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How to Become a Nurse in Arizona

Published on: April 20, 2023 | 12 minutes read

By: Elizabeth Quinn

  • Blog: Nursing and Health Sciences

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Nurse helping patient

In Arizona, and in most other states, becoming a nurse is a multi-step process that involves formal education, on-the-job training, and a licensing examination.

For most aspiring nurses, the journey starts with a nursing education program. And if you hope to work in Arizona, you will need to choose a program that meets all the state’s requirements for practicing as a nurse. The CCNE-accredited, Arizona-certified nursing programs at Alliant University can help prepare you for every step of the way.

Of course, there are many different types of nurses. In Arizona, becoming a registered nurse (RN) is considered the entry point to a nursing career. To earn this title, you will need to understand the educational, legal, and professional requirements to start this valued career in healthcare.

This guide will walk you through what is required to become an RN and explain how to become a nurse in Arizona.

Key Takeaways

  • To become a nurse in Arizona, you must earn a nursing degree, pass a standardized licensing exam, and obtain a state nursing license.
  • Becoming a professional RN can take anywhere from two to five years, depending on the route you choose.
  • The path to working as an RN begins with a solid educational foundation that can only be built through reputable nursing programs, such as the CCNE-accredited program at Alliant University.

What is a Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse is a state-credentialed medical professional responsible for delivering and coordinating nursing care alongside other team members. From hospitals to schools, RNs work in different settings and encounter patients of various backgrounds and health conditions.

Depending on their training and specialty, registered nurses may also specialize in certain fields of medicine, including oncology, geriatrics, ICU care, and others. However, almost all RNs will understand and carry out the same common nursing skills, including:[1]

  • Assessing patient condition, medical history, and symptomatic changes
  • Observing and recording patient symptoms and progress
  • Administering medicines and treatments
  • Treating and disinfecting wounds
  • Operating medical devices and equipment
  • Performing diagnostic tests and analyzing test results
  • Communicating with patients and family members on care plans
  • Explaining home treatments or post-care routines

How to Be a Nurse in Arizona: 3 Steps

Whether you are an Arizona local or an out-of-town practitioner, you must complete the state’s specific nursing and educational requirements to work as an RN. In short, the steps to becoming an RN in Arizona are:

  • Completing a valid nursing degree (i.e., bachelor’s, master’s program, or doctorate in nursing)
  • Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
  • Applying for and obtaining an Arizona state nursing license

While the standards apply to all, every path toward a nursing career may look slightly different. If you are ready to pursue nursing, begin with these three steps to become a nurse in the Grand Canyon State.

Step 1: Earn A Nursing Degree

Education is the pillar of every healthcare profession, including nursing. That is why every state government requires you to earn a nursing degree to become an RN. Without a degree from an accredited institution, you cannot qualify for a state’s licensure exam or legally practice in the healthcare industry.[2] Many students ask, “Can you become an RN online?” Some coursework is available remotely, but hands-on clinical hours must be completed in person.

Every nursing education program differs slightly across the curriculum and content. However, a typical nursing program will usually cover the following subjects:[3]

  • Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Microbiology
  • Psychology
  • Gerontology
  • Women and infant health
  • Ethics
  • Clinical theory and study
  • Care transitions

There are a few different types of degrees that cover these topics and allow you to qualify as a registered nurse. The subjects a given program covers (and their level of rigor or extensiveness) may also vary according to the education level it provides. Depending on your previous education, current degrees, and career goals, you may pick any of the following health sciences programs to become an RN in Arizona:[4]

Before applying to any of these programs, make sure that you meet their admission criteria and are eligible for admission. Each program will require you to hold a high school diploma or GED for entry. Additionally, most nursing programs will ask you to meet academic standards, which may include:

  • One year of high school biology with a C or better
  • One year of high school chemistry with a C or better
  • Two years of college-preparatory math with a C or better
  • An adequate GPA score (typically above 2.75)
  • Adequate standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, or TEAS)

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX Exam

Once you graduate from a qualified nursing program, you have completed the largest portion of your nursing career journey. Now, it is time to take the next step–successfully passing the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The NCLEX is a national test required for all nursing students to become registered nurses, regardless of location. This exam asks students to demonstrate their understanding of nursing to earn their RN licensure from a state government. Arizona allows all nursing students to take the test as many times as needed to pass (although extra fees may apply).[5]

The Arizona Board of Nursing (AZBN) currently operates the state’s NCLEX exam. While you can register for the test up to two months before your graduation, you can only take the NCLEX once your nursing degree is posted and approved (usually four to six weeks after graduation).

You can prepare yourself to take the NCLEX exam through these steps:

  1. Assemble the required information and begin your application online.
  2. Send your application to the AZBN within two years of your graduation.
  3. Register with NCSBN to sit for the exam (which requires a $200 application fee).
  4. Request school transcripts to be sent to the AZBN.
  5. Complete a state-run background check.
  6. Choose your desired test date once approved.
  7. If desired, apply for a temporary license under two circumstances:
    1. Your fingerprints are rejected, and you have already passed the NCLEX
    1. It has been more than two years since you graduated, and a refresher course is required

The NCLEX exam is a pass/fail test with a base logit score of 0.00. Any correct answers move your logit score above zero, while wrong answers move your score below zero. If your final score is 0.00 or higher, then you pass.[6] The first Master of Science in Nursing–Direct Entry cohort at Alliant, which graduated in December 2025, achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate![7]

Typically, you will receive your results about six weeks after your test.[8]

Step 3: Apply for an Arizona State License

If you passed the NCLEX, then congratulations! You are one step closer to becoming a registered nurse in Arizona.

As mentioned, RNs must be licensed in the state where they practice. However, there are a few ways to apply and qualify for a nursing license, particularly in Arizona. The Arizona State Board of Nursing requires one of the following processes for each type of applicant:[9]

  • Licensure by Examination – If you have no prior RN license in any state or hold a license in a non-Compact state (see below), then you must apply by examination in Arizona. This means students must produce an adequate nursing degree (with transcripts), pass the NCLEX, pass a criminal background check (including a fingerprint card), and confirm citizenship status to earn a registered nurse license in Arizona.[10]
  • Licensure by Endorsement – If you already hold an RN license in a different state, you may be qualified to practice, all thanks to the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This compact between certain states allows RNs to fast-track their way to multi-licensure. As long as you meet all examination licensure qualifications, hold a United States Social Security number, and meet state board approval, you can earn an Arizona registered nurse license. However, Arizona must be your Primary State of Residence to apply for licensure by endorsement.
  • Licensure by Renewal – In Arizona, RN licenses expire every four years.[11] To renew your license, you must have practiced at least 960 hours over the past five years, graduated from a nursing program or advanced nursing degree in the last five years, or completed an AZBN-approved refresher course in the past five years. Otherwise, you must completely start over with the licensing process by examination.
Discover Nursing Programs

How Long Does It Take to Become an RN in Arizona?

The timeline to becoming an RN in Arizona depends mostly on the nursing program you choose. Because your schooling makes up the bulk of the step-by-step process, the program you enroll in can change your journey length by one to two years.

The four potential programs for future Arizona-based RNs are:

  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – This two-year degree program prepares nursing students to become registered nurses through classroom instruction and hands-on clinical nursing experience.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – A BSN is a four-year degree program that includes more comprehensive courses in nursing theory, research, leadership, and clinical experience.
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Usually lasting two years, an MSN is an opportunity for BSN degree holders to deepen their education. MSN programs can open more career paths, such as educational roles or specialized jobs.
  • Master of Science in Nursing Direct Entry (MSN-Direct Entry) – This accelerated nursing program, designed to take two to three years, is built for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in non-nursing subjects. Also called immersion programs, these opportunities allow graduates from other scientific fields to translate their prior knowledge into nursing-specific expertise. Direct-entry programs are usually the shortest path to a nursing career for professionals with other degrees.

What Skills Do Registered Nurses Need?

To work as an RN in Arizona or any other state, you will need to master a range of hard and soft nursing skills, including:

  • Patient assessment – Nurses must ask questions and use logic to assess a patient’s concerns and help develop a treatment plan.
  • Communication – Much of a nurse’s job is communicating, both with patients and with other healthcare professionals, including support staff like a certified nursing assistant. An RN must have strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Critical thinking – Every situation is different. This means RNs cannot simply follow a “guidebook” on nursing. Each patient scenario will require deep and nuanced thought.
  • Attention to detail – Because small mistakes can have massive consequences, thoroughness and precision are essential parts of nursing.
  • Clinical decision-making – A nurse has to make quick, accurate decisions about patient well-being—sometimes without input from anyone else.

Though these skills may seem challenging to learn, the right nursing program will help you practice them through coursework and clinical training.

Why Should I Become an RN in Arizona?

You have likely heard stories from nurses about overnight shifts, difficult patient cases, and workplace stress. These are all real scenarios. However, despite the challenges, there are many reasons why you would want to become a nurse.

For many aspiring nurses, the reasons to continue pursuing an RN career include:[12]

  • Positive impact – Having the ability to positively impact (and even potentially save) a person’s life is a unique opportunity that can be hugely rewarding.
  • Flexibility – Although nurses work long shifts, hospital nurses typically only work a three-day work week, giving them plenty of time to recoup, socialize with loved ones, or pursue hobbies during their days off.
  • Specialization opportunities – Some nursing specialties include cardiac care, dermatology, forensics, toxicology, and ambulatory care.
  • Passion for the subject matter – Individuals who are interested in topics like physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology will get to learn more about these (and related) subjects.

Establish Your Nursing Career in Arizona with Alliant University

Nursing is more than a career. It is a calling to help others lead better and healthier lives. And to heed that call, you have to begin with a formal education at a reputable school.

At Alliant University, our CCNE-accredited, AZBN-approved BSN and MSN-DE programs provide students from diverse educational backgrounds with the collegiate nursing education needed to pursue a career in nursing.

Whether you hope to practice in a public school or hospital, our expert faculty is ready to help you achieve your educational goals as an aspiring nurse so that one day, you can reach your career goals as a registered nurse.

Discover more about our nursing programs at the School of Nursing and Health Sciences today.

Sources:

[1] “What Is a Registered Nurse (RN)?” Indeed, January 22, 2026. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-an-rn-registered-nurse.

[2] “Apply for a License.” Arizona Board of Nursing. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/apply-license.

[3] “Common Nursing Courses In RN Programs.” NurseJournal, September 26, 2025. https://nursejournal.org/articles/cothe mmon-courses-you-will-take-for-your-rn-degree/.

[4] Carlton, Genevieve. “Learn about the Many Types of Nursing Degrees and Career Levels.” NurseJournal, September 22, 2025. https://nursejournal.org/degrees/types-of-nursing-degrees/.

[5] “Renew Your License.” Arizona Board of Nursing. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/renew-your-license.

[6] “Passing Standard.” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/passing-standard.page.

[7] “Report 1 – Number and Percent Passing of First-Time Candidates Educated in NRB Jurisdictions.” Arizona Board of Nursing. https://azbn.gov/sites/default/files/RN-NCLEX-Quarterly-Report-2026.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2026.

[8] “Results.” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/results.page.

[9] “Apply for a License.” Arizona Board of Nursing. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/apply-license.

[10] “Apply for a License.” Arizona Board of Nursing. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/apply-license.

[11] “Apply for a License.” Arizona Board of Nursing. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/apply-license.

[12] Morris, Gayle. “Why Choose a Career in Nursing.” NurseJournal, November 5, 2025. https://nursejournal.org/articles/reasons-to-choose-a-career-in-nursing/.

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