Objective To construct an evaluation index system for graduate nursing students′ research ethics literacy (REL) and to provide a tool for objective evaluation of graduate nursing students′ REL. Methods Taking the quality iceberg model as the theoretical basis, the first draft of the evaluation index system of graduate nursing students′ REL was formulated based on the literature review and group discussion, and the Delphi method and hierarchical analysis method were applied to determine the final evaluation index system and weights of the indexes. Results The response rates of the experts in the 2 rounds of Delphi surveys were 100% and 85.0%, the coefficients of expert authority were 0.900 and 0.921, and the coefficients of Kendall′s harmony were 0.134 and 0.189 (both P<0.05), respectively. The final evaluation index system of graduate nursing students′ REL included two primary indicators (overt REL, covert REL), five secondary indicators (research ethics knowledge, research ethics skills, research ethics competence, research ethics attitudes, research ethics values), and 31 tertiary indicators. Conclusion The evaluation index system of REL of graduate nursing students was constructed scientifically and reasonably, and can be used as a tool to assess REL of graduate nursing students.