map
Healthcare license portability
Licensed Practical Nurse license reciprocity by state
Licensed Practical Nurse licenses are broadly portable across the US — 47 of 51 states accept transfers with either direct recognition or licensure by endorsement. Tier classifications below come from each state's licensing board; click into any row for the source language and current fees.
check_circle
38 states recognize
assignment_turned_in
9 via endorsement
edit_note
3 require exam
hub
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets nurses with a multistate license practice in any other member state without a separate application. NLC membership varies by state (and by license type) — check each destination state's entry to see whether it participates.
Reciprocity tier legend
check_circle
Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
assignment_turned_in
Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
edit_note
Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
block
Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
remove_circle_outline
No license required
State does not license this profession.
help_outline
Unclear
State policy ambiguous or silent. Contact licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row links to the full licensed practical nurse profile for that state — exam costs, application fees, licensing board contact, and the source language behind the tier classification.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | check_circle Recognized | Alabama is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-NLC licensees require endorsement with educational review. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Alaska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alaska offers LPN licensure by endorsement, requiring verification, exam proof, and recent practice hours. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Arizona | check_circle Recognized | Arizona is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-NLC licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | check_circle Recognized | Arkansas is a compact state; licensure by endorsement is available for nurses establishing residency or from non-compact states. | Full page arrow_outward |
| California | edit_note Exam required | California does not participate in NLC; endorsement is available, but examination may be required if education is not met. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Colorado | check_circle Recognized | Colorado is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-NLC licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | check_circle Recognized | Connecticut is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-NLC licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Delaware | check_circle Recognized | Delaware is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-compact licensees can apply for endorsement if practice requirements are met. | Full page arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | DC does not participate in NLC; LPNs licensed in other states may apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Florida | check_circle Recognized | Florida is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-NLC licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Georgia | check_circle Recognized | Georgia is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-compact licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Hawaii does not participate in NLC; nurses licensed in other states must apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Idaho | check_circle Recognized | Idaho is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Endorsement is available for those establishing residency or from non-compact states. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Illinois | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Illinois is not an NLC state; LPNs licensed elsewhere can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Indiana | check_circle Recognized | Indiana is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Endorsement is available for non-NLC licensees. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Iowa | check_circle Recognized | Iowa is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Relocating NLC nurses must apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Kansas | check_circle Recognized | Kansas is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-compact licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | edit_note Exam required | Kentucky is an NLC state; relocating NLC nurses must apply for endorsement and pass a jurisprudence exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | check_circle Recognized | Louisiana is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-compact licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Maine | check_circle Recognized | Maine is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Relocating NLC or non-compact licensees apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Maryland | check_circle Recognized | Maryland is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-compact licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Massachusetts does not participate in NLC; applicants licensed elsewhere must apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Michigan | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Michigan does not participate in NLC; LPNs licensed elsewhere can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | help_outline Unclear | The provided text is a list of states and does not describe Minnesota's reciprocity rules. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Mississippi does not participate in NLC for LPNs; out-of-state licensees must apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Missouri | check_circle Recognized | Missouri is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-compact licensees must apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Montana | check_circle Recognized | Montana is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Relocating NLC or non-compact licensees apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | check_circle Recognized | Nebraska is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-compact licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Nevada | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nevada does not participate in NLC; LPNs licensed in other states can apply for licensure by endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | check_circle Recognized | New Hampshire is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Endorsement requires meeting practice hour requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | check_circle Recognized | New Jersey is an NLC state; LPNs with a multistate license can practice directly. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | check_circle Recognized | New Mexico is an NLC state; LPNs with a multistate license can practice directly. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New York | edit_note Exam required | New York offers endorsement, but requires passing the NCLEX-PN or State Board Test Pool Examination. | Full page arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | check_circle Recognized | North Carolina is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | check_circle Recognized | North Dakota is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice without additional licensure. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Ohio | check_circle Recognized | Ohio is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | check_circle Recognized | Oklahoma is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Oregon | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oregon is not an NLC state; LPNs licensed elsewhere can apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | check_circle Recognized | Pennsylvania is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | check_circle Recognized | Rhode Island is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | check_circle Recognized | South Carolina is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | check_circle Recognized | South Dakota is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | check_circle Recognized | Tennessee is an eNLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Texas | check_circle Recognized | Texas is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Utah | check_circle Recognized | Utah is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Vermont | check_circle Recognized | Vermont is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Virginia | check_circle Recognized | Virginia is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Washington | check_circle Recognized | Washington is an NLC state; LPNs with a multistate license can practice directly. | Full page arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | check_circle Recognized | West Virginia is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | check_circle Recognized | Wisconsin is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | check_circle Recognized | Wyoming is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice, others apply for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
Other profession reciprocity guides
Each profession has its own state-by-state reciprocity matrix.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Dental Assistant
EMT
Medical Assistant
Medical Coder
Paramedic
Pharmacy Technician
Phlebotomist
Radiology Technologist
Respiratory Therapist
Surgical Technologist
CPA
Notary Public
Paralegal
Personal Trainer
CDL Truck Driver
Electrician
HVAC Technician
Plumber
Welder
Dental Hygienist
Insurance Agent
Real Estate Agent
Barber
Cosmetologist
Massage Therapist