Nursing licences in the United States are issued by each state's board of nursing. When you accept a job in a different state, you need a licence that lets you practise there before your first shift. There are two main routes.
Route 1: a multistate (compact) licence
If your home state belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact and you hold a multistate licence there, you can usually practise in any other compact state without a new licence. Your home state is the state where you legally live, not where you work.
- If you move your permanent home to another compact state, you must apply for a multistate licence in your new home state. You can normally keep working on your old licence while that application is processed, within the time limit set by the compact.
- A single-state licence from a compact state does not give you multistate privileges. Check which kind you hold on your board's licence lookup.
Route 2: licensure by endorsement
If your new state is not in the compact, or your licence is single-state, you apply to the new state's board for licensure by endorsement. Typical steps:
- Submit an online application and fee to the new state's board of nursing.
- Verify your existing licence through Nursys or your current board.
- Complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check if the state requires it.
- Provide transcripts or other documents the board asks for.
Processing times vary from a few days to several weeks. Some states issue a temporary licence so you can start work while the full application is completed.
What this means for your job search
Every job on this site lists the licence it needs. If a role is in a compact state and you already hold a multistate licence, you can often start sooner. If you need endorsement, tell your recruiter early so the start date reflects the board's timeline.
Licensing rules change. Always confirm the current requirements with the state board of nursing and at nursecompact.com before you resign from your current job.