Nursing Board Approved Online Prerequisites: State-by-State Guide

How State Nursing Boards Regulate Education

State nursing boards have a specific role: they regulate nursing licensure and ensure nursing education programs meet minimum standards. They do NOT regulate how prerequisite courses are delivered.

What State Boards Actually Regulate

• Nursing degree programs - BSN, ADN, and graduate programs must be board-approved
• Nursing licensure - Requirements to sit for NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN
• Nursing practice standards - Scope of practice, continuing education requirements
• Program accreditation verification - Ensuring programs meet ACEN or CCNE standards

What State Boards Do NOT Regulate

• How prerequisite courses are delivered (online vs. in-person)
• Which online providers you can use for prerequisites
• Prerequisite course format or structure
• Individual prerequisite course content (beyond accreditation verification)

This distinction is crucial: state nursing boards don't prohibit online prerequisites. They simply require that nursing degree programs verify prerequisite quality and that students meet licensure eligibility requirements.

National Standards: NCLEX-RN Requirements

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) sets the NCLEX-RN examination standards that all states use for licensure. NCSBN doesn't restrict prerequisite delivery methods—it focuses on nursing education program standards.

NCLEX-RN Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for NCLEX-RN, you must:

• Graduate from a board-approved nursing program (BSN or ADN)
• Complete all prerequisite courses required by your nursing program
• Meet your state board's specific licensure requirements
• Pass a criminal background check (requirements vary by state)

Nowhere in these requirements does NCSBN specify that prerequisites must be completed in-person. The focus is on program approval and prerequisite completion, not delivery method.

Regional Accreditation: The Universal Standard

The most important requirement across all states: your prerequisite provider must be regionally accredited.

What is Regional Accreditation?

Regional accreditation is the highest form of educational accreditation in the United States. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes seven regional accrediting bodies that evaluate colleges and universities:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• North Central Association - Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)

All state nursing boards accept prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions. This is the universal standard across all 50 states.

State-Specific Considerations

While all states accept online prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions, some states have specific requirements worth noting:

Multistate Licensure Compact

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to practice across state lines with a single license. Currently, 40+ states participate in the NLC. If you're considering practicing in multiple states, verify whether your target states are NLC members, as this affects licensure portability.

However, NLC participation doesn't affect online prerequisite acceptance—all NLC states accept online prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions.

Criminal Background Requirements

Some states have specific criminal background check requirements that may affect nursing school eligibility. While not directly related to prerequisites, this is worth researching for your target state. Check your state board of nursing website for specific requirements.

How to Verify Your State's Requirements

To confirm your state's specific requirements for online prerequisites:

1. Visit your state board of nursing website - Search for "prerequisite requirements" or "education requirements"
2. Look for accreditation requirements - Verify that regional accreditation is the standard
3. Check nursing program approval - Confirm that your target nursing program is board-approved
4. Review NCLEX eligibility - Ensure you understand your state's specific NCLEX requirements
5. Contact your state board directly - Email or call with specific questions about online prerequisite acceptance

Finding Your State Board of Nursing

NCSBN provides a directory of all state boards of nursing. Each state board website includes:

• Licensure requirements and application procedures
• Approved nursing education programs
• Prerequisite and education requirements
• Contact information for specific questions
• Frequently asked questions about licensure

Accreditation Bodies: ACEN and CCNE

Both major nursing accrediting bodies accept online prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions:

ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing)

ACEN accredits nursing programs and requires that programs verify prerequisite completion and quality. ACEN standards don't specify delivery method—only that prerequisites meet content and rigor standards.

CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)

CCNE accredits nursing programs and similarly requires prerequisite verification without specifying delivery method. CCNE-accredited programs can accept online prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions.

The Bottom Line on State Approval

All 50 states approve online nursing prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions. There is no state that prohibits online prerequisites—state boards simply require that:

• Your prerequisite provider is regionally accredited
• Your nursing degree program is board-approved and accredited
• You meet your state's specific NCLEX eligibility requirements
• You complete all prerequisites required by your nursing program

The key to success: choose an online prerequisite provider with verified accreditation or ACE recommendations, verify your target nursing program accepts online prerequisites, and confirm your state board's specific requirements.

Choosing a Quality Online Prerequisite Provider

When selecting an online prerequisite provider, verify:

• Accreditation or ACE recommendation - Check if the provider is regionally accredited or has ACE-recommended courses
• Partner nursing programs - Does the provider have partnerships with your target programs?
• Course quality - Are courses rigorous and comprehensive?
• Transfer acceptance - Do nursing programs explicitly accept this provider's credits?
• Support services - Does the provider offer tutoring, advising, and academic support?
• Cost and timeline - Can you complete prerequisites within your timeline and budget?

StraighterLine, for example, has ACE-recommended courses and 180+ partner nursing programs that explicitly accept its online prerequisites.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Understanding that all states approve online prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions removes a major barrier to nursing education. You can confidently pursue online prerequisites knowing that:

• Your state board will accept your online credits
• Nursing programs will recognize your online prerequisites
• You'll be fully eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure
• You can complete prerequisites on your timeline

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