diff --git a/runtime/src/nonce_utils.rs b/runtime/src/nonce_utils.rs
index 792d9eaa70..8f96c3dc5c 100644
--- a/runtime/src/nonce_utils.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/nonce_utils.rs
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ mod tests {
             assert_eq!(state, NonceState::Uninitialized);
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
             nonce_account
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &Rent::default(), &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &Rent::default(), &signers)
                 .unwrap();
             assert!(verify_nonce(&nonce_account.account, &recent_blockhashes[0]));
         });
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ mod tests {
             assert_eq!(state, NonceState::Uninitialized);
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
             nonce_account
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &Rent::default(), &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &Rent::default(), &signers)
                 .unwrap();
             assert!(!verify_nonce(
                 &nonce_account.account,
diff --git a/sdk/src/nonce_instruction.rs b/sdk/src/nonce_instruction.rs
index d742f0490b..eadf777a76 100644
--- a/sdk/src/nonce_instruction.rs
+++ b/sdk/src/nonce_instruction.rs
@@ -56,6 +56,15 @@ pub enum NonceInstruction {
     /// The `u64` parameter is the lamports to withdraw, which must leave the
     /// account balance above the rent exempt reserve or at zero.
     Withdraw(u64),
+
+    /// `Initialize` drives state of Uninitalized NonceAccount to Initialized,
+    /// setting the nonce value.
+    ///
+    /// Expects 3 Accounts:
+    ///     0 - A NonceAccount in the Uninitialized state
+    ///     1 - RecentBlockHashes sysvar
+    ///     2 - Rent sysvar
+    Initialize,
 }
 
 pub fn create_nonce_account(
@@ -71,10 +80,22 @@ pub fn create_nonce_account(
             NonceState::size() as u64,
             &id(),
         ),
-        nonce(nonce_pubkey),
+        initialize(nonce_pubkey),
     ]
 }
 
+pub fn initialize(nonce_pubkey: &Pubkey) -> Instruction {
+    Instruction::new(
+        id(),
+        &NonceInstruction::Initialize,
+        vec![
+            AccountMeta::new(*nonce_pubkey, true),
+            AccountMeta::new_readonly(recent_blockhashes::id(), false),
+            AccountMeta::new_readonly(rent::id(), false),
+        ],
+    )
+}
+
 pub fn nonce(nonce_pubkey: &Pubkey) -> Instruction {
     Instruction::new(
         id(),
@@ -113,7 +134,6 @@ pub fn process_instruction(
     match limited_deserialize(data)? {
         NonceInstruction::Nonce => me.nonce(
             &RecentBlockhashes::from_keyed_account(next_keyed_account(keyed_accounts)?)?,
-            &Rent::from_keyed_account(next_keyed_account(keyed_accounts)?)?,
             &signers,
         ),
         NonceInstruction::Withdraw(lamports) => {
@@ -126,13 +146,22 @@ pub fn process_instruction(
                 &signers,
             )
         }
+        NonceInstruction::Initialize => me.initialize(
+            &RecentBlockhashes::from_keyed_account(next_keyed_account(keyed_accounts)?)?,
+            &Rent::from_keyed_account(next_keyed_account(keyed_accounts)?)?,
+            &signers,
+        ),
     }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
-    use crate::{account::Account, hash::Hash, nonce_state, system_program, sysvar};
+    use crate::{
+        account::Account,
+        hash::{hash, Hash},
+        nonce_state, system_program, sysvar,
+    };
     use bincode::serialize;
 
     fn process_instruction(instruction: &Instruction) -> Result<(), InstructionError> {
@@ -232,50 +261,43 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn test_process_nonce_ix_bad_rent_state_fail() {
-        assert_eq!(
-            super::process_instruction(
-                &Pubkey::default(),
-                &mut [
-                    KeyedAccount::new(&Pubkey::default(), true, &mut Account::default(),),
-                    KeyedAccount::new(
-                        &sysvar::recent_blockhashes::id(),
-                        false,
-                        &mut sysvar::recent_blockhashes::create_account(1),
-                    ),
-                    KeyedAccount::new(&sysvar::rent::id(), false, &mut Account::default(),),
-                ],
-                &serialize(&NonceInstruction::Nonce).unwrap(),
-            ),
-            Err(InstructionError::InvalidArgument),
-        );
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn test_process_nonce_ix_ok() {
+        let mut nonce_acc = nonce_state::create_account(1_000_000);
+        super::process_instruction(
+            &Pubkey::default(),
+            &mut [
+                KeyedAccount::new(&Pubkey::default(), true, &mut nonce_acc),
+                KeyedAccount::new(
+                    &sysvar::recent_blockhashes::id(),
+                    false,
+                    &mut sysvar::recent_blockhashes::create_account_with_data(
+                        1,
+                        vec![(0u64, &Hash::default()); 32].into_iter(),
+                    ),
+                ),
+                KeyedAccount::new(
+                    &sysvar::rent::id(),
+                    false,
+                    &mut sysvar::rent::create_account(1, &Rent::default()),
+                ),
+            ],
+            &serialize(&NonceInstruction::Initialize).unwrap(),
+        )
+        .unwrap();
         assert_eq!(
             super::process_instruction(
                 &Pubkey::default(),
                 &mut [
-                    KeyedAccount::new(
-                        &Pubkey::default(),
-                        true,
-                        &mut nonce_state::create_account(1_000_000),
-                    ),
+                    KeyedAccount::new(&Pubkey::default(), true, &mut nonce_acc,),
                     KeyedAccount::new(
                         &sysvar::recent_blockhashes::id(),
                         false,
                         &mut sysvar::recent_blockhashes::create_account_with_data(
                             1,
-                            vec![(0u64, &Hash::default()); 32].into_iter(),
+                            vec![(0u64, &hash(&serialize(&0).unwrap())); 32].into_iter(),
                         ),
                     ),
-                    KeyedAccount::new(
-                        &sysvar::rent::id(),
-                        false,
-                        &mut sysvar::rent::create_account(1, &Rent::default()),
-                    ),
                 ],
                 &serialize(&NonceInstruction::Nonce).unwrap(),
             ),
@@ -339,27 +361,6 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn test_process_withdraw_ix_bad_rent_state_fail() {
-        assert_eq!(
-            super::process_instruction(
-                &Pubkey::default(),
-                &mut [
-                    KeyedAccount::new(&Pubkey::default(), true, &mut Account::default(),),
-                    KeyedAccount::new(&Pubkey::default(), false, &mut Account::default(),),
-                    KeyedAccount::new(
-                        &sysvar::recent_blockhashes::id(),
-                        false,
-                        &mut Account::default(),
-                    ),
-                    KeyedAccount::new(&sysvar::rent::id(), false, &mut Account::default(),),
-                ],
-                &serialize(&NonceInstruction::Withdraw(42)).unwrap(),
-            ),
-            Err(InstructionError::InvalidArgument),
-        );
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn test_process_withdraw_ix_ok() {
         assert_eq!(
diff --git a/sdk/src/nonce_state.rs b/sdk/src/nonce_state.rs
index ccc229827f..2d4180842f 100644
--- a/sdk/src/nonce_state.rs
+++ b/sdk/src/nonce_state.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ pub trait NonceAccount {
     fn nonce(
         &mut self,
         recent_blockhashes: &RecentBlockhashes,
-        rent: &Rent,
         signers: &HashSet<Pubkey>,
     ) -> Result<(), InstructionError>;
     fn withdraw(
@@ -55,13 +54,18 @@ pub trait NonceAccount {
         rent: &Rent,
         signers: &HashSet<Pubkey>,
     ) -> Result<(), InstructionError>;
+    fn initialize(
+        &mut self,
+        recent_blockhashes: &RecentBlockhashes,
+        rent: &Rent,
+        signers: &HashSet<Pubkey>,
+    ) -> Result<(), InstructionError>;
 }
 
 impl<'a> NonceAccount for KeyedAccount<'a> {
     fn nonce(
         &mut self,
         recent_blockhashes: &RecentBlockhashes,
-        rent: &Rent,
         signers: &HashSet<Pubkey>,
     ) -> Result<(), InstructionError> {
         if recent_blockhashes.is_empty() {
@@ -79,13 +83,7 @@ impl<'a> NonceAccount for KeyedAccount<'a> {
                 }
                 meta
             }
-            NonceState::Uninitialized => {
-                let min_balance = rent.minimum_balance(self.account.data.len());
-                if self.account.lamports < min_balance {
-                    return Err(InstructionError::InsufficientFunds);
-                }
-                Meta::new()
-            }
+            _ => return Err(NonceError::BadAccountState.into()),
         };
 
         self.set_state(&NonceState::Initialized(meta, recent_blockhashes[0]))
@@ -129,6 +127,34 @@ impl<'a> NonceAccount for KeyedAccount<'a> {
 
         Ok(())
     }
+
+    fn initialize(
+        &mut self,
+        recent_blockhashes: &RecentBlockhashes,
+        rent: &Rent,
+        signers: &HashSet<Pubkey>,
+    ) -> Result<(), InstructionError> {
+        if recent_blockhashes.is_empty() {
+            return Err(NonceError::NoRecentBlockhashes.into());
+        }
+
+        if !signers.contains(self.unsigned_key()) {
+            return Err(InstructionError::MissingRequiredSignature);
+        }
+
+        let meta = match self.state()? {
+            NonceState::Uninitialized => {
+                let min_balance = rent.minimum_balance(self.account.data.len());
+                if self.account.lamports < min_balance {
+                    return Err(InstructionError::InsufficientFunds);
+                }
+                Meta::new()
+            }
+            _ => return Err(NonceError::BadAccountState.into()),
+        };
+
+        self.set_state(&NonceState::Initialized(meta, recent_blockhashes[0]))
+    }
 }
 
 pub fn create_account(lamports: u64) -> Account {
@@ -189,24 +215,20 @@ mod test {
             assert_eq!(state, NonceState::Uninitialized);
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(95);
             keyed_account
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
                 .unwrap();
             let state: NonceState = keyed_account.state().unwrap();
             let stored = recent_blockhashes[0];
             // First nonce instruction drives state from Uninitialized to Initialized
             assert_eq!(state, NonceState::Initialized(meta, stored));
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(63);
-            keyed_account
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
-                .unwrap();
+            keyed_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &signers).unwrap();
             let state: NonceState = keyed_account.state().unwrap();
             let stored = recent_blockhashes[0];
             // Second nonce instruction consumes and replaces stored nonce
             assert_eq!(state, NonceState::Initialized(meta, stored));
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(31);
-            keyed_account
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
-                .unwrap();
+            keyed_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &signers).unwrap();
             let state: NonceState = keyed_account.state().unwrap();
             let stored = recent_blockhashes[0];
             // Third nonce instruction for fun and profit
@@ -237,21 +259,6 @@ mod test {
         })
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn nonce_inx_uninitialized_account_not_signer_fail() {
-        let rent = Rent {
-            lamports_per_byte_year: 42,
-            ..Rent::default()
-        };
-        let min_lamports = rent.minimum_balance(NonceState::size());
-        with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports + 42, false, |nonce_account| {
-            let signers = HashSet::new();
-            let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
-            let result = nonce_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
-            assert_eq!(result, Err(InstructionError::MissingRequiredSignature),);
-        })
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn nonce_inx_initialized_account_not_signer_fail() {
         let rent = Rent {
@@ -266,7 +273,7 @@ mod test {
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(31);
             let stored = recent_blockhashes[0];
             nonce_account
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
                 .unwrap();
             let pubkey = nonce_account.account.owner.clone();
             let mut nonce_account = KeyedAccount::new(&pubkey, false, nonce_account.account);
@@ -274,7 +281,7 @@ mod test {
             assert_eq!(state, NonceState::Initialized(meta, stored));
             let signers = HashSet::new();
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
-            let result = nonce_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
+            let result = nonce_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &signers);
             assert_eq!(result, Err(InstructionError::MissingRequiredSignature),);
         })
     }
@@ -289,8 +296,12 @@ mod test {
         with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports + 42, true, |keyed_account| {
             let mut signers = HashSet::new();
             signers.insert(keyed_account.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
+            let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
+            keyed_account
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .unwrap();
             let recent_blockhashes = RecentBlockhashes::from_iter(vec![].into_iter());
-            let result = keyed_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
+            let result = keyed_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &signers);
             assert_eq!(result, Err(NonceError::NoRecentBlockhashes.into()));
         })
     }
@@ -307,26 +318,26 @@ mod test {
             signers.insert(keyed_account.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(63);
             keyed_account
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
                 .unwrap();
-            let result = keyed_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
+            let result = keyed_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &signers);
             assert_eq!(result, Err(NonceError::NotExpired.into()));
         })
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn nonce_inx_uninitialized_acc_insuff_funds_fail() {
+    fn nonce_inx_uninitialized_account_fail() {
         let rent = Rent {
             lamports_per_byte_year: 42,
             ..Rent::default()
         };
         let min_lamports = rent.minimum_balance(NonceState::size());
-        with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports - 42, true, |keyed_account| {
+        with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports + 42, true, |keyed_account| {
             let mut signers = HashSet::new();
             signers.insert(keyed_account.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(63);
-            let result = keyed_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
-            assert_eq!(result, Err(InstructionError::InsufficientFunds));
+            let result = keyed_account.nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &signers);
+            assert_eq!(result, Err(NonceError::BadAccountState.into()));
         })
     }
 
@@ -480,7 +491,7 @@ mod test {
             signers.insert(nonce_keyed.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(31);
             nonce_keyed
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
                 .unwrap();
             let state: NonceState = nonce_keyed.state().unwrap();
             let stored = recent_blockhashes[0];
@@ -536,7 +547,7 @@ mod test {
             signers.insert(nonce_keyed.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
             nonce_keyed
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
                 .unwrap();
             with_test_keyed_account(42, false, |mut to_keyed| {
                 let mut signers = HashSet::new();
@@ -566,7 +577,7 @@ mod test {
             signers.insert(nonce_keyed.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(95);
             nonce_keyed
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
                 .unwrap();
             with_test_keyed_account(42, false, |mut to_keyed| {
                 let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(63);
@@ -597,7 +608,7 @@ mod test {
             signers.insert(nonce_keyed.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
             let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(95);
             nonce_keyed
-                .nonce(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
                 .unwrap();
             with_test_keyed_account(42, false, |mut to_keyed| {
                 let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(63);
@@ -615,4 +626,92 @@ mod test {
             })
         })
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn initialize_inx_ok() {
+        let rent = Rent {
+            lamports_per_byte_year: 42,
+            ..Rent::default()
+        };
+        let min_lamports = rent.minimum_balance(NonceState::size());
+        with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports + 42, true, |keyed_account| {
+            let state: NonceState = keyed_account.state().unwrap();
+            assert_eq!(state, NonceState::Uninitialized);
+            let mut signers = HashSet::new();
+            signers.insert(keyed_account.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
+            let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
+            let stored = recent_blockhashes[0];
+            let result = keyed_account.initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
+            assert_eq!(result, Ok(()));
+            let state: NonceState = keyed_account.state().unwrap();
+            assert_eq!(state, NonceState::Initialized(Meta::new(), stored));
+        })
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn initialize_inx_empty_recent_blockhashes_fail() {
+        let rent = Rent {
+            lamports_per_byte_year: 42,
+            ..Rent::default()
+        };
+        let min_lamports = rent.minimum_balance(NonceState::size());
+        with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports + 42, true, |keyed_account| {
+            let mut signers = HashSet::new();
+            signers.insert(keyed_account.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
+            let recent_blockhashes = RecentBlockhashes::from_iter(vec![].into_iter());
+            let result = keyed_account.initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
+            assert_eq!(result, Err(NonceError::NoRecentBlockhashes.into()));
+        })
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn initialize_inx_not_signer_fail() {
+        let rent = Rent {
+            lamports_per_byte_year: 42,
+            ..Rent::default()
+        };
+        let min_lamports = rent.minimum_balance(NonceState::size());
+        with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports + 42, false, |keyed_account| {
+            let signers = HashSet::new();
+            let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
+            let result = keyed_account.initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
+            assert_eq!(result, Err(InstructionError::MissingRequiredSignature));
+        })
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn initialize_inx_initialized_account_fail() {
+        let rent = Rent {
+            lamports_per_byte_year: 42,
+            ..Rent::default()
+        };
+        let min_lamports = rent.minimum_balance(NonceState::size());
+        with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports + 42, true, |keyed_account| {
+            let mut signers = HashSet::new();
+            signers.insert(keyed_account.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
+            let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(31);
+            keyed_account
+                .initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers)
+                .unwrap();
+            let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(0);
+            let result = keyed_account.initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
+            assert_eq!(result, Err(NonceError::BadAccountState.into()));
+        })
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn initialize_inx_uninitialized_acc_insuff_funds_fail() {
+        let rent = Rent {
+            lamports_per_byte_year: 42,
+            ..Rent::default()
+        };
+        let min_lamports = rent.minimum_balance(NonceState::size());
+        with_test_keyed_account(min_lamports - 42, true, |keyed_account| {
+            let mut signers = HashSet::new();
+            signers.insert(keyed_account.signer_key().unwrap().clone());
+            let recent_blockhashes = create_test_recent_blockhashes(63);
+            let result = keyed_account.initialize(&recent_blockhashes, &rent, &signers);
+            assert_eq!(result, Err(InstructionError::InsufficientFunds));
+        })
+    }
 }