If you’re a registered nurse planning to move, accept a job in another state, or expand your practice, understanding licensure by endorsement is essential. It’s the process most U.S. state boards use to verify and accept an existing nursing license from another jurisdiction. Get it right and you’ll avoid costly delays, missed shifts, and licensing headaches.

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• Licensure by endorsement = applying to a new state to have your existing RN license accepted.
• Some states are in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) If your primary residence is in an NLC state and you meet the criteria, you may not need endorsement at all.
• Requirements, fees, and timelines vary by state – check the destination state board of nursing first.

Licensure by endorsement, sometimes called reciprocity, is the formal application you submit to a state board of nursing when you already hold an active RN license in another U.S. state, territory, or country (where accepted). The board verifies your credentials, criminal background checks, and education before issuing a new license.

• State (single-state) license: Ties practice to one state. If you move to another state, you typically apply for endorsement.
• Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) multistate license: Lets eligible nurses practice in participating states without separate endorsement. If your new primary residence is an NLC state and you qualify, you may get continued practice privileges without a full endorsement application.

Tip: Before you move, check whether both your current and destination states participate in the NLC and confirm your Primary State of Residence rules.

Most boards require some or all of the following:

• Completed endorsement application and fees.
• Verification of active licensure from the state(s) where you currently hold a license (often via Nursys or direct board verification).
• Proof of NCLEX-RN passage (or equivalent accepted exam).
• Graduation from an approved nursing program (state-dependent documentation).
• Background checks and fingerprints (FBI/state-level).
• Additional coursework in some states (e.g., infection control, child abuse reporting, implicit bias training).

These requirements are common across many states but always confirm specifics on the state board website before you apply.

• Confirm if endorsement is necessary. Is the destination state an NLC member and will you qualify for multistate privileges? If yes, you may not need endorsement.
• Create an account on the destination state board’s licensure portal (many states use online systems).
• Request verification of your current license(s) from all issuing boards (Nursys/official verification).
• Complete required forms (education verification, application, declarations).
• Schedule fingerprints/background check (FBI/state as required).
• Pay fees (application, fingerprint, verification).
• Track application contact the board only if processing exceeds published timeframes.

Processing varies widely: some boards take a few weeks, others several months. Delays commonly stem from missing documentation, slow verification from the home state, or outstanding background checks. Submit complete documentation and request electronic verifications (Nursys) to speed things up.

• Assuming all states accept the same documentation. Fix: read the destination BON checklist and follow it exactly.
• Waiting until after the move to apply. Fix: start the endorsement process before you move if possible.
• Not verifying whether the NLC applies. Fix: check NLC membership and Primary State of Residence rules.
• Skipping fingerprint guidance. Fix: schedule fingerprints early—some vendors have long wait times.

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