Nursing License vs. Certification: What You Need to Know

Both.

Nurses need to have a nursing license in order to practice nursing. A nursing license is issued by the state board of nursing in the state where the nurse wants to practice. In order to obtain a nursing license, nurses must graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

In addition to a nursing license, nurses may also need to have a certification in a specific nursing specialty. Nursing certifications are issued by professional organizations and demonstrate that nurses have met certain educational and experience requirements in a particular area of nursing. While nursing certifications are not required in order to practice nursing, they can be helpful for nurses who want to advance their careers or specialize in a particular area of nursing.