
| District of Columbia | Meets | |
| Florida | Meets | |
| Georgia | Meets | |
| Guam | Meets | |
| Hawaii | Meets | |
| Idaho | Meets | |
| Illinois | Meets | |
| Indiana | Does Not Meet | RN Faculty Requires master's degree Minimum |
| Iowa | Meets | |
| Kansas | Meets | |
| Kentucky | Meets | |
| Louisiana | PN: Does Not Meet ADN: Meets |
PN: Requires at least 1500 "clock hours" |
| Maine | Meets | |
| Maryland | Meets | |
| Massachusetts | Meets | |
| Michigan | Meets | |
| Minnesota | Meets | |
| Mississippi | Meets | |
| Missouri | Meets | |
| Montana | Meets | |
| Nebraska | Meets | |
| Nevada | Meets | |
| New Hampshire | Meets | |
| New Jersey | Meets | |
| New Mexico | Meets | |
| New York | Meets (see additional requirements) | PN: Requires Infection Control Course Approved by NYSED ADN: Requires Child Abuse Reporting and Infection Control Courses Approved by NYSED |
| North Carolina | Meets | |
| North Dakota | Meets | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Undetermined | Contact Northern Mariana Islands Board of Nursing: 1 (670) 233-2263. See https://nmibon.info/ |
| Ohio | Meets | |
| Oklahoma | Meets | |
| Oregon | Meets | |
| Pennsylvania | PN: Does Not Meet ADN: Meets (see additional requirements) |
PN: Requires 1500 hours. ADN: Requires 3 hour board approved CE in child abuse recognition & reporting for initial licensure. |
| Puerto Rico | Undetermined (no longer on list from NCSBN) | www.salud.gov.pr / 1 (787) 725-7506 |
| Rhode Island | Meets | |
| South Carolina | Meets | |
| South Dakota | Meets | |
| Tennessee | Does Not Meet | PN: Requires Clinical Hours in Mother/Infant- 60; Care of Children 35; Mental Health 35. No one faculty member shall teach all of the classroom(theory) content. At least one RN employed FT to direct each program. |
| Texas | Meets | |
| Utah | Meets | |
| Vermont | Meets | |
| Virgin Islands | Meets | |
| Virginia | Does Not Meet | PN: Requires 400 clinical hours. ADN: Requires 500 clinical hours. |
| Washington | Meets | |
| West Virginia | Meets | |
| Wisconsin | Meets | |
| Wyoming | Meets |
Licensure requirements are different in each state. Students enrolled in nursing programs are encouraged to review the licensure requirements for each state they will be practicing.
State contact information can be found on the ncsbn.org link with a dropdown for each state.
Board of Nursing Profession Licensure Requirements by State/US Department of Education Regulation 34 CFR
https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/education/board-of-nursing-licensure-requirements.page
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows a nurse to have one multistate license with the ability to practice in the home state and other compact states.
https://www.ncsbn.org/compacts.page
NC-SARA
The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a private nonprofit organization [501(c)(3)] that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs.
Recognizing the growing demand for distance education opportunities, higher education stakeholders – including state regulators and education leaders, accreditors, the U.S. Department of Education, and institutions – joined together in 2013 to establish the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which streamline regulations around distance education programs.
In partnership with four regional compacts, NC-SARA helps states, institutions, policymakers, and students understand the purpose and benefits of participating in SARA. Today, more than 2,200 institutions in 49 member states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands all voluntarily participate in SARA.
Why NC-SARA Matters:
- Improves distance education program quality nationwide.
- Makes it easier for students to access distance education programs across state lines.
- Reduces costs and bureaucracy for states and institutions.
- Improves coordination between states on higher education opportunities.
- Provides valuable oversight of distance education programs.
- Shares out-of-state learning experience data like clinical hours and practice teaching.