Admission to the nursing program and completion of course requirements do not guarantee students the right to take the licensing examination for registered nurses. In order to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses, graduation with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree is required. Students must submit an application for licensure to a state board of nursing.
An applicant who has been indicted or convicted of an offense other than a minor traffic violation, who is under investigation for possible violation of the Nurse Practice Act, or who has been issued a license which has been encumbered (denied, revoked, suspended, surrendered, restricted or placed on probation) by any state board may be permitted to take the licensing examination at the discretion of the Georgia Board of Nursing. The license may not be issued until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the Board. If charges are substantiated, the license may be denied or sanctioned despite the applicant's meeting all other criteria for licensure.