Virginia RN Jurisprudence Exam —
Code: VA-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1.
A Virginia RN allows her license to lapse because she did not receive the Board's
renewal notice. She continues working for two weeks before discovering the
lapse. Which statement is most accurate?
A. She may continue practicing for 30 days because the Board failed to notify her.
B. She may practice until the renewal notice is received.
C. She is considered to be practicing illegally during the lapse.
D. She automatically receives a 90-day grace period.
Answer: She is considered to be practicing illegally during the lapse.
Rationale: Virginia regulations state that failure to receive the renewal notice
does not relieve the nurse of the responsibility to renew, and practicing after the
license has lapsed constitutes illegal practice.
,2.
An RN born in an even-numbered year asks when her Virginia nursing license
must be renewed. Which response is correct?
A. December 31 of every even-numbered year
B. The last day of her birth month in an even-numbered year
C. The anniversary of initial licensure
D. June 30 of every even-numbered year
Answer: The last day of her birth month in an even-numbered year.
Rationale: Virginia's renewal cycle is based on the licensee's birth year and birth
month. Nurses born in even-numbered years renew by the last day of their birth
month in even-numbered years.
3.
Which activity satisfies one of Virginia's continuing competency pathways for
renewal of an active RN license?
A. Reading one nursing article without documentation
B. Completing 30 contact hours of relevant courses from an approved provider
C. Attending one staff meeting each month
D. Completing annual hospital orientation only
Answer: Completing 30 contact hours of relevant courses from an approved
provider.
Rationale: Virginia permits 30 contact hours of nursing-relevant workshops,
seminars, conferences, or courses when the provider meets specified recognition
or approval requirements.
4.
An RN chooses the continuing competency pathway requiring 15 contact hours
plus active practice. What additional practice requirement applies?
,A. 240 hours
B. 400 hours
C. 640 hours
D. 1,000 hours
Answer: 640 hours.
Rationale: One Virginia renewal pathway consists of 15 contact hours of
relevant education combined with 640 hours of active nursing practice.
5.
For Virginia nursing continuing competency purposes, one contact hour is defined
as:
A. 30 minutes
B. 45 minutes
C. 50 minutes
D. 60 minutes
Answer: 50 minutes.
Rationale: Virginia's regulatory definition identifies a contact hour as 50
minutes of continuing education coursework or activity.
6.
A newly licensed Virginia RN is approaching the first renewal after initial licensure
by examination. Which statement about continuing competency is correct?
A. The RN must complete 30 contact hours before the first renewal.
B. The RN must complete 640 practice hours before the first renewal.
C. The RN is exempt from the continuing competency requirement for the first
renewal.
D. The RN must obtain specialty certification.
Answer: The RN is exempt from the continuing competency requirement for the
first renewal.
, Rationale: Virginia provides an exemption from the continued competency
requirement for the first renewal following initial licensure by examination or
endorsement.
7.
An RN maintains records documenting compliance with continuing competency
requirements. How long must the original documentation generally be retained
after renewal?
A. Six months
B. One year
C. Two years
D. Five years
Answer: Two years.
Rationale: Licensees must maintain original documentation of continuing
competency completion for two years following renewal and provide it to the
Board when requested.
8.
The Virginia Board requests an RN's continuing competency documentation.
Within what period must the nurse provide the requested documentation?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: 30 days.
Rationale: Virginia regulation requires requested proof of continuing
competency compliance to be provided within 30 days of the Board's request.
9.