Nurses form the backbone of the nation’s healthcare industry, providing various forms of care to tens of millions of patients each year. And over the next decade, many more nurses will be needed to meet the growing demand for preventive healthcare and to provide medical services to an aging population.
In Colorado, nearly a quarter of the state’s registered nurses (RNs) are over 60, according to the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence. As these nurses retire in the coming years, new nurses will be needed to take their place to meet demand. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that employment of RNs in Colorado will grow by nearly 18% between 2022 and 2032, creating more than 9,500 new jobs. That is three times greater than the national job growth projection for RNs (6%).
Earning a license is an essential step for aspiring nurses, signifying that they are qualified and legally permitted to practice. Licensure requirements vary by state and can sometimes be confusing, so understanding what is needed and how to apply is beneficial for prospective nurses.
To qualify for a Colorado nursing license, individuals have to earn a degree from a nursing program, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program.
What Does a Registered Nurse Do?
At more than 3 million strong, registered nurses comprise the largest segment of the U.S. healthcare workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs are versatile, managing a wide range of tasks and working in a variety of settings.
While their job descriptions can vary depending on where they work and the patients they work with, they are often responsible for providing and coordinating patients’ care, educating patients and their families about their health conditions, and providing treatment instructions to patients and their families.
Other common RN responsibilities include the following:
Evaluating patients’ conditions
Documenting patients’ symptoms and medical histories
Administering medications and treatments
Developing or contributing to patients’ treatment plans
Performing diagnostic tests and analyzing the results
RNs often work in a collaborative or supportive role alongside physicians and other healthcare specialists. They may also oversee other nursing staff, such as licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants.
Registered Nurse Licensure Requirements in Colorado
All nurses must hold a license in the state where they practice. To qualify for a Colorado nursing license, prospective RNs need to do the following:
Earn a nursing degree, such as an ADN or BSN, from a state-approved nursing program.
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check.
Upload name change documentation (if applicable).
Provide information about any other healthcare licenses they may have held.
Declare their primary state of residence as Colorado and provide supporting documents.
Complete a Healthcare Professions Profile, which is added to an online database that allows consumers to find information about healthcare providers in the state.
How to Apply for a Colorado Nursing License
Individuals can apply for a Colorado nursing license in one of two ways: by examination or through endorsement.
Application by examination is for individuals who are applying for their first nursing license, which is most applicants. Application through endorsement is for individuals who currently hold a nursing license in another state and wish to get a Colorado license. The amount of time it takes to process a nursing license application varies but can take up to eight weeks.
Additionally, nurses who have a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) may practice in Colorado without getting a license from the Colorado State Board of Nursing.
Application by Examination
Application by examination applies to individuals who meet one of the following criteria:
They do not hold a nursing license in another U.S. state or territory and have completed a state-approved nursing program.
They were educated outside the U.S. and U.S. territories.
Nurses who are applying by examination — in addition to meeting the requirements listed previously — need to:
Provide information regarding their education and training.
Submit official school transcripts.
Pay the required application fee.
Upload the Test Accommodations Request Form (if applicable), which applies to individuals who have documented disabilities that impact their ability to take the licensing exam.
Application Through Endorsement
Application through endorsement is essentially a request for the Colorado State Board of Nursing to verify a nurse’s existing licensure credentials from another state’s board of nursing. Those applying through endorsement need to provide documentation verifying any prior licenses they have held and meet the state’s licensing requirements.
Nurse Licensure Compact
Colorado is one of more than 40 states and territories that are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which enables RNs who live in participating states to use their licenses to practice in other states that are part of the compact by applying for a multistate license.
For example, an RN licensed in Texas or Kansas — both states in the NLC — can practice in Colorado without applying for a Colorado license, as long as they maintain legal residency in the state that issued the original license. If they decide to move to Colorado permanently, they would then need to apply for a Colorado nursing license by endorsement.
Nurses with a license in a state that does not participate in the NLC can only practice in that state and must apply for a separate license through endorsement if they want to practice in Colorado.
Renewing a Colorado Nursing License
Colorado nursing licenses need to be renewed every two years. All RN licenses expire on September 30. Nurses can renew their licenses online beginning approximately four to six weeks before their expiration date.
Renewing a nursing license in Colorado is a relatively simple process. Nurses need to fill out a renewal application, updating their personal information, if necessary, and answering questions regarding their practice history and any disciplinary actions they have faced. There is a fee for license renewal.
While nurses in some states have to meet continuing education requirements to renew their licenses, Colorado currently does not have any such requirements for RNs. However, Colorado nurses should stay up to date on the latest advancements and trends in the industry and can benefit from taking professional development courses, which may be required by some employers.
Reactivation and Reinstatement
Nurses whose licenses have lapsed can apply for reactivation or reinstatement. The requirements for reactivation/reinstatement are similar to those of a standard application, including completing a background check and declaring a primary state of residence. Applicants also need to provide information about any nursing practice they may have engaged in since their license lapsed.
Realize Your Dream of Becoming a Nurse
In the coming years, many more nurses will be needed to offset the growing number of nurse retirements and to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services from an aging population — particularly in Colorado. Obtaining a license is an essential step for aspiring nurses and a nursing education is a prerequisite for licensure.
Either the ADN or the BSN program offered on the Denver campus of Denver College of Nursing (DCN) can prepare you for a rewarding nursing career and nursing licensure in Colorado. Our focused curriculum, which combines classroom instruction and hands-on training in labs and clinicals, can help you develop the knowledge and practical skills you need to become a well-rounded nursing professional in less than two years. DCN also offers a BSN on its Houston campus, and it has online programs for nurses looking to advance their careers.
Discover how DCN can help you achieve your goals.
Recommended Readings
Educational Requirements for a Registered Nurse
What Is an Associate Degree in Nursing?
How to Write a Winning Nursing Application Essay