Nursing in Colorado: Requirements, Licensing, and Salary Outlook

Colorado presents many promising career opportunities for new and experienced nurses looking to practice in the state.

Colorado boasts the nation’s second highest growth rate for nursing jobs. According to the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence, the healthcare and social service sector generates $11 billion in annual revenue and supports 253,000 Colorado residents.

Find out how you can become a nurse in Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies administers state nursing licensure. In Colorado, prospective nurses must earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program before applying for licensure.

The Colorado Board of Nursing implements nursing statutes, renews licenses, and enforces nursing policies defined in the Nurse Practice Act, Nurse Aide Practice Act, and the Licensed Psychiatric Technician Practice Act.

Nurses can apply for or renew a Colorado nursing license by creating an account on its website. The site also features resources on topics like accredited RN programs in Colorado, prescription drug monitoring, and certification information. Nurses should check the website often to stay updated on changing rules and regulations.

Professionals may receive a Colorado nursing license by examination or endorsement.

New nurses who wish to practice in the state earn licensure by examination. They must take and pass the NCLEX-RN before applying for a license.

Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. The NLC lets nurses practice in participating states without applying for a new license. RNs who are licensed in another NLC state but wish to practice in Colorado must apply for licensure by endorsement.

Professionals can check their license’s status at any time through the Colorado nursing board’s website. Nurses receive a warning before their licenses expire, or if the expiration date has passed.

In Colorado, RN licenses expire on September 30 of odd- or even-numbered years, depending on the issue date. Users may not access the state’s online license renewal portal until 4-6 weeks before their license’s expiration date.

Renewal costs $108. RNs do not need to fulfill continuing education requirements to renew an active license.

Colorado is home to some of the nation’s best healthcare facilities and job opportunities. The state’s growing elderly population has led to an increased demand for nursing professionals. Data from Projections Central indicates that RN jobs in Colorado should grow by nearly 28.6% from 2020-30.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs in Colorado enjoy an average annual wage of $80,670.

While Colorado’s large metropolitan areas offer the highest median salaries, their costs of living also tend to be high. RNs in these areas also face larger workloads typically.

Every nurse’s workplace preferences are slightly different. However, U.S. News & World Report developed a ranking to determine Colorado’s best hospitals, based on how well each facility handles rare and life-threatening diseases in addition to common procedures.

Every licensed RN in Colorado must complete an accredited RN program in Colorado before taking the NCLEX-RN. An ADN takes around 2-3 years to complete, while a BSN typically lasts four years. The NCLEX-RN tests nurses’ patient care skills and knowledge.

Salary potential varies throughout the state. Higher-density cities offer better pay compared to rural areas due to cities’ larger populations and higher costs of living. According to Payscale, a nurse with a BSN living in Boulder earns around $32.09 per hour as of September 2022.

Colorado offers many benefits for up-and-coming nurses who wish to move to the state or establish themselves in the field. According to the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence, increased demand for healthcare workers should lead to more nursing jobs.

Before earning a Colorado nursing license, applicants must earn an ADN or a BSN before taking the NCLEX-RN. Colorado participates in the NLC, which allows nurses from other NLC states to relocate and begin practicing without seeking new licensure.