Q: What is the Guam Board of Nurse Examiners (GBNE)?
A: The GBNE is the regulatory authority responsible for licensing, regulating, promulgating, and disciplining nurses practicing in Guam
Q: Who does the GBNE regulate?
A: The GBNE is responsible for the licensure and regulation of all nursing professionals in the Territory of Guam. This includes:
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
- Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), including:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM)
- Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP)
Q: How often does the GBNE meet?
A: Board meetings are regularly scheduled for the second (2nd) Thursday of each month at 3:00 PM CHST. Meeting dates are subject to change due to scheduling conflicts or unforeseen circumstances.
Q: How can I attend a Board meeting, and where are the agenda and Zoom details located?
A: GBNE meetings are open to the public and can be attended either in person or virtually via Zoom. All in-person meetings are held at the Health Professional Licensing Office (HPLO), located in the Terlaje Professional Building, Suite 209, Hagåtña.
To view the meeting agenda, Zoom link, Meeting ID, and Passcode, please visit the GBNE Home Page and scroll down to the "Upcoming Events" section. Under the "Upcoming Events" column, look for the entry titled "GBNE Board Meeting" followed by the current month and date. Click on the event title to open the full details, which will include the Zoom link, Meeting ID, Passcode, and physical room location.
Licensing:
Q: How do I submit an application (Initial, Renewal, Endorsement, Reinstatement, APRN Authorization, or Prescriptive Authority, etc.)?
A: All application types—including Initial (CNA, RN, LPN), Renewal, Endorsement, Reinstatement, APRN Authorization, Prescriptive Authority, etc.—are now processed through our online licensing portal. You can create an account and submit your documents at https://gbne.boardsofnursing.org/gbne. Physical applications are no longer accepted.
Q: How should I pay the application, license, renewal, or other fee?
A: Payments can be made online (5% convenience fee) at https://guamhplo.org/gbne/pay. After completing your transaction, save a copy of your e-receipt and upload the receipt directly to your online portal as proof of payment.
Q: How long does the licensing process take for Initial, Renewal, Endorsement, Reinstatement, APRN Authorization, or Prescriptive Authority, etc. applications?
A: The processing time is generally the same across all application types. Applications typically undergo a preliminary review within 5–7 business days of receipt. You will be notified via the Message Center on the online portal if your application is incomplete. The entire process usually takes 4–8 weeks, depending on the completeness of your submission and the volume of applications being processed.
Note: Certain applications rely on third-party documents (such as transcripts or out-of-state verifications), which may extend the overall timeline depending on how quickly those external agencies respond.
Q: When can I get a status update on my application?
A: Once the preliminary review is completed, the GBNE staff will notify you of any deficiencies via the Message Center on the online portal. If there are no deficiencies, the application will move forward to the next phase of the application process.
Q: How long is my license valid?
A: Licensure cycles are determined by your nursing classification.
- RN, LPN, and APRN: Licenses expire on September 30 of every odd-numbered year.
- CNA: Licenses expire on September 30 of every even-numbered year.
Q: Why do I have to provide you with my Social Security Number (SSN)?
A: Federal legislation mandates that any government entity that issues a license (driver’s license, business license, professional license) must collect an SSN. Compliance is mandatory for the issuance of a license.
Q: Can my application be expedited if I have an employment opportunity pending the approval of my application?
A: No. Applications are reviewed and considered in the order they are received. To help ensure your application is complete and processed promptly, we recommend obtaining any required documents from external organizations or third parties prior to submission.
Q: When will I receive my physical license card in the mail?
A: The GBNE no longer issues physical license cards. To verify the status of your license or provide proof to an employer, please use our online verification system. You may verify your license by visiting: https://guamhplo.org/gbne/portals and clicking the “License Verification Portal” tab. You may search your licensee status by FIRST and LAST NAME.
Note to Employers: The License Verification Portal provides the most up-to-date information regarding a nurse's licensure status. If an employer has additional questions or requires further assistance, please have them contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Q: How do I submit my official transcripts and Certificate of Nursing Education Form?
A: Official transcripts and the Certificate of Nursing Education Form must be sent directly from your school to the GBNE. They can be mailed to our physical office in Hagatna or emailed to [email protected] or [email protected].
Q: I am an APRN applicant; can I submit my own National Certificate?
A: No. Your National Certificate must be sent directly to the GBNE by your certifying body. They can be mailed to our physical office in Hagatna or emailed to [email protected] or [email protected].
Q: What are Police and Court Clearances?
A: A Police Clearance is obtained from your local jurisdiction’s police department and a Court Clearance is obtained from your local judicial court system.
Q: What if my jurisdiction does not provide these documents?
A: If these are unavailable in your area, you may provide one of the following:
- Third-Party Background Check: Use a service like CastleBranch (select "Personal Background Check, no drug test"). Note: GBNE is not affiliated with these services.
- Fingerprint Results: We do not accept the physical card, but we will accept the official results of a fingerprint check.
- Self-Attestation: You may submit a signed statement attesting that your jurisdiction does not provide these records. Warning: Providing false information in an attestation may lead to disciplinary action.
Q: How recent must my clearances be?
A: Both clearances must be issued within 60 days of your application submission date.
Verification:
Q: How do I obtain a license verification from the Guam Board of Nurse Examiners?
A: Active primary source verification may be found by visiting:
https://guamhplo.org/gbne/portals and clicking the “License Verification Portal” tab. You may search a licensee status by FIRST and LAST NAME.
If you are unable to locate a licensee, please contact the HPLO Office via email:
[email protected] or [email protected] with the subject line: License Verification: Licensee Name
Renewal:
Q: How often do I need to renew my license?
A: Nursing licenses are renewed every two years. The expiration year depends on your license type:
- RN, LPN, and APRN: Renew by September 30 of every odd-numbered year.
- Your APRN license must be renewed concurrently with your RN license.
- CNA: Renew by September 30 of every even-numbered year.
Q: What are the continuing education (CE) requirements for renewal?
A: The CE requirements depend on your license type:
- RN, LPN, and APRN: Must complete a minimum of 30 CEs.
- APRN with Prescriptive Authority: Must complete a minimum of 30 CEs; at least 5 of the 30 hours must be specifically in pharmacotherapeutics (pharmacology).
- CNA: Must complete a minimum of 15 CEs.
Required Document: a. A completed “Continuing Education Report” form. -
https://guamhplo.org/sites/default/files/continuing_education_report_form_fillable_0.pdf
Note: All licensees are subject to audit. The Board may conduct random audits at any time to verify the validity of your continuing education.
Q: How early can I submit my renewal application during a renewal year?
A: Renewal applications may be submitted three (3) months prior to expiration.
Q: What happens if I miss my renewal deadline?
A: Renewal applications submitted after the expiration date will incur a late penalty fee. Applications will be accepted through December 31st following the renewal period. After that date, individuals must apply for reinstatement.
Reinstatement:
Q: What is the difference between Renewal and Reinstatement?
A: Renewal occurs before your license expires (by September 30th). Reinstatement is required if your license has already lapsed, if you missed the late renewal deadline (September 30th), or if your license was placed on "Inactive" status and you now wish to practice again.
Q: How do I apply for Reinstatement?
A: Reinstatement applications must be submitted through our online portal. You will select the "Reinstatement" option for your specific license type and pay the required reinstatement fee.
Q: My Guam nursing license has lapsed for more than three (3) years. Am I required to take a refresher course for reinstatement?
A:Yes. Pursuant to 25 GAR Chapter 6 §6412 (e), if a license has been lapsed for three years or more, the applicant must demonstrate continued competency to safely re-enter practice. To meet this requirement, the Board generally requires completion of an approved nursing refresher course. Before you enroll in a program, please contact the GBNE to confirm the course meets Guam’s specific regulatory standards.
Foreign Graduate
Q: I graduated from a nursing school outside of the United States. Can I apply for a Guam license?
A: Yes. However, before submitting your application, you must have your foreign education evaluated to ensure it meets U.S. educational standards.
Q: What is the required process for evaluating foreign transcripts?
A: The GBNE requires all foreign graduates to obtain a professional credentials evaluation. This must be done through TruMerit (formerly known as CGFNS International). They will review your transcripts, nursing license from your home country, and graduation details to determine if your education is equivalent to a U.S. nursing degree.
Q: Which specific report do I need from TruMerit?
A: Most applicants require the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report. This report must be sent directly from TruMerit to the GBNE. We cannot accept copies sent by the applicant.
Q: Do I need to take an English proficiency exam?
A: If your nursing education was not conducted in English, or if the primary language of your country of education is not English, you may be required to pass an English proficiency exam (such as the TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the TruMerit/CGFNS evaluation process.
Q: Can I submit my application while my TruMerit evaluation is still in progress?
A: You may start your online application at any time. However, your file will remain in "Pending" status and will not be reviewed by the Board until the official TruMerit evaluation report has been received and verified.
Q: I already have an evaluation from another company (like WES or ERES). Will the Board accept it?
A: No. Per GBNE regulations, we specifically require the evaluation to be completed by TruMerit/CGFNS to ensure consistency in verifying nursing-specific clinical and theory hours.
National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP):
Q: When is the NNAAP testing scheduled?
A: A multistate license allows practice in all NLC-participating states and territories, including Guam.Testing is generally held on the second (2nd) Friday of every other month. However, please note that dates are tentative and depend on the total number of qualified applicants. To confirm the final schedule for the upcoming month, please contact the HPLO office.
Q: When and how will I receive my results?
A: Once the examination is completed, please allow one (1) to three (3) months to receive your official results. You will be notified via the Message Center on your online portal once they are available.
Multistate License:
Q: What is a Multistate License?
A: A multistate license (also known as a Compact license) allows a nurse to practice in their home state and all other NLC-participating states and territories (including Guam) without having to obtain additional licenses.
Q: Is Guam a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
A: Yes. Guam is a partial member of the NLC. Nurses who hold an active multistate license from another compact state can practice on Guam without applying for a separate Guam license, provided their primary residence remains in a compact state.
Q: I have an active multistate RN license from another state (e.g., Texas). Do I need to endorse my license to practice in Guam?
A: Not necessarily. Because Guam is a member of the NLC, you may practice in Guam using your active multistate RN license without seeking endorsement, provided your Primary State of Residence (PSOR) remains in a compact-member state.
However, if you officially change your primary residence to Guam, you are required to apply for licensure by endorsement to transition your RN license to Guam.
Q: Does my multistate RN license also allow me to practice as an APRN in Guam?
A: No. The NLC only applies to RN and LPN licenses. Even if you hold a multistate RN license, you must submit an initial application for APRN authorization to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Guam.
Q: I have a Guam license but it says "Single State". How do I upgrade to Multistate?
A: At this time, Guam Single State Licensees are unable to change/upgrade their licensee to a Multistate. The GBNE will notify licensees once they are able to change/upgrade their license to a Multistate license.
Temporary Graduate License for Recent Graduates
Q: I am a recent LPN/RN graduate and cannot find a separate "Temporary Work Permit" application in the nursing portal. How do I apply?
A: There is no separate application form for the Temporary Work Permit within the portal. The request is included as part of the RN/LPN Initial Application by Examination.
Q: I already submitted my payment, clearances, etc. with my RN/LPN Initial Application by Examination. Is that sufficient?
A: No. The Board requires your official transcript or your Certificate of Nursing Education (CNE). Official transcripts and the CNE Form must be sent directly from your school to the GBNE. They can be mailed to our physical office in Hagatna or emailed to [email protected].
Q: How long is the Temporary Work Permit valid?
A: The Temporary Graduate Permit for recent graduates is strictly valid only for 6 months from the date of graduation.
Q: What happens if I do not receive my NCLEX results before it expires?
A: If you do not pass or receive your NCLEX results within this 6-month period, the Temporary Work Permit will not be re-issued under any circumstances. To practice, you must successfully pass the NCLEX and obtain full licensure.
Q: Can I request a temporary license and apply for the NCLEX at the same time?
A: Yes. You can apply for your Temporary License and the NCLEX using the same application. However, the requirements for issuing your documents differ.
- For a Temporary Work Permit: We only need one of the following to issue your permit:
Certificate of Nursing Education (CNE) OR
Official Transcript - For your Authorization to Test (ATT): We must receive both documents (CNE and Official Transcript) before we can release your ATT so you can schedule your NCLEX exam.