Getting your RN license involves the same core steps in every state — graduate from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX — but the fees, processing times, and additional requirements vary significantly. If you’re applying for a first license, endorsing into a new state, or evaluating whether the Nursing Licensure Compact changes your situation, the differences between states affect your timeline and your costs.
This guide summarizes the requirements that actually vary across states, including initial application fees, compact license eligibility, criminal background check requirements, and endorsement timelines.
At a glance:
- Every state requires NCLEX passage and graduation from an accredited program
- 40 states participate in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) — a compact license covers all of them
- Application fees for initial licensure range from roughly $40 to $300 depending on state
- California, Illinois, and Alaska do not participate in the NLC and require separate licenses
- Most states issue licenses within 2–6 weeks of NCLEX passage; some are faster with temporary permits
- Criminal history requirements vary — some states require fingerprinting; others use Nursys for background verification
How nursing licensure works in the US
Nursing licensure is regulated at the state level. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) sets the national exam standard (NCLEX), but each state board of nursing sets its own application requirements, fees, and processing procedures.
To become licensed as an RN in any state, you need to:
- Graduate from a nursing program approved by that state’s board of nursing
- Apply to the state board and pay the application fee
- Register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 NCLEX exam fee
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
- Receive your license — typically issued within 1–4 weeks of a passing result
Once licensed, you maintain your license through renewal (typically every 2 years) and continuing education requirements set by your state.
The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC): the most important variable
Whether your state participates in the NLC is the single most consequential variable in nursing licensure, especially for nurses who travel, relocate, or work across state lines.
Under the NLC, a nurse who holds a license in a compact state holds a multistate license — valid in all 40 compact states without additional applications or fees. This matters for travel nurses, remote telehealth nurses, and any nurse considering relocation.
To qualify for a multistate compact license, you must:
- Live (primary residence) in a compact state
- Hold a license in good standing with no discipline or encumbrances
- Pass a federal background check
- Graduate from an NCSBN-accredited program
If your primary state of residence is a compact state, you automatically receive a multistate license — you don’t need to apply separately.
Current NLC compact states (40 states as of 2026):
| State | NLC compact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | |
| Arizona | Yes | |
| Arkansas | Yes | |
| Colorado | Yes | |
| Delaware | Yes | |
| Florida | Yes | |
| Georgia | Yes | |
| Idaho | Yes | |
| Indiana | Yes | |
| Iowa | Yes | |
| Kansas | Yes | |
| Kentucky | Yes | |
| Louisiana | Yes | |
| Maine | Yes | |
| Maryland | Yes | |
| Mississippi | Yes | |
| Missouri | Yes | |
| Montana | Yes | |
| Nebraska | Yes | |
| New Hampshire | Yes | |
| New Jersey | Yes | |
| New Mexico | Yes | |
| North Carolina | Yes | |
| North Dakota | Yes | |
| Ohio | Yes | |
| Oklahoma | Yes | |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | |
| Rhode Island | Yes | |
| South Carolina | Yes | |
| South Dakota | Yes | |
| Tennessee | Yes | |
| Texas | Yes | |
| Utah | Yes | |
| Vermont | Yes | |
| Virginia | Yes | |
| Washington | Yes | |
| West Virginia | Yes | |
| Wisconsin | Yes | |
| Wyoming | Yes | |
| Hawaii | Yes | Added 2025 |
States outside the NLC (require separate license):
| State | NLC status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | No | |
| California | No | One of the largest nursing workforces in the US; requires separate CA BRN license |
| Connecticut | No | |
| Illinois | No | |
| Massachusetts | Pending | Enacted NLC legislation; implementation timeline pending |
| Michigan | Pending | Enacted NLC legislation; implementation timeline pending |
| Minnesota | Pending | Enacted NLC legislation; implementation timeline pending |
| New York | Pending | Enacted NLC legislation; implementation timeline pending |
| Nevada | No | |
| Oregon | No |
For states with pending NLC status, check nursecompact.com for current implementation timelines — these can change.
Initial RN license requirements by state: fees and key differences
The table below summarizes initial RN licensure requirements for selected states. Verify current fees and requirements directly with your state board before applying — fees change regularly.
| State | Initial fee (approx.) | Background check | Processing time | Temporary permit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $85 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Alaska | $275 | Fingerprints required | 3–6 weeks | No |
| Arizona | $150 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Arkansas | $75 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| California | $150 | Fingerprints required | 4–8 weeks | Yes (90-day interim permit) |
| Colorado | $43 | Criminal background check | 1–3 weeks | No |
| Connecticut | $165 | Criminal background check | 3–6 weeks | No |
| Delaware | $110 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Florida | $100 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Georgia | $40 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | Yes |
| Hawaii | $80 | Criminal background check | 3–6 weeks | No |
| Idaho | $90 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Illinois | $40 | Fingerprints required | 2–6 weeks | No |
| Indiana | $50 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Iowa | $99 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Kansas | $75 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Kentucky | $100 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Louisiana | $100 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Maine | $60 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Maryland | $100 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | Yes |
| Massachusetts | $175 | Criminal background check | 2–6 weeks | No |
| Michigan | $50 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Minnesota | $105 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | Yes |
| Mississippi | $100 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Missouri | $55 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Montana | $100 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Nebraska | $123 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Nevada | $110 | Fingerprints required | 3–6 weeks | No |
| New Hampshire | $120 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| New Jersey | $200 | Criminal background check | 3–6 weeks | No |
| New Mexico | $90 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| New York | $143 | Criminal background check | 2–6 weeks | No |
| North Carolina | $75 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | Yes |
| North Dakota | $100 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Ohio | $75 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Oklahoma | $85 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Oregon | $150 | Fingerprints required | 3–6 weeks | No |
| Pennsylvania | $35 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Rhode Island | $135 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| South Carolina | $110 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| South Dakota | $100 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Tennessee | $100 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Texas | $186 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | Yes |
| Utah | $58 | Criminal background check | 1–3 weeks | No |
| Vermont | $190 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Virginia | $170 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Washington | $110 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| West Virginia | $100 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Wisconsin | $82 | Fingerprints required | 2–4 weeks | No |
| Wyoming | $100 | Criminal background check | 2–4 weeks | No |
License by endorsement: moving to a new state
If you are a licensed RN moving to a new state — and you do not hold a compact multistate license that covers your destination — you need to apply for licensure by endorsement. This is not a new NCLEX. It is a transfer of your existing license credentials.
Standard endorsement process:
- Confirm your new state’s board of nursing requirements (fees, documentation, criminal background check requirements)
- Verify your existing license through Nursys (the national nurse license verification system used by most state boards)
- Submit the endorsement application and pay the state fee (typically $50–$200)
- Complete any additional state-specific requirements (fingerprints, English proficiency attestation for internationally educated nurses, CE documentation)
- Receive your new state license (typically 2–6 weeks after complete application)
Some states issue temporary practice permits while your full endorsement is processed — useful if you need to start work before full licensure is issued. California, Minnesota, North Carolina, and a few others offer this. Check your destination state’s board website to confirm.
If you hold a compact license and are relocating to a compact state, you do not need to apply for endorsement. You simply update your primary state of residence with NCSBN, and your compact license updates to reflect the new state. However, your multistate privileges apply only if you live in a compact state — if your new home state is outside the NLC, you must apply for endorsement.
For a detailed walkthrough of the endorsement process including Nursys verification, see our nursing license by endorsement guide.
Criminal history and nursing licensure
Every state runs a criminal background check as part of initial licensure and often for endorsement. Most use fingerprint-based checks through the FBI database; some rely on self-disclosed criminal history supplemented by state database searches.
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from nursing licensure — but it does trigger a board review. Factors the board considers include:
- The nature and severity of the offense
- How long ago it occurred
- Evidence of rehabilitation
- Relevance to patient safety
Felony convictions, drug-related offenses, and offenses involving violence or fraud receive the most scrutiny. Minor misdemeanors from years ago often proceed without issue, but you should disclose everything the application asks about — omitting criminal history when asked is itself grounds for denial or revocation.
If you have a criminal history and are uncertain about your eligibility, contact the board of nursing in your state before investing time and money in a nursing program. Some states offer advisory opinions in advance of application. For a deeper review of how criminal history affects licensure, see our guide on nursing background checks and licensing.
Continuing education requirements by state
Most states require continuing education (CE) for license renewal. The amount and type varies considerably.
| CE hours required (per renewal cycle) | States |
|---|---|
| No CE requirement | Colorado, Wyoming |
| 15–20 hours | Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Montana |
| 24–30 hours | Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas |
| 30+ hours | California (30 hours every 2 years), New York (3 hours infection control, 2 hours child abuse), New Jersey (30 hours) |
| Specialty-specific requirements | Many states require specific topics: infection control, substance abuse, domestic violence, cultural competency, or ethics |
CE requirements are separate from the NCLEX and apply only at renewal — typically every 2 years. Most states accept online CE from approved providers. Check your state board’s approved provider list before completing CE hours, as not all providers are accepted in all states.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work as a nurse in a state where I’m not licensed? No. You must hold an active, valid license in every state where you practice, unless you hold a compact multistate license that covers that state. Working without a license is illegal and grounds for permanent disqualification.
How long does it take to get an RN license after passing the NCLEX? Most candidates receive their license within 1–4 weeks of passing. Processing times vary by state — some states process quickly, others take longer. States that require fingerprint-based background checks add processing time. Check your state board’s published processing time before making employment plans.
What’s the difference between a compact license and license by endorsement? A compact (NLC) multistate license automatically covers all 40 compact states if you live in a compact state. License by endorsement is a separate application you submit to each new state you want to work in — you pay separate fees and wait for separate processing. Compact is faster and cheaper if you work or travel across multiple compact states.
Can I get an RN license in a state if I went to nursing school in a different state? Yes. You apply to the board of nursing in the state where you want to be licensed, not necessarily the state where you attended school. Your nursing program must be accredited and approved, but you are not required to license in your school’s state first.
What happens if my license lapses? A lapsed license means you cannot legally practice until it is reinstated. Reinstatement requirements vary by state and by how long the license has been lapsed. Some states require CE completion; others may require re-examination after an extended lapse. See our nursing license reinstatement guide for state-specific reinstatement requirements.
Do I need a separate license for each state I want to work in as a travel nurse? If you hold a compact multistate license and your travel assignments are in compact states, no. If you travel to non-compact states (California, Illinois, Alaska, Connecticut, Nevada, Oregon), you must apply for endorsement in each. Most travel nursing contracts build in time for this, and many agencies provide license support assistance.
Next steps by situation
You’re a new graduate applying for your first license: Apply to your state board as soon as your school submits your graduation verification. Register with Pearson VUE and schedule your NCLEX. Most new graduates receive their license within 2–4 weeks of passing.
You’re relocating to a new state: First check whether both your current and new states are in the NLC. If both are compact, your multistate license transfers — update your primary state of residence with NCSBN. If your new state is non-compact, apply for endorsement before your move date, because processing takes time.
You’re evaluating states for employment or relocation: Compact license eligibility, salary, and cost of living are the three most important variables. See our best states for nurses guide and nurse salary by state comparison for data on where nurses earn the most after adjusting for cost of living.
You’re a travel nurse managing multiple state licenses: The compact license should cover most of your compact-state assignments. For non-compact states, work with your agency — most provide license management support and may cover endorsement fees. Keep a spreadsheet of each license’s renewal date; letting a license lapse while on assignment creates a legal work stoppage.
For a full breakdown of the NLC compact states and how multistate licensing works in practice, see our nursing compact license guide.