Nursing License Lookup by State
Board links, compact status, fees, CE requirements, and processing times for all 50 states. Find exactly what you need for your next assignment.
Whether you are applying for a new state license or verifying your current one, this tool gives you instant access to board of nursing information, application fees, processing timelines, compact status, and continuing education requirements for every state.
37 Compact States
13 Non-Compact
50 Showing
AL
Compact Alabama
License Types RN, LPN/LVN
Board Alabama Board of Nursing
Processing Time 3-5 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 24 contact hours per renewal
AK
Non-Compact Alaska
License Types RN, LPN
Board Alaska Board of Nursing
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $250
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 2 of the following: 30 contact hrs, 30 hrs peer review, 320 hrs practice
AZ
Compact Arizona
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
Application Fee $150
Renewal Cycle 4 years
CE Requirements None required for RN renewal
AR
Compact Arkansas
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 15 practice-focused contact hours per renewal
CA
Non-Compact California
License Types RN, LVN
Processing Time 8-16 weeks
Application Fee $150
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal
CO
Compact Colorado
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
Application Fee $98
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; attestation of competency
CT
Non-Compact Connecticut
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $180
Renewal Cycle 1 year
CE Requirements None required
DE
Compact Delaware
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $141
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal
FL
Compact Florida
License Types RN, LPN
Board Florida Board of Nursing
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $110
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 24 contact hours per renewal (incl. 2 hrs prevention of medical errors, 1 hr HIV/AIDS)
GA
Compact Georgia
License Types RN, LPN
Board Georgia Board of Nursing
Processing Time 4-6 weeks
Application Fee $75
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; random audit possible
HI
Non-Compact Hawaii
License Types RN, LPN
Board Hawaii Board of Nursing
Processing Time 6-10 weeks
Application Fee $80
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required
ID
Compact Idaho
License Types RN, LPN
Board Idaho Board of Nursing
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
Application Fee $90
Renewal Cycle 1 year (odd-numbered years)
CE Requirements None required; maintain competency
IL
Non-Compact Illinois
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $50
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 20 contact hours per renewal
IN
Compact Indiana
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $50
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; competency attestation
IA
Compact Iowa
License Types RN, LPN
Board Iowa Board of Nursing
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
Application Fee $99
Renewal Cycle 3 years
CE Requirements 36 contact hours per 3-year renewal (12/year avg)
KS
Compact Kansas
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $75
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal
KY
Compact Kentucky
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-6 weeks
Application Fee $125
Renewal Cycle 1 year (Oct 31)
CE Requirements 14 contact hours per year + 1 hr pediatric abusive head trauma (first renewal)
LA
Compact Louisiana
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 1 year
CE Requirements 15 contact hours per year (5 must be pharmacology for APRNs)
ME
Compact Maine
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $75
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required
MD
Compact Maryland
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 6-10 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required for RN; random audit may require documentation
MA
Non-Compact Massachusetts
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 6-12 weeks
Application Fee $120
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 15 contact hours per renewal
MI
Non-Compact Michigan
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $54
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 25 contact hours per renewal (incl. 2 hrs pain & symptom mgmt, 1 hr implicit bias)
MN
Non-Compact Minnesota
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $105
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 24 contact hours per renewal
MS
Compact Mississippi
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; random audit may require documentation
MO
Compact Missouri
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $55
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required
MT
Compact Montana
License Types RN, LPN
Board Montana Board of Nursing
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 24 contact hours per renewal or certification in specialty
NE
Compact Nebraska
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $123
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 20 contact hours per renewal + 500 hrs practice
NV
Non-Compact Nevada
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal (incl. 4 hrs bioterrorism)
NH
Compact New Hampshire
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $120
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal
NJ
Compact New Jersey
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 6-12 weeks
Application Fee $120
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal
NM
Compact New Mexico
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $110
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal
NY
Non-Compact New York
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 8-16 weeks
Application Fee $143
Renewal Cycle 3 years
CE Requirements 3 contact hours infection control every 4 years (no general CE)
NC
Compact North Carolina
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-6 weeks
Application Fee $75
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; maintain competency; random audit
ND
Compact North Dakota
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
Application Fee $110
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 12 contact hours per renewal
OH
Compact Ohio
License Types RN, LPN
Board Ohio Board of Nursing
Processing Time 4-6 weeks
Application Fee $75
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 24 contact hours per renewal (incl. 1 hr Ohio law/rules)
OK
Compact Oklahoma
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $85
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; maintain competency documentation
OR
Non-Compact Oregon
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $150
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None for RN; maintain competency through practice hours
PA
Compact Pennsylvania
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 6-10 weeks
Application Fee $115
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal
RI
Non-Compact Rhode Island
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $105
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 10 contact hours per renewal
SC
Compact South Carolina
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-6 weeks
Application Fee $65
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours or competency requirements per renewal
SD
Compact South Dakota
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; maintain competency
TN
Compact Tennessee
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $100
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; random audit may require practice documentation
TX
Compact Texas
License Types RN, LVN
Board Texas Board of Nursing
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $67
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 20 contact hours per renewal (incl. 2 hrs nursing jurisprudence)
UT
Compact Utah
License Types RN, LPN
Board Utah Board of Nursing
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
Application Fee $58
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 30 contact hours per renewal + 400 hrs practice
VT
Compact Vermont
License Types RN, LPN
Board Vermont Board of Nursing
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $80
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required
VA
Compact Virginia
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-6 weeks
Application Fee $140
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements RN: maintain competency (self-attestation); LPN: 15 contact hours
WA
Non-Compact Washington
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 4-8 weeks
Application Fee $91
Renewal Cycle 1 year (birthday)
CE Requirements 8 contact hours per renewal
WV
Compact West Virginia
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $50
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 24 contact hours per renewal (12 must be pharmacology)
WI
Compact Wisconsin
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 3-6 weeks
Application Fee $82
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements None required; maintain competency
WY
Compact Wyoming
License Types RN, LPN
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
Application Fee $110
Renewal Cycle 2 years
CE Requirements 20 contact hours per renewal or national certification
How to Use This License Lookup Tool
Use the search bar to find your state, or toggle the compact filter to see only Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member states. You can also use the quick lookup dropdown to jump directly to a specific state. Each card shows the official board of nursing link, license verification page, typical processing times, application fees, renewal cycles, and continuing education requirements.
What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact?
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in all compact states. If your primary state of residence is a compact state, you can work in any other compact state without obtaining an additional license.
Understanding CE Requirements
Continuing education (CE) requirements vary dramatically by state. Some states require no CE at all, while others require up to 30 contact hours per renewal cycle. Several states have specific topic mandates (such as infection control, pain management, or state law/jurisprudence). Always check your state board's website for the most current requirements, as these can change with new legislation.
Tips for Faster License Processing
- Apply online whenever possible — paper applications take longer at most boards
- Have your transcripts and verification forms sent before you submit your application
- Some states offer expedited processing for an additional fee
- Walk-through states (like Missouri, Ohio, and Texas) are known for faster turnaround
- Keep copies of all documents — boards occasionally lose paperwork
Compact vs. Non-Compact: What It Means for Travel Nurses
For travel nurses, the distinction matters significantly. With a compact license from your home state, you can accept assignments in any compact state immediately. For non-compact states, you will need to apply for a separate single-state license, which adds time and cost to your onboarding process.