New York State's BSN in 10 Law

Answer: A baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing is an academic degree in the principles of nursing practice, nursing science, nursing education, nursing administration or nursing leadership, or in other nursing related fields, that is issued by a college or university that is registered by NYSED or accredited by an accreditation organization acceptable to the Department (recognized by USDE/CHEA) or determined by the Department to be substantially equivalent to such registered or accredited program. Baccalaureate or higher degrees in nursing may include, but are not limited to:

1. a Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) with a major in Nursing;
2. a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) Degree;
3. a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN BScN);
4. a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree;
5. a Master’s Degree in Nursing;
6. a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (DNP);
7. a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Nursing; and
8. a Doctor of Nursing Science Degree (DNS, DSN, DNSc).

Answer: Yes.

Answer: Yes, provided that the college is accredited by an accrediting organization acceptable to the Department and is legally authorized to provide online education to students located in NYS.
 

Answer: Institutions located outside the U.S. and its territories are not legally allowed to offer online bachelors or higher degree nursing programs to persons located in NYS. 
 

Answer: No. 
 

Answer: No.  All individuals licensed as an RN by NYS, another state, a United States territory or Canada on or before June 18, 2020 are exempt from the BSN in 10 Law. 
 

Answer: New York State’s BSN in 10 Law allows you to practice for 10 years after becoming licensed by NYS as an RN (until June 19, 2030). Thereafter, when you apply to renew your RN registration at your next registration renewal period after June 19, 2030, you will be required to demonstrate that you attained a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing. If you need additional time to complete the BSN in 10 Law’s education requirement, you may apply to NYSED for a “temporary educational exemption” or a “conditional registration” at that time. The BSN in 10 Law authorizes NYSED to issue such “temporary educational exemptions” and “conditional registrations” to allow RNs to practice for additional years while they complete the BSN in 10 Law education requirement. RNs who have a valid RN registration, conditional registration, or temporary education exemption in effect may continue to practice. 

Answer: Yes. If your registration has lapsed and you were licensed in NYS for 10 years or more at the time you attempt to renew your registration beyond the 10 years of licensure (e.g. on or after June 20, 2030), you will be required to demonstrate that you have met the BSN in 10 Law’s education requirement before NYSED can renew your registration to practice. In addition, should you seek to renew your registration after being licensed in NYS for 10 years or more, you may apply to NYSED at that time for a “temporary educational exemption” or a “conditional registration” if you want to practice temporarily while you complete the BSN in 10 Law’s educational requirement. 

Answer: Meeting certain conditions, RNs may apply to NYSED for a “temporary educational exemption” or a “conditional registration” if they need additional time (beyond 10 years) to complete the baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing requirement. Under the BSN in 10 Law, an RN is allowed to obtain either a “conditional registration” or a “temporary educational exemption” but not both. 

• Conditional Registrations may be issued by NYSED if an RN fails to complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure and needs additional time to do so provided the RN agrees to complete such program within one year. The conditional registration period would be for one year and may be extended for additional years for good cause. 
• Temporary Educational Exemptions may be issued by NYSED if an RN can provide evidence of applying on at least two occasions to a baccalaureate degree program or programs and is denied admission due to a lack of seats/limited number of seats. This “temporary educational exemption” would be for a single two-year period. 

As soon as an RN completes the required baccalaureate  bachelors or higher degree in nursing, the RN can apply to NYSED to renew their registration to practice as an RN.

Answer: If you are subject to the BSN in 10 Law education requirement, and you do not complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing within 10 years of becoming licensed in NYS and you are not granted a temporary educational exemption or a conditional registration, you must cease practicing as a NYS licensed RN when you are no longer registered by NYSED to practice as an RN. However, you may resume practice as a NYS licensed RN as soon as you complete the required nursing education and NYSED issues you a registration to practice as an RN.

Answer: If your NYS LPN registration is inactive, you can submit a Delayed Registration Form Online. If NYSED reissues you a registration, you can practice as an LPN in NYS for three years. You may only engage in activities withing the scope of an LPN and may not provide services restricted to an RN. In the event you subsequently meet the BSN in 10 Law education requirement, you may submit an application to renew your RN registration. Read more information about applying for a delayed registration and how you can renew your registration.

Answer: The BSN in 10 Law exempts many NYS licensed RNs from the requirement to complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing program. To qualify for an exemption, you must demonstrate to NYSED that you meet criteria described in items, A, B, C, D or E below:

• Item A 
  You were issued an unrestricted license as a RN in NYS, another state, a United States Territory or Canada on or before June 18, 2020. You qualify for this exemption regardless of whether your RN license is currently active, inactive, or expired. 
   
• Item B 
  You were eligible and applied to take the National Council Licensure Examination in New York State, another state, United States Territory or Canada on or before June 18, 2020. You qualify for this exemption even if you did not take or pass the NCLEX-RN before June 18, 2020. 
   
• Item C 
  You entered a baccalaureate or higher degree program registered by the department or accredited by an accreditation organization acceptable to NYSED, or determined to be substantially equivalent at preparing registered professional nurses on or before June 18, 2020, provided you were enrolled in such program on a continuous basis until completion of such program. 
   
• Item D 
  You entered a program RNs registered by NYSED or accredited by an accreditation organization acceptable to the Department, or determined to be substantially equivalent on or before June 18, 2020, provided you were enrolled in such program on a continuous basis until completion of such program. 
   
• Item E
  You had an application pending in a program preparing registered professional nurses registered by the department or accredited by an accreditation organization acceptable to NYSED, or determined by the Department to be substantially equivalent on or before June 18, 2020, provided you can submit corroborating documentation acceptable to the department, which shall be certified by the higher education institution or institutions at issue, that demonstrates that the student had an application pending with such registered program or programs.

Answer: At this time, you do not need to submit to NYSED verification that you meet the BSN in 10 education requirements, are exempt from the BSN in 10 Law or request for a “temporary educational exemption” or a “conditional registration. NYSED is currently reviewing its process and procedures and working on implementation strategies and will provide comprehensive updates on our website at a later date. Continue to review our website for the latest information.