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Healthcare license portability
Registered Nurse license reciprocity by state
Registered Nurse licenses are broadly portable across the US — all 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still requires a state-specific law or business 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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40 states recognize
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11 via endorsement
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The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets RNs with a multistate license practice in any other member state without a separate application. If you move your primary residence to another compact state you still apply for that state's license; non-compact states license out-of-state RNs by endorsement. 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 member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). Nurses with a valid multistate license from another compact state are not required to obtain an Alabama RN license unless Alabama becomes their primary state of residency. Applicants for licensure by endorsement from non-compact states must meet Alabama's requirements, including a criminal background check and submission of official transcripts and CE documentation. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Alaska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement is available for nurses licensed in other states. Alaska is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), though legislation is pending. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arizona | check_circle Recognized | Arizona is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate compact license whose primary residence is in another NLC state can practice in Arizona. For those licensed in non-compact states, licensure by endorsement is available, requiring verification of licensure from the original state, completion of an Arizona RN application, and a criminal background check. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | check_circle Recognized | Arkansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs with a multistate NLC license from another compact state can practice in Arkansas under compact privilege. Nurses licensed in non-compact states must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| California | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement is available for RNs with a current, active license in another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canada, provided they meet California's educational requirements and have passed the NCLEX-RN or SBTPE. California is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Colorado | check_circle Recognized | Colorado is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). RNs with a multistate license from another eNLC state can practice in Colorado without obtaining a separate Colorado license, as long as Colorado is not their primary state of residence. Nurses licensed in non-NLC states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | check_circle Recognized | Connecticut is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state as of October 1, 2025. RNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Connecticut. For those not eligible for a multistate license or whose primary state of residence is not an NLC member, licensure by endorsement is available. This requires verification of all RN licenses held, current or expired. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Delaware | check_circle Recognized | Delaware is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Delaware. Nurses relocating to Delaware from another compact state must apply for a Delaware license within 60 days of establishing residency. Nurses from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement is available for RNs licensed in another U.S. state or territory. The applicant must have passed the NCLEX-RN and hold a current license in the endorsing jurisdiction. Verification of licensure can be submitted through NURSYS or directly by the issuing board. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Florida | check_circle Recognized | Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Florida without obtaining a separate Florida license, as long as Florida is not their primary state of residence. If Florida becomes their primary state of residence, they must apply for licensure by endorsement. There are three pathways for licensure by endorsement: holding a valid license from another U.S. state/territory with substantially equivalent licensure requirements at the time of original licensure, meeting Florida's qualifications and passing a substantially equivalent exam, or actively practicing nursing in another U.S. state/territory for 2 of the preceding 3 years without disciplinary action. Applicants under the third pathway must complete a Florida laws and rules course within 6 months of licensure. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Georgia | check_circle Recognized | Georgia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Georgia. If establishing Georgia as their primary state of residence, they must apply for a Georgia multistate license within 60 days. Nurses from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement available for nurses licensed in other U.S. states or territories. Hawaii is not a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Idaho | check_circle Recognized | Idaho is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Idaho. If Idaho becomes the primary state of residence, an Idaho license is required. Nurses licensed in other states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Illinois | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement is available for RNs licensed in other states. Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Indiana | check_circle Recognized | Indiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs with a multistate license from their primary state of residence in another compact state can practice in Indiana. Nurses licensed in a non-compact state or those establishing Indiana residency must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Iowa | check_circle Recognized | Iowa is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing RNs with a multistate license from another compact state to practice in Iowa. Nurses relocating to another compact state have 60 days to apply for a new license by endorsement in their new primary state of residence. For those licensed in a non-compact state, licensure by endorsement requires an online application, fee, criminal background check, and verification of original license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kansas | check_circle Recognized | Kansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Kansas. Nurses licensed in a non-compact state can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires submitting an online application, official transcripts, license verification from the original state of licensure (via Nursys or direct from the board), and a background check with fingerprints. A new fingerprint submission is required for every multi-state application. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | check_circle Recognized | Kentucky is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs holding an active multistate license from another compact state may practice in Kentucky. If changing primary state of residence to Kentucky, a new multistate license must be obtained within 60 days. Nurses licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | check_circle Recognized | Louisiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Louisiana. Louisiana RNs with a single-state license can apply to convert it to a multistate license if they meet NLC requirements and declare Louisiana as their primary state of residence. Licensure by endorsement is also available for those licensed in non-compact states. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maine | check_circle Recognized | Maine is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state do not need to apply for a Maine license unless they plan to change their primary state of residence to Maine. Nurses from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maryland | check_circle Recognized | Maryland is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Maryland without obtaining a separate Maryland license, provided Maryland is not their primary state of residence. Nurses moving to Maryland and establishing residency, or those with a single-state license from a non-compact state, must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement is available. Massachusetts is in the process of implementing the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which was signed into law in November 2024. However, it is not yet operational, with full implementation anticipated by May 2027. Until then, nurses licensed in other NLC states must still apply for licensure by endorsement in Massachusetts. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Michigan | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement is available. Michigan is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so a Michigan-issued single-state license is required even for those with a multistate license from another compact state. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement available. Minnesota is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses licensed in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin may be eligible for the Border State License Recognition program under specific employment and residency conditions. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | check_circle Recognized | Mississippi is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Mississippi without applying for a separate Mississippi license. Nurses with a single-state license from a non-compact state must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Missouri | check_circle Recognized | Missouri is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Missouri. If changing primary state of residence to Missouri from another compact state, nurses must apply for a Missouri license within 60 days. Nurses from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Montana | check_circle Recognized | Montana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Montana. Nurses licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | check_circle Recognized | Nebraska is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Nebraska. Nurses licensed in a non-compact state can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nevada | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nevada is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses licensed in another state must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | check_circle Recognized | New Hampshire is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in New Hampshire. Nurses moving to New Hampshire from another compact state must apply for licensure in New Hampshire within 90 days of establishing residency. Nurses licensed in a non-compact state can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | check_circle Recognized | New Jersey is a fully implemented member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as of November 15, 2021. Nurses with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in New Jersey. New Jersey residents with an active single-state license can apply to upgrade to a multistate license. Nurses licensed in a non-compact state can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires verification of all current and former nursing licenses, a criminal background check, and an application fee of $75 plus a $120 initial license fee and a $5 Alternative to Discipline Fee. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | check_circle Recognized | New Mexico is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in New Mexico. Nurses relocating to New Mexico must apply for licensure by endorsement within 60 days of establishing residency. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New York | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New York is not a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member. Licensure by endorsement is available for nurses licensed in other U.S. states or territories. Applicants must meet all New York requirements, including coursework in infection control and child abuse identification and reporting, and verify all prior licenses. Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | check_circle Recognized | North Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in NC. Other out-of-state nurses can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | check_circle Recognized | North Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate NLC license from another compact state can practice in North Dakota under compact privilege if North Dakota is not their primary state of residency. Nurses licensed in a non-compact state or those establishing North Dakota residency must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Ohio | check_circle Recognized | Ohio is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Ohio. Nurses licensed in a non-NLC state can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires verification of licensure, a criminal records check, and two contact hours on Ohio nursing law and rules. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | check_circle Recognized | Oklahoma is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Oklahoma. Nurses with a single-state license from a non-NLC state or those establishing Oklahoma as their primary state of residence must apply for licensure by endorsement. A new NLC rule effective January 2, 2024, requires nurses relocating to another compact state to apply for a multistate license in the new primary state of residence within 60 days. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oregon | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Licensure by endorsement available. Oregon is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | check_circle Recognized | Pennsylvania fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) on July 7, 2025. RNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania residents can apply for a multistate license to practice in other NLC states. Licensure by endorsement is available for those with a single-state license from a non-NLC state or if establishing Pennsylvania as their primary state of residence while holding a multistate license from another state. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | check_circle Recognized | Rhode Island is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, effective January 1, 2024. Nurses with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Rhode Island. Rhode Island residents applying for initial licensure or renewal may be eligible for a multistate license. Licensure by endorsement is available for nurses licensed in non-compact states. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | check_circle Recognized | South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs holding a multi-state license from another compact state can practice in South Carolina. If relocating and establishing residency in South Carolina, nurses must apply for licensure by endorsement within 60 days to receive a South Carolina multistate license. Those who do not meet the uniform licensure requirements for a multistate license may still be eligible for a single-state license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | check_circle Recognized | South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice immediately. Those establishing South Dakota residency must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | check_circle Recognized | Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Tennessee. Nurses licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Texas | check_circle Recognized | Texas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Texas. Nurses relocating to Texas from another compact state must apply for a Texas license by endorsement within 60 days of establishing residency. Nurses licensed in non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Utah | check_circle Recognized | Utah is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs moving from another NLC state must apply for a Utah multistate license within 60 days of establishing Utah as their primary state of residence. Utah allows up to 90 days of continued practice under a nurse's former multistate license while the application is processed. For non-compact states, licensure by endorsement is available for those licensed in another state for at least 1 year. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Vermont | check_circle Recognized | Vermont is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multi-state license from another NLC state can practice in Vermont. Nurses licensed in a non-NLC state can apply for licensure by endorsement, which requires verification of licensure and meeting practice requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Virginia | check_circle Recognized | Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Virginia. Nurses licensed in a non-compact state can apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Washington | check_circle Recognized | Washington is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs with an active multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Washington. Washington residents can apply for a multistate license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | check_circle Recognized | West Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in West Virginia. RNs moving from a non-compact state must apply for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | check_circle Recognized | Wisconsin is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses with a multistate license from another NLC state do not need to apply for licensure by endorsement unless Wisconsin becomes their primary state of residence. For those licensed in non-NLC states, licensure by endorsement is available and requires verification of licensure from the original state of licensure and any current state of licensure, and a criminal background check. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | check_circle Recognized | Wyoming is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs with a multistate license from another NLC state can practice in Wyoming. For those licensed in a non-NLC state or who establish Wyoming residency, licensure by endorsement is required, which involves submitting an application, fees, and license verification from previous states. Official state board arrow_outward |
Registered Nurse reciprocity: common questions
Does a registered nurse license transfer to another state?
Registered Nurse licenses are broadly portable across the US — all 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still requires a state-specific law or business exam. It depends on the destination state — see the state-by-state table above.
Which states accept an out-of-state registered nurse license directly?
40 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, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, 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 registered nurses by endorsement?
10 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, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
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How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-10-03
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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