Registered Nurse Requirements By State

Every state runs its own RN licensing process, and the details differ. NCLEX-RN scores, application fees, background checks, fingerprinting, continuing education, and renewal cycles all vary by board. Whether you are applying for the first time, renewing, or transferring a license across state lines, check your state board for exact fees, processing times, and CE requirements before you start.

Forty-one states plus Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which lets you hold one multistate license instead of a separate license for every state.

The Nurse Licensure Compact

The compact lets you practice across state lines on a single license. If you live in a participating state, you can apply for a multistate license that covers your home state and every other compact state. That flexibility matters most if you live near a border, travel for work, or take per diem jobs. A nurse living where Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana meet can work in all three on one license. If your home state is not in the compact, you need a separate license for each state where you practice.

Forty-one states and two U.S. territories (Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) are active or scheduled in the NLC. Use the state listings below to check your board's specific requirements.

RN License Requirements by State

Alabama

Alabama is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Alabama Board of Nursing issues single and multistate licenses under the NLC. Nurses apply for licensure by examination or endorsement online.

Every application requires your Social Security number, identifying information, and an official transcript. Applicants answer questions about citizenship, criminal history, substance use, and disciplinary actions.

Licensure by examination requires graduating from an approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN. Licensure by endorsement requires verification of your current license, documentation of 24 continuing education (CE) hours in the past 24 months, and fingerprinting.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $125 (Single state), $225 (Multistate)
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $125 (Single state), $225 (Multistate)
• Application Processing Time: Not Specified

RN License Renewal

Renew a single-state or multistate license online. Renewal opens September 1 and closes December 31. You need 24 CE hours, answers to regulatory questions about legal or disciplinary actions, and a nonrefundable fee.

• Renewal Fee: $103 (Single State), $203 (Multistate)
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Alaska

Alaska is not a compact state.

RN License Application

The Alaska Board of Nursing regulates licensure by examination and endorsement. You can practice on a temporary permit or a permanent license. Temporary permits last six months, are nonrenewable, and require that you have not failed the NCLEX-RN.

Initial applications take four to six weeks, and missing documents can add another 11 weeks. All applicants complete an application, pay the fees, pass an English proficiency test if they are foreign graduates, and submit a fingerprint-based background check and identifying information.

Exam applications include official transcripts, verification of graduation, professional fitness questions, and a notarized signature. Endorsement applications include verification of licensure and employment.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $100
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $100
• Application Processing Time: 4-6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renewal ends November 30 of even-numbered years. Miss the date and you go through reinstatement. Renewal requires 30 CE hours, 320 hours of employment, or 30 participatory hours in uncompensated professional activities. Licenses are subject to random CE audits.

• Renewal Fee: $200
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Arizona

Arizona is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Arizona State Board of Nursing requires a degree from an accredited or approved program plus an application, fees, passing NCLEX scores, and fingerprints.

For a multistate license, you must hold a current nursing license, have no felony convictions or nursing-related misdemeanors, and not be enrolled in an alternative program for substance use disorder.

Endorsement applicants must have graduated from an accredited program, hold an active unencumbered license, and not be in an alternative substance use program. You also submit fingerprints for a background check and a valid Social Security number.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $300
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $150
• Application Processing Time: 30 days

RN License Renewal

To renew, you must have graduated from your initial or advanced practice program, practiced at least 960 hours, or completed an approved refresher course in the last five years.

Arizona renews every four years on or before April 1. You can renew from six months before to 30 days after the due date. After 30 days, you pay a late fee.

• Renewal Fee: $160
• Renewal Period: 4 years

Arkansas

Arkansas is a compact state.

RN License Application

Applications to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing are submitted online. The board issues temporary permits to graduates, allowing practice between graduation and passing NCLEX results. Nurses transferring by endorsement can also apply for a temporary permit. All applicants submit a background check, a declaration of primary state of residence, verifying documentation, and a valid Social Security number.

Exam applications can be submitted about 60 days before graduation and stay valid for one year. They include an affidavit of graduation from an accredited program. Endorsement applications include verification of a current license and employment.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: Not specified
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $125
• Application Processing Time: 2 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew before the expiration date, which falls every two years on the last day of your birth month. Include a declaration of primary state of residence with verifying documentation and proof of CE. You need 15 practice-focused CE hours, certification or recertification by a national body, or completion of a nursing course.

• Renewal Fee: $100
• Renewal Period: 4 years

California

California is not a compact state.

RN License Application

The California Board of Registered Nursing uses the BreEZe system for exam and endorsement applications. All documents go through BreEZe: official transcripts from an accredited program, passing NCLEX-RN scores, fingerprints for a background check, and documentation of any disciplinary action.

If you have a disciplinary history, you may also need letters of recommendation or support, a letter of explanation, and documentation of any rehabilitation. Endorsement requires verification of an active license in another state.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $300-$350
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $350
• Application Processing Time: 10-12 weeks

RN License Renewal

Your first California license runs for two birthdays, which may not equal two years, and expires on the last day of your birth month. After that it renews every two years through BreEZe. Renewal requires 30 contact hours and documentation of any disciplinary actions for a crime.

• Renewal Fee: $190
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Colorado

Colorado is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Colorado Board of Nursing, under the Department of Regulatory Agencies, handles exam and endorsement applications online. Documents include a fingerprint-based background check, payment, and nursing education records. You declare your primary state of residence, answer criminal history questions, and complete a Healthcare Professions Profile.

Endorsement applicants provide verification of all current and past licenses in other states. All applications expire one year after submission.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $88
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $44
• Application Processing Time: Not Specified

RN License Renewal

Licenses expire September 30 every two years, depending on the issue date: a license first issued in an even year renews September 30 in even years. The portal opens six weeks before expiration. Renew online and pay the fee. Colorado has no practice or CE requirements for renewal.

• Renewal Fee: $108
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Connecticut

Connecticut is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing regulates licenses. For licensure by examination, you must graduate from an accredited program that meets Connecticut regulations, pass the NCLEX-RN, complete an application, and send official transcripts.

Endorsement applicants who hold a current valid license in another state qualify for a 120-day nonrenewable temporary permit. The application must include verification of the out-of-state license and all other current or expired licenses.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $180
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $180
• Application Processing Time: 4 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew online; instructions arrive by mail about 60 days before expiration. Licenses renew every year. Every six years, you complete two CE hours: one on screening for conditions like depression, grief, suicide risk, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and one on suicide prevention.

• Renewal Fee: $110
• Renewal Period: 1 year

Delaware

Delaware is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Delaware Board of Nursing, under the Division of Professional Regulation, takes exam and endorsement applications through DELPROS. Applications expire six months after they open. You submit passing NCLEX-RN scores, a background check, a copy of your driver's license, official transcripts, and a nursing school reference form sent directly from the school.

Endorsement applicants must hold a current active license in another state and have never held a Delaware license of the same level. You must meet practice requirements: recent graduation, 1,000 practice hours in five years, 400 practice hours in two years, or a refresher course. If you qualify on practice hours rather than recent graduation or a refresher, submit 30 CE hours from the past two years. Multistate license holders have 60 days to apply for a new license by endorsement in their new primary state.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $181
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $181
• Application Processing Time: 1-2 weeks

RN License Renewal

You receive an email renewal notice months before expiration explaining how to access DELPROS. Licenses expire in February, May, or September of odd years, depending on when they were issued. Log in, answer the questions, and pay by credit card. Workforce data is gathered through your Nursys account.

Renewal requires 1,000 practice hours in five years or 400 in two years, plus CE hours. The CE total for the first renewal depends on whether you were initially licensed by examination or endorsement.

• Renewal Fee: Not specified
• Renewal Period: 2 years

District of Columbia

The District of Columbia is not a compact jurisdiction.

RN License Application

The District of Columbia Board of Nursing regulates exam and endorsement applications. Exam applicants must complete an approved or accredited program. Applications close if you do not take or pass the NCLEX-RN within 90 days of submitting, and you then open a new one.

Exam and endorsement applications require a photo ID (a 2x2 photo of head and neck) and Social Security number, plus the application, background check documents, and fees.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $237
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $280
• Application Processing Time: 30 days

RN License Renewal

The renewal window runs April 18 through June 30. Renew online using a recommended browser, not a phone. You provide name change documents, screening questions, COVID-19 information, and CE hours, including at least two COVID-19 vaccine CE hours.

• Renewal Fee: $195
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Florida

Florida is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Florida Board of Nursing regulates licenses. All applicants submit electronic fingerprints for a background check. Graduates of programs not taught in English must pass an English competency test.

Licensure by examination requires graduating from an approved accredited program and passing the NCLEX-RN; the license issues within 10 days of a passing score. Endorsement requires a valid license to practice in another state.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $110
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $110
• Application Processing Time: 27-29 business days

RN License Renewal

Renewal requires 27 CE hours, including courses in medical error, Florida laws, human trafficking, and domestic violence, reported through CE Broker. Complete the application and pay the fees. Renewal is every two years.

• Renewal Fee: $75
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Georgia

Georgia is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Georgia Board of Nursing regulates licenses. Every application includes a fingerprint-based background check, official transcripts, and documentation of any arrests or disciplinary actions.

Exam applicants register with Pearson VUE the same day they apply. Endorsement requires an active unencumbered license and current original license verification. You also prove competency through recent graduation, 500 hours of practice in the last four years, or a board-approved reentry program.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $40
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $75
• Application Processing Time: Processed in the order received

RN License Renewal

Renew online. Licenses expire every two years on January 31. Renewal requires 30 CE hours and 500 practice hours at a healthcare facility within the past two years.

• Renewal Fee: $65
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Hawaii

Hawaii is not a compact state.

RN License Application

The Hawaii Board of Nursing sits under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Exam applicants submit a copy of a valid Social Security card, a criminal record check and electronic fingerprinting, and official transcripts from an accredited program. You also submit the same government-issued ID used for the NCLEX. Endorsement requires verification of an active license.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $40
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $186-$254
• Application Processing Time: 15-20 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years by June 30 in odd-numbered years; renewals open in mid-April. Complete a criminal history check and submit the required CE hours. Nurses are randomly audited to confirm CE.

• Renewal Fee: $196
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Idaho

Idaho is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Idaho Board of Nursing handles applications and renewals online. You get a multistate license when Idaho is your primary state of residence. If your home state is not an NLC member and you need an Idaho license, you get a single-state license.

Licensure by examination requires passing the NCLEX-RN or State Board Test Pool Examination. Endorsement requires the fee, a fingerprint-based background check, a valid license, and employment verification.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $98.25
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $98.25
• Application Processing Time: 5-10 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew in odd-numbered years between May 1 and August 31 through the Nurse Portal. The license goes inactive if not renewed by August 31. Complete two learning activities from a list, including 100 hours of practice, 15 CE hours, contributing to a published nursing article, or teaching or developing a nursing course.

• Renewal Fee: $70
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Illinois

Illinois is not a compact state.

RN License Application

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation manages nursing licenses. Exam applicants use Continental Testing and submit date and place of birth, Social Security number, and fingerprints. You may also report criminal history, felony convictions, health conditions, and any prior license denial.

Endorsement applicants may qualify for a temporary permit while the permanent license is pending. Applications include photocopies of all active licenses, fingerprints, and verification of education from an accredited program.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $98
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $50
• Application Processing Time: 2-4 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renewal asks about CE compliance and child support, and lets you update your address or name. Illinois requires 20 CE hours every two years, with mandatory courses in Alzheimer's disease, implicit bias, and sexual harassment. You can renew about three months before expiration.

• Renewal Fee: $80
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Indiana

Indiana is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency regulates licenses. All applications are online and include a completed background check, fingerprints, name change documentation if applicable, fees, and proof of graduating from an accredited or approved program.

Exam applications include a passing NCLEX-RN score and high school education details. Endorsement applicants must hold an active license in at least one U.S. state or territory and submit official license verification.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $50
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $50
• Application Processing Time: 30-60 days

RN License Renewal

Licenses expire October 31 of odd-numbered years regardless of issue date. Indiana has no CE requirements. A license expired up to three years can still be renewed online with a late fee, but you need at least one active license from another state or territory; otherwise you appear before the board for reinstatement.

• Renewal Fee: $50
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Iowa

Iowa is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing manages applications. All applicants submit an application with fees, official transcripts, and a passed background check and fingerprints. Exam applicants submit passing NCLEX-RN scores; endorsement applicants verify their original license.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $143
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $169
• Application Processing Time: Up to 8 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every three years on the 15th of your birth month. You can renew up to 60 days before expiration. State law asks you to renew 30 days before the deadline, though there is no penalty for missing it. Renewal requires 36 CE hours.

• Renewal Fee: $99
• Renewal Period: 3 years

Kansas

Kansas is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Kansas State Board of Nursing requires a set of fingerprints for a background check and official transcripts from an accredited or approved program. Multistate applicants must meet 11 licensure requirements. Exam applicants submit registration and a passing NCLEX score; endorsement applicants also verify the original license.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $100
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $125
• Application Processing Time: 7-10 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years on the last day of your birth month, in odd or even years depending on when your first license was issued. The window opens 90 days before expiration. You need 30 CE hours, submitted if audited, and you report any legal history.

• Renewal Fee: $85
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Kentucky

Kentucky is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Kentucky Board of Nursing regulates applications and renewals. Exam and endorsement applicants submit an online application and fees, pass the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination with at least 80%, and complete state and federal background checks.

Exam applicants verify completion of an accredited program. The initial application is good for one year, and Kentucky offers provisional licenses for six months or until the nurse fails the NCLEX-RN twice. Endorsement is available if you were originally licensed in the U.S. and can verify an active license in another state.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $125
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $165
• Application Processing Time: 1-2 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew online every year by midnight on October 31 or stop practicing. Pay the fees, answer questions about disciplinary action or criminal activity, and complete one of eight CE activities: 14 CE hours, an evaluation plus seven CE hours, national certification, college nursing courses, a preceptorship, publication of a nursing article, presentation of a nursing CE course, or a nursing research project.

• Renewal Fee: $65
• Renewal Period: 1 year

Louisiana

Louisiana is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Louisiana State Board of Nursing sets requirements for exam and endorsement. All applicants provide a current government-issued photo ID, declare Louisiana as their primary state of residence, and document a degree from an accredited program.

Exam applicants answer compliance questions, submit verification of out-of-state testing, and pay the fees. Endorsement requires verification of a current unencumbered RN license, a practice history within the past four years, and no current or pending civil, criminal, or disciplinary actions.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $100
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $100
• Application Processing Time: 4-6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years between October 1 and December 31. Licenses expire at midnight on January 31 if not renewed. You complete at least 30 board-approved CE hours or 900 practice hours during the two-year period.

• Renewal Fee: $100
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Maine

Maine is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Maine State Board of Nursing regulates exam and endorsement. All applicants submit an official transcript, a background check, verification of a current professional license when applicable (such as another professional license or a change from LPN to RN), and a valid Social Security number. You also submit a current photo that is not from a driver's license, ID, or passport.

Exam applicants add a certification of school form. Endorsement applications include a manually signed signature file and documentation for any "yes" answers about disciplinary actions.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $75
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $75
• Application Processing Time: 1-2 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew online. The first license runs one to two years; after that, renew every two years on or before your birthday. Maine has no grace period, so the license expires if you miss your birthday. There are no specific CE requirements for renewal.

• Renewal Fee: $75
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Maryland

Maryland is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Maryland Board of Nursing regulates exam, endorsement, and renewals. All applicants must have graduated from an accredited program and submit official transcripts, a background check and fingerprinting, and a declaration of primary state of residence. Exam applicants submit passing NCLEX-RN scores; endorsement applicants verify an active license and a digital passport-style photo.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $187
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $230
• Application Processing Time: 4-6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renewal notices are emailed 90 days before expiration, and all renewals are online. A renewal can be held for a tax hold, an incomplete background check, disciplinary action, or an incomplete application. Licenses renew every two years in odd or even years depending on your birth year. Complete the application, pay the fee, and document 1,000 hours of active practice in the past five years or 30 CE hours within two years.

• Renewal Fee: $191
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has enacted the compact but has not yet implemented it.

RN License Application

The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing sets the rules for exam, endorsement, and renewal. All applicants must have graduated from a board-approved program, passed the NCLEX-RN, and be of good moral character as defined by state law.

Endorsement applicants verify every active license in Nursys. You must be licensed in another state or the District of Columbia and have a valid Social Security number.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $230
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $275
• Application Processing Time: 8 weeks

RN License Renewal

Licenses expire on your birthday in even-numbered years; a license issued within three months of your birthday is valid until the next cycle. If you have not completed a course on diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with cognitive impairments, you must complete it. Renewal requires attesting to good moral character and mandatory abuse reporting, plus 15 CE hours.

• Renewal Fee: $120
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Michigan

Michigan has enacted the compact but has not yet implemented it, so a Michigan license is single-state for now.

RN License Application

The Michigan Board of Nursing no longer accepts paper applications. Online, all applicants submit a background check, official transcripts, good moral character answers, a valid Social Security number, and nursing education details. You also complete human trafficking and implicit bias training. Exam applications include passing NCLEX scores; endorsement requires an active unencumbered license from another state.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: About $212
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: About $212
• Application Processing Time: 3-6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years. Michigan gives a 60-day grace period before you have to go through relicensure. Renewal requires 25 CE hours every two years, including two hours in pain and symptom management and a one-time human trafficking module.

• Renewal Fee: About $161
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Minnesota

Minnesota has enacted the compact but has not yet implemented it.

RN License Application

The Minnesota Board of Nursing accepts paper and online applications. All applicants complete an application, pay nonrefundable fees, and undergo a background check. Exam applications include confirmation of program completion and passing NCLEX scores; a "yes" to any disciplinary question may be grounds for denial. Endorsement applicants submit license verification from another state or territory, confirmation of employment, and any CE hours or refresher courses, depending on when they last practiced.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $105
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $105
• Application Processing Time: Not Specified

RN License Renewal

You receive a mailed reminder about three months before expiration; paper renewals are no longer offered without a specific request. Renew every two years in your birth month. The initial period runs 6 to 29 months, but later licenses last two years. You complete 24 CE hours, which need not be submitted with the application but must be available for audit.

• Renewal Fee: $85
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Mississippi

Mississippi is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Mississippi Board of Nursing grants new graduates temporary permits that last three months when they meet specific criteria and have applied for licensure by examination. Every application requires a valid Social Security number, a completed background check, a passing NCLEX score, a degree from an approved program, and an official transcript. Multistate applicants must meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements.

Endorsement applicants who meet specific requirements can also get temporary permits. Endorsement applications include a statement of primary state of residence, verification of the original license, a current active license, and proof of residency.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $100
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $100
• Application Processing Time: Not Specified

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years, between September 1 and December 31 of even-numbered years. Renewals are online and require documentation of 20 CE hours completed within the past 24 months.

• Renewal Fee: $100
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Missouri

Missouri is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Missouri Board of Nursing requires applications to be completed, signed, and notarized, with evidence of U.S. citizenship, a request for a final official transcript showing the degree and graduation date, a completed background check, and documentation for any "yes" answers.

Exam applications add passing NCLEX-RN scores. Endorsement requires Nursys enrollment to verify current and past licenses. Missouri does not issue temporary permits or license cards.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $0 Initial
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $105
• Application Processing Time: 5-7 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew at least three business days before expiration. Licenses expire April 30 of odd-numbered years. Directions are emailed about three months before expiration every two years. There is no grace period; failure to renew lapses the license and requires reinstatement. There are no CE requirements.

• Renewal Fee: $85
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Montana

Montana is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Montana Board of Nursing regulates exam and endorsement. All applicants apply online and send fingerprints to the Montana Department of Justice for a background check. Exam applicants submit evidence of completing an approved program and passing the NCLEX. Endorsement applicants submit a non-criminal notice of applicant rights form and official license verification through Nursys from every state or territory where they hold or have held any professional license.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $100
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $200
• Application Processing Time: 30 days

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years by December 31 in odd or even years. Apply online or on paper. CE is no longer required for renewal.

• Renewal Fee: $100
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Nebraska

Nebraska is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Nebraska Board of Nursing accepts paper and online applications. All applications include evidence of graduation from an approved program, evidence of U.S. citizenship, a completed background check, and a passing NCLEX score.

Exam applicants document any "yes" answers about disciplinary actions or convictions. Endorsement applicants must be licensed in another state and have passed the NCLEX, State Board Test Pool Examination, or Canadian Nurses Association exam. For a multistate license, you also meet the competency criteria and move your residence to Nebraska.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $123
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $123
• Application Processing Time: 8-10 weeks

RN License Renewal

Licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years. Renew online with at least 500 practice hours in the past five years and 20 CE hours from an approved provider in the last two years. If you cannot meet those, you complete an approved refresher course in the last five years or graduated from a program in the past two years.

• Renewal Fee: $123
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Nevada

Nevada is not a compact state.

RN License Application

The Nevada State Board of Nursing takes applications through its online portal with nonrefundable fees. All applicants provide evidence of graduation from an accredited program, a fingerprint card or electronic submission, and a valid Social Security number. Exam applicants need a passing NCLEX score; endorsement applicants supply official verification of the original license by examination. Applications are valid for one year from receipt.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $100
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $100
• Application Processing Time: 1-2 weeks

RN License Renewal

Licenses are valid for two years and expire on your birthdate. The board opens renewals within 60 days of expiration, with a late fee after that date. Once you start the renewal, the Nurse Portal notifies you within 24 hours if fingerprints are required. Renewal requires 30 CE hours, including at least four in DEI and cultural competency and a one-time four-hour bioterrorism course.

• Renewal Fee: $100
• Renewal Period: 2 years

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a compact state.

RN License Application

The New Hampshire Board of Nursing sits under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. All applicants submit a background check and a copy of their state-issued driver's license. Exam applicants submit passing NCLEX scores and official transcripts from an approved program. Endorsement applicants verify current and past licensure.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $116
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $116
• Application Processing Time: 4-6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years; a registration code arrives by email 60 days before expiration. Renew online with 30 CE hours in the past two years or completion of the NCLEX within two years. You also document 400 working hours within four years of the application, or NCLEX completion within two years.

• Renewal Fee: $116
• Renewal Period: 2 years

New Jersey

New Jersey is a compact state.

RN License Application

The New Jersey Board of Nursing has combined the exam and endorsement applications. The new candidate application is for nurses who have never been licensed or are licensed in another state. Those who meet the compact requirements get a multistate license; everyone else gets a single-state license.

The application is online, with a paper re-examination application for those who do not pass the NCLEX. Applicants must complete an approved accredited program, pass a fingerprint-based background check, and answer questions about student loans, child support, medical conditions, and education. First-time applicants submit passing NCLEX-RN scores; those licensed elsewhere verify their current license through Nursys.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $80
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $120
• Application Processing Time: 8-12 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renewal opens March 31 and closes May 31. If you miss the expiration date, you have 30 days to apply and pay the renewal and expiration fees, and you cannot practice with an expired license. New Jersey requires 30 CE hours, including one on prescription opioid drugs. You attest to completing CE, and the board can audit for at least five years.

• Renewal Fee: $120
• Renewal Period: 2 years

New Mexico

New Mexico is a compact state.

RN License Application

The New Mexico Board of Nursing offers exam and endorsement. All applications are online and must be completed within one year of submission, with a background check. Exam applicants submit official transcripts and passing NCLEX scores. Endorsement applicants verify licensure from the state where they were licensed by examination, which can be done through Nursys.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $150
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $150
• Application Processing Time: 10 business days

RN License Renewal

Licenses are valid for one year and renew by the last day of your birth month; the first cycle can run up to two years depending on approval date. Pay the nonrefundable fee and submit 30 CE hours, or certification or recertification by a national organization such as CCRN or PCCN.

• Renewal Fee: $110
• Renewal Period: 1 year

New York

New York has enacted the compact but has not yet implemented it.

RN License Application

The New York State Education Department Office of the Professions regulates licensure. New York offers five pathways: for people never licensed, graduates from another state, nurses licensed in another state, applicants with recent degrees, and graduates of foreign nursing schools.

All applicants demonstrate good moral character, and any "yes" answers require supporting documentation. Exam applicants apply online, pay by credit card, pass the NCLEX, and verify any non-nursing licenses from another state or territory. Nurses educated outside New York complete a one-time two-hour course on child abuse reporting.

Endorsement applicants were licensed in another state or territory and complete approved infection control, child abuse, and identification courses, submitted with the online application, fees, verification of education, and verification of out-of-state licensure.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $143
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $143
• Application Processing Time: 6-8 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every three years in your birth month. The state mails renewal applications about four months before expiration. You cannot work with an expired license. Every four years, you complete an approved infection control course.

• Renewal Fee: $73
• Renewal Period: 3 years

North Carolina

North Carolina is a compact state.

RN License Application

The North Carolina Board of Nursing regulates exam and endorsement. All applicants submit a background check and a valid Social Security number. Exam applicants include NCLEX results and evidence of graduation from an approved accredited program; those who fail can retest with a new authorization to test.

Endorsement requires details on the basic nursing program, the state, year, and license number of the original license by examination, plus the same for all other state licenses. The application also requires employment dates and positions in the last two years, a current Social Security number, a background check, and verification from the original state. Nurses from another compact state can practice under the former multistate license until North Carolina issues the new one.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $75
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $150
• Application Processing Time: 30 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years; licenses expire on the last day of your birth month. A late license moves to expired status, and you cannot practice until it is reinstated. Nurses with an expired North Carolina license cannot declare another compact state as primary residence. You undergo a background check if charged or convicted since the last renewal. Renewal requires 30 CE hours, or 15 CE hours plus 640 practice hours within the past two years.

• Renewal Fee: $100
• Renewal Period: 2 years

North Dakota

North Dakota is a compact state.

RN License Application

The North Dakota Board of Nursing accepts all applications online. All applicants submit a valid U.S. Social Security number, evidence of completing an approved program, and a clear or approved criminal history check.

Exam applications add official transcripts, a passing NCLEX-RN score, and proof North Dakota is the primary residence. Endorsement applicants document licensure in another jurisdiction, have never held a North Dakota license, and prove 400 practice hours, program completion, or a board-approved refresher course in the last four years. Applicants whose primary residence is outside North Dakota are not eligible.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $125
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $150
• Application Processing Time: 5-10 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years with at least 400 practice hours in the past four years. The state requires 12 CE hours, which do not carry over between cycles.

• Renewal Fee: $140
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Ohio

Ohio is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Ohio Board of Nursing uses an online system for applications and renewals; first-time users register an account. Exam applicants submit the application, a background check, and NCLEX results.

Endorsement is for nurses licensed in another state who have never held an Ohio license. Temporary permits allow practice for 180 days until requirements are met. Background checks and fingerprint cards are required, along with official license verification through Nursys.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $75
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $75
• Application Processing Time: 6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years in odd-numbered years; the window opens July 1 and closes October 31. Complete 24 CE hours during the cycle. Nurses licensed by endorsement for a year or less, depending on when in the cycle the license was granted, complete 12 hours.

• Renewal Fee: $65-$115
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a compact state.

RN License Application

Applications for exam and endorsement are on the Oklahoma Board of Nursing website. All applicants submit a fingerprint-based background check, verification of U.S. citizenship, and evidence of graduation from a state-approved program. You also verify no felony conviction, guilty finding, or plea agreement, and no current enrollment in an alternative substance use program.

Exam applicants must never have been licensed in Oklahoma or another state. The application includes official transcripts, passing NCLEX-RN scores, and a declaration that Oklahoma is the primary residence. Endorsement applicants verify all professional licenses.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $85
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $150
• Application Processing Time: 10 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years at the end of your birth month. Meet continuing competency by completing at least one of: 520 verified work hours, 24 CE hours, current specialty certification, a board-approved refresher course, or six academic semester credit hours in nursing.

• Renewal Fee: $75
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Oregon

Oregon is not a compact state.

RN License Application

The Oregon State Board of Nursing takes exam applications through an online portal. The application requires truthful answers to disclosure questions, the correct fees, passing NCLEX scores, a fingerprint-based background check, and a request for an official transcript from an approved program.

Nurses licensed elsewhere can request licensure by endorsement. You need at least 400 verified practice hours within two years or graduation from your initial program within two years, plus a Nursys verification and a fingerprint-based background check.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $260
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $295
• Application Processing Time: 4-6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years. The expiration date is the day before your birthday, in even years if you were born in an even year and odd years if you were born in an odd year. Complete one of: 400 practice hours in the last two years; 600 hours in three years with 20 CE; or 800 hours in four years with 30 CE. Every renewal also requires a one-hour pain management module and two hours of cultural competency education.

• Renewal Fee: $245
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing offers paper or online applications for exam and endorsement. All applicants submit a valid U.S. Social Security number, nonrefundable fees, and a recent criminal history check. Exam applicants provide a passing NCLEX score.

Pennsylvania offers temporary practice permits for graduate nurses from program completion until NCLEX results are available. Multistate applicants must have Pennsylvania as their primary residence. Endorsement requires verification of out-of-state licensure, three hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training, and answers about rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, or disciplinary actions from other boards.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $95
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $120
• Application Processing Time: 80 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years; a notice arrives before expiration. Complete 30 CE hours, including a board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting course, and answer questions about any rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, or disciplinary action since the last renewal. A "yes" may require supporting documentation. If you do not complete the requirements, you must reactivate the license and cannot practice without it.

• Renewal Fee: $122
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Rhode Island Department of Health regulates licenses, with all applications online. The state offers a single-state license for those who do not meet compact requirements. Complete the application, pay the fee, list Rhode Island as your residence, and be a first-time applicant or hold an unencumbered multistate license.

All applicants prove primary residence with a valid driver's license, voter registration, or federal tax return, and submit fingerprint-based background checks, official transcripts from an accredited program, and passing NCLEX scores. Endorsement applicants must have passed the NCLEX and be licensed in another state, verified through Nursys. If you hold a Pennsylvania license, request that verification be sent directly from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $135
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $135
• Application Processing Time: 4-6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years; a notice arrives 60 days before expiration. Complete 10 CE hours every two years, two of them on substance use, plus a one-time CE on Alzheimer's disease. The board may grant a six-month extension for hardship.

• Renewal Fee: $135
• Renewal Period: 2 years

South Carolina

South Carolina is a compact state.

RN License Application

The South Carolina Board of Nursing lets graduates of an accredited program hold a temporary license for 90 days pending NCLEX completion. The temporary license ends when you fail the exam, a permanent license is issued, or a permanent license is denied.

Online exam applications require a valid state ID, Social Security number, a notarized signature affidavit with a 2x2 color passport photo, proof of legal name, and verification of lawful presence. Multistate applicants also prove South Carolina is their primary residence. Endorsement requires no prior South Carolina license, verification of the original state through Nursys, a background check, and documentation of continued competency (contact hours, certification or recertification, an academic program, or practice hours).

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $90
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $100
• Application Processing Time: 14 business days

RN License Renewal

Notices come by email or mail. Licenses expire April 30 of even-numbered years. Meet continued competency with 30 contact hours, certification or recertification by a national body, completion of an academic program, or employer verification.

• Renewal Fee: $75
• Renewal Period: 2 years

South Dakota

South Dakota is a compact state.

RN License Application

The South Dakota Board of Nursing requires exam applicants to have never taken the NCLEX but to have completed a board-approved program. The state may grant a 90-day nonrenewable temporary permit to first-time NCLEX takers who meet eligibility, valid until written test results arrive.

South Dakota may also grant a 90-day nonrenewable temporary permit for endorsement, issued after an online application and a completed background check. All endorsement applicants complete a background check with fingerprint cards and verify the original state of licensure through Nursys. The state requires practice hours to maintain an active license: at least 140 hours in a 12-month period or 480 hours over the past six years.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $100
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $100
• Application Processing Time: 30-31 days

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years online. The information must match your renewal postcard. Provide your Social Security number, RN license number, employment verification, and the credit card billing address for the fees. Verify at least 140 practice hours in the last 12 months or 480 hours in the last six years.

• Renewal Fee: $115
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Tennessee

Tennessee is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Tennessee Board of Nursing uses an online portal for exam, endorsement, and renewal. All applicants submit a fingerprint background check, NCLEX results for initial applicants, an official transcript from their initial education, a passport-sized photo signed and dated on the front, and a declaration of citizenship form.

You also submit NCLEX or SBTPE results if licensed out of state. Exam applicants need a current driver's license. A positive criminal history or accommodations require additional documentation. Endorsement can take up to six weeks. Nurses who declare residence in another state can hold a multistate license but cannot move it to Tennessee. Endorsement requires license verification from the original state through Nursys.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $100
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $115
• Application Processing Time: 6 weeks

RN License Renewal

Renew every two years. The board mails notices 45 days before expiration to the address on file, and you can renew online up to 60 days early. Miss the date and you cannot practice. Meet continued competency two ways from 14 options, including a satisfactory employer evaluation, current national certification, 10 CE hours, a published nursing article, or a satisfactory refresher course.

• Renewal Fee: $100
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Texas

Texas is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Texas Board of Nursing uses an online portal for exam, endorsement, and renewal. All nurses complete a background check, pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Examination, and graduate from an approved school. Exam applicants apply online or on paper and include a passing NCLEX score.

Endorsement applicants relocating from another compact state have 60 days from the move to apply. The application requires evidence of working in a state that required or used the NCLEX within the past four years. You are not eligible for endorsement if you have not held a license, did not graduate from an approved program, or did not take the NCLEX.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $75
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $150
• Application Processing Time: 15 business days

RN License Renewal

Licenses are valid for two years and expire on the last day of your birth month, in odd or even years depending on your birth year. Complete 20 contact hours of CE or hold an active national certification.

• Renewal Fee: $68
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Utah

Utah is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Utah Division of Professional Licensing uses an online portal for exam, endorsement, and renewal. Exam applicants include a passing NCLEX score, a background check, and official transcripts from an accredited program. Endorsement applicants must have held a similar license in another state for at least one year, active and in good standing, and submit fingerprints, a background check, Nursys verification, and the fees.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $60
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $60
• Application Processing Time: 14 business days

RN License Renewal

Licenses expire January 31 of odd years; the Division mails a notice 60 days before. A license lapsed up to two years can be renewed online or by form with a reinstatement fee; after two years, you meet current licensure requirements. Renewal requires at least 400 practice hours, or 200 hours with 15 CE hours, or 30 CE hours without practice.

• Renewal Fee: $68
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Vermont

Vermont is a compact state.

RN License Application

The nursing section of the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation handles applications and renewals through an online system where you check status and request verification. A 90-day provisional license is available when all requirements are met except official license verification or background check results.

Multistate applicants declare Vermont as their residence, undergo a fingerprint-based background check, graduate from an approved program, and register for the NCLEX. Endorsement applicants complete an online application and submit verification of licensure from the most recent and original states through Nursys, plus a fingerprint-based background check.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $75
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $150
• Application Processing Time: Minimum of 5 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew online with a nonrefundable fee. You need 400 practice hours in the past two years or 960 within five years. Alternatively, complete 20 CE hours within two years, hold a national certification, or have completed your original program within the last five years. A background check is no longer required at renewal if you completed one originally and had no lapse in licensure.

• Renewal Fee: $220
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Virginia

Virginia is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Virginia Board of Nursing offers online and paper applications. Exam applicants complete a fingerprint-based background check, register for the NCLEX, and submit a final transcript or official attestation of graduation from an approved program, plus supporting documents for accommodations or any "yes" answers.

Endorsement applicants need a background check, verification of the original state where they took the NCLEX, credential evaluations, proof of primary residence, and a valid U.S. Social Security number. Endorsement applications are accepted online only.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $190
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $190
• Application Processing Time: 30 business days

RN License Renewal

Renew online using the PIN sent with your notice, mailed 60 days before expiration. Meet continued education with one of: 30 CE hours, 640 practice hours, 15 CE hours, active specialty certification, a board-approved refresher course, or three credit hours of post-licensure academic education.

• Renewal Fee: $140
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Washington

Washington is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Washington State Board of Nursing regulates licenses. You choose a single-state or multistate license. Multistate applicants provide a valid Social Security number, declare Washington as their primary residence, and meet Uniform Multistate License requirements. All applicants pass the NCLEX and an FBI fingerprint background check.

Exam applicants must be applying for their first license in any state and should start only when ready to schedule the NCLEX; after 30 days of inactivity, the application gets a 30-day closure warning. You request official transcripts, cannot be in an alternative or disciplinary program, and cannot have a felony conviction. Endorsement applicants must have graduated from an approved school and verify an active license in another state.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $138
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $138
• Application Processing Time: 7 days

RN License Renewal

Renew every year by your birthday to stay active. Mail or submit the fee and application online. Washington requires CE and active practice hours: CE in health equity, eight CE hours, 96 practice hours each year, and a one-time six-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management.

• Renewal Fee: $138
• Renewal Period: 2 years

West Virginia

West Virginia is a compact state.

RN License Application

The West Virginia RN Board regulates licensing. You choose a single-state or multistate license. For a multistate license, West Virginia must be your declared residence and you must meet requirements such as proof of residency and citizenship. All applicants complete a fingerprint-based criminal history check. Exam applicants submit a passing NCLEX score and evidence of completing an approved program; endorsement applicants verify licensure in another state.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $70
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $125
• Application Processing Time: 14 business days

RN License Renewal

Licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years; the window opens September 1. Miss the date and you cannot practice. Complete 12 CE hours every two years, including three hours of drug diversion training within one year of your initial license.

• Renewal Fee: $90
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Wisconsin Board of Nursing offers online and paper applications for exam and endorsement. You choose a single-state or multistate license; multistate applicants prove Wisconsin is their primary residence. All applicants submit passing NCLEX scores, fingerprints for a background check, and a release for FBI information.

Exam applicants document graduation from an approved program with official transcripts. Endorsement applicants hold an active license in another state, verified through Nursys for both the initial exam state and the current state.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $73
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $73
• Application Processing Time: Not Specified

RN License Renewal

Wisconsin does not require CE for renewal. The credential expires February 28 of even-numbered years. The renewal application uses a different portal than the one for initial or endorsement licensure.

• Renewal Fee: $73
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Wyoming

Wyoming is a compact state.

RN License Application

The Wyoming State Board of Nursing accepts online applications only, valid for 12 months, and takes payment by credit card. Set up an account first. All applicants provide a fingerprint background check and official transcripts showing the degree and date awarded from an accredited program. Exam applicants submit a passing NCLEX score; endorsement applicants verify licensure through Nursys for both the original state and the current state of employment.

• Application Fee for Licensure by Exam: $130
• Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement: $135
• Application Processing Time: 3-5 business days

RN License Renewal

Renewal requires proof of competency. You skip additional CE if you have practiced 400 hours in the past two years. With 200 hours, you complete 15 CE hours; with fewer than 200 hours, you complete 30 CE hours. Renew online; licenses expire every two years in even-numbered years, with the window open October 1 through December 31.

• Renewal Fee: $110
• Renewal Period: 2 years

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a registered nurse?

Earn at least an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and pass the NCLEX-RN, then apply for licensure through your state board. Each state adds its own requirements, such as a background check and education verification.

What are the requirements to become an RN?

Graduate from an accredited program and pass the NCLEX-RN. Some states also require a background check, fingerprints, and official transcripts. Internationally educated RNs may need to pass an English proficiency test and show work experience.

How long does it take to become an RN?

Two to four years, depending on your degree. An ADN takes about two years; a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) takes four. After graduation, you take the NCLEX-RN to earn your license.

Do you need a license to work as an RN in every state?

Yes. You need a valid RN license to practice in any state. Compact states let you work on one multistate license instead of a separate license for each.