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licensure

How to Get a Nursing License in a New State (Fast Track)

Updated: 2026-02-07 · 8 min read

Introduction

A great travel nursing assignment is sitting on the board, the pay is right, the location is perfect — and you do not have a license in that state. This is one of the most common frustrations in travel nursing. The endorsement process varies wildly depending on where you are applying. Some states can have you licensed and working within a few days. Others will have you waiting three months or longer. This guide walks you through the endorsement process step by step, highlights the fastest options, and shows you how to avoid the mistakes that cause costly delays.

License Endorsement vs. New License

When you already hold an active nursing license in one state and want to practice in another, you apply for endorsement — not a brand-new license. Endorsement is the process of verifying your existing credentials and authorizing you to practice under the new state’s nursing practice act.

Endorsement differs from an initial license application in a few important ways:

  • You do not need to retake the NCLEX. Every state accepts your original NCLEX passing score for endorsement purposes.
  • Your nursing education is already verified. Most states accept your original program approval and transcripts without re-evaluation.
  • The process is generally faster than an initial application, though speeds vary dramatically by state.

Endorsement is also different from a compact license. If you hold a compact (multistate) license, you can practice in any compact state without endorsement. Endorsement is what you need for non-compact states or when you do not qualify for a multistate license. Understanding the difference between these two paths — and how walk-through states vs. compact states fit into the picture — helps you build an efficient licensing strategy.

Step-by-Step Endorsement Process

While every state has its own specific requirements, the general endorsement process follows these steps:

Step 1: Research the Target State’s Requirements

Visit the state board of nursing website for the state where you want to work. Look for the endorsement application (sometimes called “licensure by endorsement” or “reciprocity”). Note every requirement, fee, and supplemental document. You can also use our license lookup tool to find direct links to each state’s board.

Step 2: Order License Verification Early

This is the step most nurses procrastinate on, and it causes the most delays. You need official verification of your current license sent to the new state’s board. The fastest method is through Nursys, the national nurse licensure verification database operated by the NCSBN. Most states participate in Nursys, and verification can be completed electronically, often within 24 to 48 hours.

If your licensing state does not participate in Nursys, you will need to request verification directly from that state’s board of nursing, which can take one to four weeks. Order this before you do anything else.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

Pull together all the paperwork the target state requires. The specific list varies, but the common items are covered in the checklist section below.

Step 4: Submit the Application and Fees

Complete the application carefully. Most states have moved to online applications. Pay the application fee, which ranges from $50 to $400 depending on the state. Double-check every field before submitting — incomplete or incorrect applications are the number one cause of processing delays.

Step 5: Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check

Nearly every state requires a criminal background check through fingerprinting. Some accept electronic fingerprinting through services like IdentoGO or Fieldprint. Others require ink-on-card fingerprints mailed to the FBI. Schedule your fingerprinting appointment the same day you submit your application to keep things moving in parallel.

Step 6: Meet State-Specific Requirements

Some states require a jurisprudence exam (a test on that state’s nursing practice act and regulations), specific continuing education hours, or other prerequisites. Texas, for example, requires a jurisprudence exam. New York has specific infection control coursework requirements. Complete these requirements before or immediately after submitting your application.

Step 7: Track and Verify

After submission, monitor your application status through the board’s online portal. Once approved, verify your new license is showing as active on the state board’s license lookup page before starting any assignment.

Required Documents Checklist

Keep these documents ready in a single folder — physical and digital — so you can apply to any state on short notice:

  • License verification from your current state (Nursys preferred)
  • Official nursing school transcripts sent directly from your program
  • Fingerprint cards or electronic fingerprint receipt (FBI and state-level)
  • Passport-style photograph (required by some states)
  • Proof of continuing education credits if the target state requires them for endorsement
  • Social Security number verification
  • Application fee payment (credit card, money order, or check depending on the state)
  • Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
  • Jurisprudence exam completion certificate (if required by the target state)

Pro tip: order two to three extra sets of official transcripts from your nursing program and keep them sealed. Having these on hand saves a week or more when you need to apply to a new state on short notice.

Expedited and Fast-Track Options

Not all licensing timelines are created equal. Here is how to get licensed as fast as possible:

Walk-through states process endorsement applications in person, often issuing your license the same day or within a few business days. States like Arizona, Texas, and Missouri have historically offered rapid processing. See our detailed breakdown of walk-through states vs. compact states for the full list.

Temporary practice permits (TPPs) are offered by many states and allow you to start working while your full endorsement is being processed. States like California and New York offer TPPs that can bridge the gap during their longer processing windows. The permit typically requires a complete application to be on file and may have restrictions on supervision or duration.

Expedited processing fees are available in some states. Paying an additional fee — usually $50 to $150 on top of the standard application fee — bumps your application to the front of the queue. Not every state offers this, but always ask.

Work with your staffing agency. Good agencies have compliance teams that handle licensing regularly. They know which states have current backlogs, which boards respond to follow-up calls, and how to assemble the cleanest possible application. Let them help — it is part of the service you are paying for through your contract rate.

California has some of the longest processing times in the country — expect 8 to 16 weeks for endorsement. Apply at least three months before your desired start date. California does offer an interim practice permit once your application is complete and fingerprints are processed. California is not a compact state, so every travel nurse working there needs an individual California license.

New York requires completion of an infection control course and a child abuse recognition course before licensure. Processing typically takes 6 to 12 weeks. New York offers a limited permit that allows supervised practice while your endorsement is pending. Like California, New York is not a compact state.

Texas is a compact state, so if you already hold a multistate license from another compact state, you can work there without endorsement. If you need a Texas-specific license, the state requires a jurisprudence exam and processes endorsements in roughly 2 to 4 weeks. Texas is also considered a walk-through state for in-person applications.

Florida is a compact state with efficient processing, typically 2 to 4 weeks. Florida requires a background check but has straightforward endorsement requirements. It is one of the smoother states to get licensed in.

Massachusetts is not a compact state and has some unique requirements, including mandatory continuing education in specific topics. Processing times run 4 to 8 weeks. Plan ahead for Massachusetts assignments.

For detailed processing times across all 50 states, see our nursing license timeline by state.

Common Mistakes That Delay Your License

These are the errors that compliance coordinators see repeatedly. Avoid all of them:

  1. Submitting an incomplete application. Missing a single document or leaving one field blank can push your application to the back of the review queue. Triple-check before hitting submit.

  2. Not ordering license verification early enough. If your state does not participate in Nursys, manual verification can take weeks. Order this the moment you know you want to apply.

  3. Fingerprinting errors. Smudged ink prints get rejected. Electronic fingerprinting reduces this risk significantly. If your state accepts electronic fingerprints, use them.

  4. Expired background checks. Most background check results are valid for 90 days to one year. If your fingerprints expire before your application is processed, you will need to redo them.

  5. Submitting the wrong application type. Make sure you are applying for endorsement, not initial licensure or reinstatement. Using the wrong form creates confusion and delays.

  6. Not following up. If you have not received any communication two to three weeks after applying, call the board of nursing. Sometimes applications get stuck in administrative limbo, and a phone call resolves it.

  7. Ignoring state-specific prerequisites. If a state requires a jurisprudence exam or specific CE, complete it before you apply or immediately after. Do not wait for the board to tell you it is missing.

Managing Multiple State Licenses

As a travel nurse, you will likely hold licenses in multiple states simultaneously. Managing them requires organization:

Track every renewal date. Create a spreadsheet or use a digital calendar with reminders set 90 days before each license expires. Missing a renewal means your license lapses, and reactivation often costs more and takes longer than a simple renewal.

Understand CE requirements for each state. Different states require different numbers of CE hours and sometimes specific topics. The most efficient approach is to select CE courses that satisfy requirements in multiple states at once. ANCC-accredited courses are accepted in the most states.

Decide which licenses to maintain. Not every state license is worth renewing. If you do not plan to return to a state for several years, it may make more financial sense to let the license lapse and re-endorse later. Calculate the renewal fees plus CE costs against the likelihood of needing that license.

Keep digital copies of everything. Store copies of all your licenses, CE certificates, background check results, and application confirmations in a cloud-based folder. When you need to apply to a new state or renew an existing license, everything is accessible from anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a nursing license in a new state?

Processing times vary dramatically by state, ranging from same-day approval in walk-through states like Arizona and Missouri to eight to sixteen weeks in slow-processing states like California. Most states fall in the two to six week range for endorsement when a complete application is submitted. The single most important factor in your control is submitting a complete, error-free application on the first attempt. For detailed timelines by state, see our nursing license timeline guide.

Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in another state?

No, you do not need to retake the NCLEX. Every state accepts your original NCLEX passing score for endorsement purposes, regardless of when or where you took it. The endorsement process verifies your existing credentials and authorizes you to practice under the new state’s nursing practice act. You will need to provide license verification from your current state, typically through the Nursys electronic verification system.

What is a temporary practice permit and how do I get one?

A temporary practice permit allows you to start working in a state while your full endorsement application is being processed. Many states offer these permits, including California and New York, which have some of the longest processing times. The permit typically requires that you have submitted a complete application and completed fingerprinting. Requirements and restrictions vary by state, so ask the board of nursing about availability when you submit your application.

How much does it cost to get a nursing license in a new state?

Application fees for license endorsement range from fifty to four hundred dollars depending on the state, with most falling between seventy-five and two hundred dollars. Additional costs include Nursys license verification fees, fingerprinting and background check fees, and any state-specific requirements like jurisprudence exams or CE courses. The total cost per state typically runs one hundred fifty to four hundred dollars including all fees. A compact license, by comparison, covers forty-plus states for a single license fee.

Can my travel nursing agency help with licensing?

Yes, good agencies have compliance teams that handle licensing applications regularly and can be a significant resource. They know which states have current processing backlogs, which boards respond to follow-up calls, and how to assemble clean applications that avoid common delay-causing mistakes. Let them help because it is part of the service you are paying for through your contract rate. However, do not rely on them exclusively. Stay engaged in the process and verify requirements directly with the state board.

Key Takeaways

  • Start the endorsement process as early as possible — ideally weeks or months before your target start date, depending on the state.
  • Order license verification through Nursys first. It is the single most effective way to prevent delays.
  • Check state-specific requirements before applying. Jurisprudence exams, CE hours, and mandatory courses vary by state.
  • Ask about temporary practice permits if processing times are long. Many states will let you start working while your endorsement is pending.
  • Keep a master folder of documents ready to go so you can apply to any state on short notice.
  • Walk-through states can issue licenses in as little as one to three business days — use them to your advantage.
  • Your staffing agency’s compliance team is a resource. Use them.

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