Resource Center: The Complete Guide to Nursing in Indiana

Published: June 15, 2020  Updated: May 16, 2023

If you’re interested in becoming a nurse in Indiana—or if you’re looking for nursing resources in the state—keep reading. This page has everything you need to know about nursing in the Hoosier State, including the job outlook for nurses, scholarships, nursing license information, continuing education requirements and more.

A smiling nurse wearing scrubs

How to Apply for an Indiana Nursing License

Once you have completed an accredited nursing program and successfully passed the National Council Licensure Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN), you can apply for a nursing license in Indiana by completing the state’s application for nurse licensure. Your application needs to be mailed to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency or submitted online. It must include the following:

  • Finished application: Complete the application for licensure as a nurse.
  • Application fee: A $50 nonrefundable application fee is payable to Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. Make sure to also check the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency website for any updates relating to fees and more.
  • Documentation of name change: If necessary, include a copy of your marriage or divorce decree if your documents have legal naming inconsistencies.

Once your application is processed, you’ll have to complete a criminal background check, which will include fingerprinting.

Note that the nursing licensure process is slightly different for Canadian and other foreign nursing graduates. Check the Indiana Board of Nursing’s application and instructions page for more information.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Is Indiana a Member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes. The benefit of being an NLC member is that you can have a single, multistate license that allows you to practice nursing in Indiana and other NLC-participating states. Multistate licensure removes the hassle of applying for licensure in multiple states and paying each state’s renewal fees.

How to Look up an Indiana Nursing License

You can use the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency’s free license search tool to look up a nursing license in Indiana. This is helpful if you want to find out when your license expires or check the disciplinary history of another license.

Continuing Education Requirements

Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Indiana are not required to complete continuing education for license renewal.

You are required to take a refresher course; however, if your license has been expired for three or more years and you aren’t licensed in another jurisdiction, you’ll also need to submit a renewal form, make an appearance before the Board and pay a fee. Check the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency website for up-to-date fees.

For more information about continuing education requirements for Indiana nurses, visit the Indiana State Board of Nursing’s continuing education page.

Demand for Nurses in Indiana

The job outlook for nurses in Indiana is bright, according to the U.S. Department of Labor:

  • The agency projects that employment of registered nurses in Indiana will grow 8% from 2020 to 2030.
  • That’s 4,120 annual projected job openings.

Nursing jobs in Indiana are growing at a faster rate than for the nation as a whole; from 2021 through 2031, employment of registered nurses in the U.S. is expected to grow 6%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Indiana Professional
Licensing Agency (PLA)

Website: https://www.in.gov/pla/
Phone: 317-232-2980 or 800-457-8283
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday

Address: 402 West Washington Street, Room W072, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Indiana Board
of Nursing

Website: https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/nursing-home/nursing-board/
Phone: 317-234-2043
Email: pla2@pla.IN.gov

Address: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Attn: Indiana State Board of Nursing, 402 West Washington Street, Room W072, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Top Health Care Employers in Indiana

Based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s list of the state’s largest employers, below are some of the top health care employers in Indiana where nurses can look for jobs.

Nursing Organizations and Scholarships

Professional Organizations for Nurses in Indiana

Specialty Nursing Organizations in Indiana

  • Indiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists

    The Indiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (INANA) is committed to advocating and providing professional development opportunities for certified registered nurse anesthetists in the state of Indiana.

    Website: https://inana.org/
    Email: lisamcgrath@frontlineco.com  
    Phone: 217-528-3434
    Address: 100 East Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62701

  • Indiana Health Care Association

    The Indiana Health Care Association (IHCA) is the state’s biggest association representing assisted living, independent living and skilled-nursing communities. Together with the Indiana Center for Assisted Living (INCAL), IHCA/INCAL’s boasts over 480 member facilities that represent over 60% of the state’s long-term care (LTC) facilities.


    Website: https://www.ihca.org
    Email: refer to the IHCA Our Team page
    Phone: 800-466-4422
    Address: 1 North Capitol, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Nursing Scholarships for Indiana Residents

Earn a Nursing Degree in Indiana

Are you a nurse who wants to take the next step in your career? Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing offers an online RN-to-BSN program and online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. Both provide class flexibility to suit your schedule. If you want to gain skills and knowledge to keep pace with Indiana nursing and advance your career, learn more about our programs. Request more information today.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS

For informational purposes only. Students should confirm stated information independently on their own.

Sample of employment and nursing scholarships listed above is for general reference and does not include all available sources. Purdue Northwest is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the providers listed in the sample.

NCLEX Exam: NCLEX is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.

Job Growth Projections: Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, O*Net, Indiana Employment Trends for Registered Nurses and Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses