Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (K-WLEIS). Methods: Data were collected from 360 nursing students using a self reported questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to test construct validity. Convergence validity was identified by correlation with communication competency. Item convergent and discriminant validity were also analyzed. Reliability was evaluated internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that the eigen values ranged from 1.34 to 5.86 and 73.2% of the total explained variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate model fit indices (c2/df 1.89, RMSEA .07, GFI .89, CFI .95, and TLI .93) and standardized factor loadings (.48 to .87). The average extracted variances (.71 to .79) and composite reliability (.80 to .87) validated convergence and discriminant validity of the items. Test-retest reliability of intra-class correlation coefficient was .90 and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was .88. Conclusion: The K-WLEIS is an appropriate scale for measuring the emotional intelligence of Korean nursing students. Therefore, it is expected that the K-WLEIS will be used for nursing education programs to improve nursing students’ emotional intelligence.