Applying for Licensure

Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) who live in a compact state and meet the uniform licensure requirements may be eligible for a multistate license. Applying for a multistate license must be done through your board of nursing (BON). Multistate licensure applications are available from your BON's website. This includes applications for:

• License by Exam (new graduates seeking to take NCLEX)
• License by Endorsement (when you need a license in another state; "transferring your license")
• Renewal
• Upgrading/converting a single state license into a multistate/compact license
• License for graduates of an international nursing program

Find a BON Website

Access licensure applications from your BON's website.

Application Questions

License application questions must be directed to your BON. This includes questions related to:

• Application status
• Application fees
• Continuing education (CE) hours
• Criminal background check (CBC), including past criminal history or disciplinary action

Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs)

An applicant for licensure in a state that is part of the NLC will need to meet the following requirements.

ULR Requirements

• Meets the requirements for licensure in the home state (state of residency)
• a. Has graduated from a board-approved education program; or
  b. Has graduated from an international education program (approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and verified by an independent credentials review agency)
• Has passed an English proficiency examination (applies to graduates of an international education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual's native language)
• Has passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN Examination or predecessor exam
• Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license (i.e., without active discipline)
• Has submitted to state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks
• Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law
• Has no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing (determined on a case-by-case basis)
• Is not currently a participant in an alternative program
• Is required to self-disclose current participation in an alternative program
• Has a valid United States Social Security number