How to become a registered nurse (RN) in Texas
Finish a Board-approved RN program (an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, or an accelerated or bridge program), pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and the NCLEX-RN, and get licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Updated November 5, 2026. Figures come from each school's published estimates and the Texas Board of Nursing. How we get our numbers
Choose your path
| Path | Typical length | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree (ADN) | About 2 years after prerequisites | The lowest-cost route to an RN license; most are at community colleges. |
| Bachelor's degree (BSN) | 4 years, including prerequisites | Students starting college; some employers prefer or require a BSN. |
| Accelerated BSN or direct-entry MSN | About 12 to 20 months (some direct-entry MSN programs take up to 3 years) | People who already have a bachelor's degree in another field. |
| LVN-to-RN bridge | About 1 to 1.5 years | Licensed vocational nurses moving up to RN. |
What it costs
Of 72 associate degree and diploma programs, 40 publish a cost; at community colleges the median is $10,698. Of 64 BSN and direct-entry MSN programs, 12 publish a cost, and those that do range from $25,028 to $114,939. Public universities mostly charge regular tuition and don't post a nursing program total. More in how much nursing school costs in Texas.
Getting in
Texas nursing programs are competitive. Most rank applicants on prerequisite grades (especially anatomy, physiology and microbiology), an entrance exam such as the ATI TEAS or HESI A2, and sometimes healthcare experience. Many applicants apply to several programs. Each program page lists that school's requirements where published.
Licensing steps
Per the Texas Board of Nursing:
- Submit the NCLEX-RN application in the Texas Nurse Portal and pay the $75 fee (it includes the jurisprudence exam).
- Get fingerprinted for a criminal background check ($41.95 through IdentoGO).
- Pass the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam on Texas nursing law and rules.
- Register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-RN ($200; $350 for registrations on or after February 1, 2027).
- After you receive your Authorization to Test, schedule and pass the NCLEX-RN. In 2025, 88.6% of Texas first-time test takers passed.
What RNs earn in Texas
The median registered nurse wage ranges from about $77,050 to $101,420 a year across Texas areas, from federal (BLS) data.
Compare programs: best-value programs, highest pass rates, or browse by area from the Texas page.