Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
Pennsylvania joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2021. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are popular first-jobs for international nurses.
Requirements, fees, and forms change frequently. Always confirm directly with the official Pennsylvania board before applying or paying fees.
We do not collect fees. Use official sites.
Pathway does not handle regulator payments. Do not pay agents who ask you to transfer fees into personal bank accounts. Submit applications, credential evaluations, and payments only on the official regulator website. If an agent cannot demonstrate access to your actual regulator portal, walk away.
- Regulator payments only go to the regulator — never a "representative".
- Real regulators publish fees and forms openly on their own sites.
- No official body "guarantees" visas, jobs, or licences.
What the Pennsylvania board typically asks for.
Often required — Confirm directly with the board — policies vary and change.
Confirm directly with the board — policies vary and change.
Confirm directly with the board — policies vary and change.
How the Pennsylvania NCLEX path usually runs.
Board-specific details vary — this is the general order most internationally-educated nurses follow.
- 1
Confirm board acceptance of your credentials
Read the Pennsylvania board's page on international applicants. Decide whether CGFNS or a state-specific evaluation applies to you.
- 2
Order credential evaluation
If required, open your CGFNS CES (or state-specific) account. Documents flow directly from your nursing school and board to the evaluator.
- 3
Submit Pennsylvania board application + fee
Apply through the board's official portal. Pay the state licensure fee. Do not pay agents on behalf of the board.
- 4
Register for NCLEX with Pearson VUE
After the board approves you, register with Pearson VUE and pay the NCLEX fee. Wait for the Authorization to Test (ATT) email.
- 5
Sit NCLEX
NCLEX testing in Africa is currently in Nairobi (Kenya) and Johannesburg (South Africa) — confirm the current list on NCSBN before booking. Your ATT window is typically 90 days.
- 6
Receive licence + start VisaScreen
The Pennsylvania board issues the RN licence after you pass. VisaScreen (separate from NCLEX) is required for most US work visas.
Pennsylvania official source
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing is the sole authority for RN licensure in Pennsylvania. Any third-party directory (including this one) should be verified against their website before you pay.
Pathway provides guidance only. We are not an immigration lawyer, a nursing regulator, or a visa agent. Outcomes depend on regulators and authorities, not on us.
Other state boards nurses compare against Pennsylvania.
Check if Pennsylvania is right for you.
Answer a few questions about your training and destination. We map the exact Pennsylvania board steps and flag the common traps before you pay.