Get licensed. Registered nurses must have a nursing license. Take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) once you have graduated from your accredited program and thus have completed the appropriate education requirements.This test is the nationally recognized licensing exam for registered nurses. Associate's degree in nursing (ADN) . 2  This is the most common way to obtain a registered nursing license and involves a two-year program at a community or junior college. 3  Many students transition to BSN programs after having completed an ADN and holding an entry-level nursing position.