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Healthcare license portability
Licensed Practical Nurse license reciprocity by state
Licensed Practical Nurse licenses are broadly portable across the US — 47 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still depends on a national registry credential or a state law (jurisprudence) exam. Each row below links to the state's official licensing board and lists the specific reciprocal states where we have them.
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38 states recognize
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9 via endorsement
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3 require exam
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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
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Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
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Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
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Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
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Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
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No license required
State does not license this profession.
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Check with board
The state publishes no clear transfer rule. Contact the licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row shows the destination state's reciprocity tier, the board's own language behind it, and a link to the official state licensing board.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | check_circle Recognized | Alabama is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Alabama. LPNs moving to Alabama from another NLC state must apply for an Alabama multistate license within 30 days. For non-NLC states, verification of licensure from the original state is required, and the nursing program must substantially meet Alabama's educational criteria. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Alaska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alaska offers LPN licensure by endorsement for nurses licensed in other states. Applicants must submit verification of their current license, evidence of passing the NCLEX-PN or SBTPE, and proof of having practiced at least 320 hours in the past two years. If they cannot document 320 hours, they must satisfy continuing competency requirements or complete a Board-approved refresher course. If they haven't practiced in the last five years, a Board-approved refresher course is required. Verification of licensure from the initial state and current state is required. Alaska is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arizona | check_circle Recognized | Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Arizona. If Arizona becomes their primary state of residence, they must apply for an Arizona multistate license. LPNs licensed in non-NLC states can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires verification of their original license, a criminal background check, and meeting Arizona's educational requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | check_circle Recognized | Arkansas is a compact state. Licensure by endorsement is available for nurses licensed in other jurisdictions, provided their primary state of residence is Arkansas or a non-compact state. Verification of licensure from the original state is required, often through Nursys.com. Official state board arrow_outward |
| California | edit_note Exam required | California does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Applicants licensed in another U.S. state, territory, or Canada must apply for licensure by endorsement and meet California's educational requirements. If educational requirements are not met, applicants must apply for licensure by examination. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Colorado | check_circle Recognized | Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with an active multistate license from another compact state can practice in Colorado. For those from non-NLC states, licensure by endorsement is available, requiring verification of a current license, completion of an equivalent practical nursing program, and passing the NCLEX-PN or equivalent exam. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | check_circle Recognized | Connecticut is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Connecticut. LPNs licensed in non-NLC states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Delaware | check_circle Recognized | Delaware is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Delaware. Those moving to Delaware from another compact state must apply for a Delaware license within 60 days of establishing residency. LPNs licensed in a non-compact state can apply for licensure by endorsement if they meet practice requirements (graduation from a board-approved program within the past two years with at least 400 clinical hours, or 1,000 hours of practice over the past five years, or 400 hours over the past two years, or completion of a board-approved refresher program). Official state board arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | The District of Columbia does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. LPNs licensed in other states may apply for licensure by endorsement. Verification of licensure is required from the original state of licensure and any current state of licensure. If the state participates in Nursys, verification should be completed through Nursys. If not, direct verification from the state board is required. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Florida | check_circle Recognized | Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state to practice in Florida. For non-NLC states, licensure by endorsement is available for those with an active, unencumbered license, provided the original licensure requirements were substantially equivalent to Florida's. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Georgia | check_circle Recognized | Georgia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC state to practice in Georgia. LPNs from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Hawaii does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses licensed in other states must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Idaho | check_circle Recognized | Idaho is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, allowing LPNs from other compact states to practice without additional licensure unless they declare Idaho as their primary state of residence. For endorsement, applicants need an active, unencumbered license from another U.S. jurisdiction, graduation from an accredited nursing program, and must have actively practiced nursing a minimum of 80 hours in the past three years. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Illinois | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Illinois is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state. LPNs licensed in other states can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires meeting Illinois' eligibility requirements, including proof of current LPN licensure, official transcripts from a state-approved nursing program, passing NCLEX-PN scores, and a criminal background check. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Indiana | check_circle Recognized | Indiana offers licensure by endorsement for LPNs licensed in other states. Indiana is also a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing LPNs with a compact license from another NLC state to practice in Indiana without additional licensure. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Iowa | check_circle Recognized | Iowa is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing LPNs from other compact states to practice. Nurses relocating from another compact state must apply for a new license by endorsement in Iowa within 60 days. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kansas | check_circle Recognized | Kansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multi-state license from another compact state can practice in Kansas. LPNs from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | edit_note Exam required | Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. LPNs licensed in Kentucky may practice in other compact states with a multistate license. LPNs moving from a compact state and declaring Kentucky as their primary state of residence must apply for licensure by endorsement. Endorsement applicants must also pass the Jurisprudence Exam and complete state and federal criminal background checks. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | check_circle Recognized | Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs licensed in other NLC states with a multistate license can practice in Louisiana. LPNs licensed in non-compact states or those with a single-state license in a compact state may be eligible for licensure by endorsement if they meet Louisiana's criteria, including having a current, unrestricted LPN license, completing a Board-approved nursing education program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and undergoing a criminal background check. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maine | check_circle Recognized | Maine is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. LPNs with a multi-state license from another compact state can practice in Maine. Those moving to Maine from a compact state must submit a Declaration of Primary Residence Form upon relocation and apply for a Maine multi-state license. LPNs licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maryland | check_circle Recognized | Maryland is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Maryland without further licensure, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Maryland. LPNs licensed in a non-compact state can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires verification of their original license, a background check, and potentially an English proficiency exam for internationally educated nurses. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Massachusetts does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Applicants licensed in other states must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Michigan | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Michigan does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. LPNs licensed in other states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Those licensed in Canada may apply for reciprocity. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | help_outline Check with board | Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota Official state board arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Mississippi does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for LPNs. LPNs licensed in other states must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Missouri | check_circle Recognized | Missouri is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Missouri. LPNs from non-compact states must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Montana | check_circle Recognized | Montana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Montana without a separate license. If changing primary state of residence to Montana, an LPN must apply for a Montana license within 60 days. LPNs from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | check_circle Recognized | Nebraska is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate NLC license from another compact state can practice in Nebraska. Those licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement, which may include a temporary permit. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nevada | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nevada does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. LPNs licensed in other states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | check_circle Recognized | New Hampshire is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license to practice in other compact states. For endorsement, applicants must meet specific practice hour or recent NCLEX completion requirements. Some states (California, Hawaii, Louisiana (PN), Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania) require paper verification of licensure. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | check_circle Recognized | New Jersey is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with an active, unencumbered multistate license from another NLC state may practice in New Jersey. New Jersey residents who meet the requirements can apply for a multistate license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | check_circle Recognized | New Mexico is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs holding a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in New Mexico. If New Mexico becomes the primary state of residence, a New Mexico multistate license is required. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New York | edit_note Exam required | New York does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Licensure by endorsement is available for LPNs licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or Canada who meet New York's requirements, including passing the NCLEX-PN or State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE). Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | check_circle Recognized | North Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in NC. Those from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | check_circle Recognized | North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC member state to practice without additional licensure. Those moving to North Dakota and declaring it as their primary state of residence must apply for a North Dakota multistate license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Ohio | check_circle Recognized | Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state to practice. LPNs licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | check_circle Recognized | Oklahoma is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state to practice without obtaining an additional license. LPNs from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oregon | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oregon is not a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs licensed in other states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | check_circle Recognized | Pennsylvania is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania LPNs whose primary residence is Pennsylvania can apply for a multistate license to practice in other NLC states. LPNs from non-NLC states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | check_circle Recognized | Rhode Island is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state as of January 1, 2024. Eligible LPNs can obtain a multistate license to practice in other compact states. LPNs licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | check_circle Recognized | South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing LPNs licensed in other compact states to practice. LPNs from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | check_circle Recognized | South Dakota is a compact state, allowing multi-state licensure for nurses from other eNLC states. LPNs from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires verification of original licensure, transcripts, NCLEX-PN passing score, and a criminal background check. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | check_circle Recognized | Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). LPNs from other compact states can practice in Tennessee without obtaining a new license. LPNs from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Texas | check_circle Recognized | Texas is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing LPNs with a multi-state license to practice in other NLC states. LPNs from non-NLC states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Utah | check_circle Recognized | Utah is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC state to practice. LPNs from non-NLC states or those without a multistate license can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires a valid LPN license, passing the NCLEX-PN, verification of current license, a clean disciplinary record, fingerprints for a criminal background check, and official transcripts. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Vermont | check_circle Recognized | Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state to practice. LPNs licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Virginia | check_circle Recognized | Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing LPNs with a multi-state license from another compact state to practice in Virginia. For non-compact states, licensure by endorsement is available, requiring verification of licensure from the original state and meeting Virginia's requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Washington | check_circle Recognized | Washington is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another NLC jurisdiction can practice in Washington. LPNs with a single-state Washington license can apply to convert to a multistate license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | check_circle Recognized | West Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state to practice. LPNs licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | check_circle Recognized | Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state do not need to apply for licensure unless permanently moving to Wisconsin. LPNs from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | check_circle Recognized | Wyoming is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state to practice without additional licensure. For those licensed in non-compact states, licensure by endorsement is available, requiring proof of an approved nursing program, passing the NCLEX-PN, an active unencumbered license, and a background check. Official state board arrow_outward |
Licensed Practical Nurse reciprocity: common questions
Does a licensed practical nurse license transfer to another state?
Licensed Practical Nurse licenses are broadly portable across the US — 47 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still depends on a national registry credential or a state law (jurisprudence) exam. It depends on the destination state — see the state-by-state table above.
Which states accept an out-of-state licensed practical nurse license directly?
38 states recognize an existing license or national credential without a new state exam: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
Which states license out-of-state licensed practical nurses by endorsement?
8 states and DC issue a new license by endorsement — an application, fees and verification of your current credential, typically without retaking the main exam: Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
Which states make licensed practical nurses take an exam to transfer?
3 states require a state exam or state-specific training before licensing an out-of-state licensed practical nurse: California, Kentucky, New York. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
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How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-10-15
Reciprocity tiers and summaries are compiled from each state's licensing board and department of professional regulation — linked per row above — and reviewed against public board guidance. Licensing rules change frequently and often depend on your license class (for example journeyman vs. master) and the specific states involved. Always confirm current requirements directly with the destination state's board before making a career or relocation decision. This page is informational and is not legal or licensing advice.
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Each profession has its own state-by-state reciprocity matrix.
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