Nursing Boards


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This state nursing board list represents the most current information available anywhere online, including the board websites themselves. Verifying phone calls or visits, the applications for endorsement, and recent licensure experiences when available were used in completing this resource. That said, this is only intended to be a quick reference to make fast assignment decisions. Verify all information with the board. The Association is not responsible for any errors.

This list is intended as a baseline for the average U.S. trained nurse with a clear criminal record who already holds a valid license and wishes to obtain another state license via reciprocity. Reciprocity is not automatic just because you hold another valid state license, and with certain states that require transcripts, your educational background may be critical.

Thanks for using this board list! PanTravelers has made this resource available freely for all registered members so that any traveler can use it. Please support the Association's mission by becoming a paid member.

Important points

  • Check with the board concerned before making important decisions. This list is just a quick reference guide and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
  • The basic assumptions of this list assume that you are holding at least one valid state license and are either applying for licensure by endorsement (reciprocity) for a new and different state license, or are renewing an active or lapsed state license. For lapsed state licenses, the assumption for this list is that it is has been expired for a minimum of two years. Some states have additional requirements when expired over 5 years (not always captured here).
  • The addresses provided here are physical addresses for visiting the board in person. They may not be suitable for mailing documents.
  • Your individual circumstances may change your eligibility for a particular license and the estimated time frames: the most common issues that will change the time significantly are background check delays (often related to unreadable paper fingerprint cards), or a felony/misdemeanor conviction.

  • Longer expiration times for temp licenses or temps that can be extended can indicate a higher difficulty level in obtaining a permanent license or the general hassle involved.

  • When applying for licensure by endorsement, all boards accept Nursys verification of other state licenses. However, there are a few boards left that do not report licensee status to Nursys and applicants will have to obtain paper verification for: AL, CA, CT, GA, HA, IL, KS, OK, and PA if needed. That usually adds a good bit of time to get a new license for boards that require all licenses to be verified, or if one of those states is your original state of licensure.
  • Generally, the fingerprint cost listed is just for the state to run the background check. The cost of collecting the fingerprints is up to you and your local law enforcement agency or private vendor and will vary from zero to as much as $75.

  • If a paper fingerprint card is required, we recommend finding a LiveScan type provider to "roll" your prints electronically - and print that to the card. The results are usually much better and stand less chance of being rejected and redone - a very common occurrence that can cause long delays.

    • Some board websites say that they require that you get fingerprint cards directly from them. Often this is not necessarily true (many boards use the same FBI form FD-258 available from anyone who "rolls" prints including local police) and when time is critical, here is what you can do: Ask the board for their "ORI" number and print it carefully on the fingerprint card in the place provided (also ask if it is OK to do so of course). In many states, the cards are not even returned to the board, but go directly to the state police or another vendor. The only difference is that the board supplied card is stamped with the ORI number to reduce errors.
  • Click on the state name in a listing (not the abbreviation) to visit the state nursing board website on a new page.



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Alabama

Phone: (334) 293-5200  (800) 656-5318

Walk in address: 770 Washington Ave., Montgomery AL 36104            

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal)

Temporary license time: 3 - 5 days.

Temporary good for: 90 days renewable

Permanent license time: 6 - 8 weeks

Contact hours required: 24 for permanent, temp issued without CEUs 

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $85

Temporary cost: $54

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes for temporary license (notarized copy of current license)

Renewal cost: $75

Time to renew expired license: 2 - 3 days with reactivation application and CEUs.

Cost to renew expired license: $225

Contact hours required for renewal: 24 

 

Alaska

Phone: (907) 269-8161

Walk in address: 550 W. 7th Avenue, Anchorage AK 99501

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes, and can pick up temp in person when issued. Same with expired license.

Temporary license time: 2 weeks

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 6 - 8 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original and current

License cost: $225

Temporary cost: $50

Prints required/cost: yes/$59

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $175

Time to renew expired license: 2 - 3 days with reactivation application and CEUs, must be mailed.

Cost to renew expired license: $225 plus new application and new photo and verifications of any licenses held since last in AK. Expired over one year requires new background check with fingerprints $59 and proof of 320 hours employment in last five years, more conditions apply if expired over 5 years.

Contact hours required for renewal: 30


Arizona  

Phone number: (602) 771-7800

Walk in address: 4747 North 7th Street, Phoenix AZ 85014

Compact state: yes

Walk through: partial: walk-in required for "emergency" temp license within 48 hours, and temp license may be picked up in person. Requires employer letter with start date within 7 days.

Walk in application to board office: Yes, and must be walked in if you want a temp within 48 hours. Required are application, fees, fingerprint card, letter from employer stating a start date within 7 days. Not an available option if you have already started process by mail or online.

Otherwise a non-emergency temp takes 2 weeks after you return fingerprint card to board (they do not wait for background results before issuing temp.

Temporary license time: 48 hours or 1 - 2 weeks.

Temporary good for: 6 months renewable

Permanent license time: 1 - 2 months

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $150

Temporary cost: $50

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$50. Card must be mailed to you or picked up in person.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $160 online plus $3 credit card fee, $160 paper renewal. 4 days or 29 days estimated renewal time respectively.

Time to renew expired license: May submit online or in office (on their computer). If done in office, a verification letter can be issued immediately. Several weeks for permanent license issue.

Cost to renew expired license: same as on time renewal if you hadn't worked in AZ during expiration period.

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Arkansas  

Phone number: (501) 686-2700

Walk in address: 1123 South University,  Little Rock AR 72204

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: No, online application only. 

Temporary license time: "a few days only", licenses including temps are online only, no paper copies. Fingerprint submission not required for temp to be issued.

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 6 weeks

Contact hours required: no

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $100

Temporary cost: $25

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$38.50, must use card provided by the board. If in Little Rock, state police will roll prints free.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $75

Time to renew expired license: can be done online and the license will be mailed the next day. 20 CEUs required instead of the 15 for regular renewals.

Cost to renew expired license: $85 if license was placed on inactive status, $175 if lapsed on regular status.

Contact hours required to renew: 15 or 20

 

Phone number: (916) 322-3350

  • Phone hours are 8 to 5. Best time to call is 4 to 5 pm except Monday/Tuesday. (call volume is 1,200 attempted calls per day, and only 400 to 600 get answered)

Walk in address: 1747 North Market Boulevard, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95834

Application notes: California is not a walk-through state any longer but it is possible to get a temp in as little as little as 24 to 48 hours - do you feel lucky? If you are in Sacramento and can verify an active license on Nursys, get your fingerprints done at a Livescan location and go immediately to the board and submit your application and ask the front desk person to check your Livescan status. If it was entered properly, the board can see it and push the button on giving you a temp and you are done! Online status then takes 24 to 48 hours to update (the board has no direct control). If you have a start date within 5 to 10 days, this is your best shot at getting it done on time.

If you can visit California anywhere, doing the Livescan versus mailing in fingerprint cards will still speed the process. If you have a confirmed assignment with a start date soon and cannot get to Sacramento, you can do a different version of the process above by calling the board after you are sure your application has been received and ask if your Livescan and application status is OK to activate the temp. Then 24 to 48 hours later, your temp status should update online. As a last resort only if your need is urgent (please) you can call the endorsement specialist Ron Chavez at 916-574-7635 if you cannot get through the switchboard main number.

  • Transcripts are not needed for the temp, but an active license must be verified.
  • As implied above, the background check results does not need to be in, but the DOJ must have fingerprints scanned first before a temp is issued.
  • Sending cards versus Livescan has several potential delays. The board only sends cards to the DOJ perhaps twice a week, and if the DOJ is backed up, scanning the cards may take some time. Livescan updates the DOJ instantly when done correctly allowing a temp to be issued. If you go the fingerprint card route, you can obtain the standard FD-258 card from any police department rather than waiting for the board to send you a card - which can potentially knock a month off the total time.

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: after 24 - 48 hours (best case - see notes above) after submitting Livescan prints, 2 weeks if sending readable prints by mail.

Temporary good for: 6 months renewable

Permanent license time: 1 - 6 months (highly variable historically)

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: any active 

License cost: $100

Temporary cost: $50

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$49 if submitting a card; Livescan digital prints cost $10 to $79 per location plus $49 for the background check.

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $140

Time to renew expired license: same day in person (you can request an immediate letter that will allow practice) or up to 14 days online - we recommend a call or visit if you have a start date of less than 14 days, otherwise 14 days and up by mail. If license is expired over 8 years, you must file for reactivation and it will take longer.

Cost to renew expired license: $205

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

Phone number: (303) 894-2430

Walk in address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver CO 80202

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal).

Temporary license time: 2 weeks

Temporary good for: 4 months

Permanent license time: 3 - 4 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $43

Temporary cost: nothing additional

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $43

Time to renew expired license: about 2 weeks

Cost to renew expired license: $128

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Phone number: (860) 509-7624 main (860) 509-8000 (860) 509-7565 back door numbers   

Walk in address: 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT O6134

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, and can pick up temp.

Temporary license time: 5 days, need photocopy of active license

Temporary good for: 120 days

Permanent license time: 5 - 10 days after everything received

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: all licenses ever held

License cost: $180

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $100

Time to renew expired license: 5 business days for temp after complete application and copy of current license, summary of work history, and letter received directly from last employer (agency OK).  

Cost to renew expired license: $180

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Delaware  

Phone number: (302) 744-4500

Walk in address: 861 Silver Lake Blvd, Cannon Bldg Suite 203, Dover DE 19904

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal).

Temporary license time: 7-10 business days from receipt, temp is mailed only. Board must have background check in hand. Must submit photocopy of job offer (contract).

Temporary good for: 90 days, renewable

Permanent license time: 4-6 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $124

Temporary cost: $35

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$69, all fingerprint cards accepted.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $100

Time to renew expired license: 7 - 10 business days from receipt, temp is mailed only. Need job offer in writing for temp.

Cost to renew expired license: $186, plus new background check of $69.

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

District of Columbia   

Phone number: (877) 672-2174

(202) 724-8102 Endorsement specialist

Walk in address: 899 North Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Compact state: no

Walk through: no.

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: 7-10 days. Online verification for employer, no paper copy. Must have background check in, and at least one of the two checks  (either state or federal) received at board. Once your application is online, call the board to request a temp (no online or application instructions).

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: 2-6 weeks

Contact hours required: no

Licenses to verify: original and most current (if different)

License cost: $230

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$50 base cost (some states higher). You can do livescan if available, or send in prints to be scanned (both at private contractor in most states). Background check is federal plus your state of residency.

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $145

Time to renew expired license: immediate if less than 60 days expired. 2-6 weeks over 60 days.

Cost to renew expired license: $230. New background check if over 60 days expired.

Contact hours required to renew: 24

 
 

Florida   

Phone number: (850) 245-4125

Walk in address: 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Room 120, Tallahassee FL 32399

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: online only

Temporary license time: no temp

Temporary good for: no temp

Permanent license time: 30 days.

Contact hours required: 2 on med errors

Licenses to verify: original and active (if original is not active)

License cost: $175 credit card only

Temporary cost: no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: Yes/~$50-$80 (depends on state of residency and vendor). Livescan (can be done in any state) or fingerprint cards to private vendor.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $80 (may take 2 to 3 weeks)

Time to renew expired license: may take 2 to 3 weeks. If over 4 years, requires a new application.

Cost to renew expired license: $135 late renewal,  $200 over 30 days.

Contact hours required to renew: 24 (26 every third renewal), initial renewal requires 1 CEU on HIV/AIDS.

 
 

Georgia   

Phone number: (478) 207-2440

Walk in address: 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon 31217

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal)

Temporary license time: no temp available

Permanent license time: 15-25 business days, requires notarized statements from former employers covering at least 500 hours.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original and current (if original is not current)

License cost: $60

Temporary cost: no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: yes, must be done in state. $53

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $65

Time to renew expired license: 15 - 25 business days "probably less"

Cost to renew expired license: $90

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Hawaii  

Phone number: (808) 586-3000

Walk in address: 335 Merchant Street, King Kalakaua Bldg 3rd floor, Honolulu HA 96813

Compact state: no

Walk through: same day if no issues with application: requires original hospital signed form.

Walk in application to board office: Yes, and can pick up temp or renewal in person.

Temporary license time: 3-5 business days. Requires copy of current license and verification of employment form from Hawaii employer, temp only good at that employer.

Temporary good for: 3 months

Permanent license time: 10-12 days

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $180 odd numbered year, or $135 even numbered year

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $125 online

Time to renew expired license: law requires applying from scratch if expired for more than two years so same time as original licensure by endorsement.

Cost to renew expired license: Same as for new license.

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Idaho   

Phone number: (208) 334-3110

Walk in address: 280 North 8th Street, Suite 210, Boise ID 83702

Compact state: yes

Walk through: yes

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: immediate in person (on receipt of completed application). Requires evidence of current licensure.

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: Couple days when complete: background check can require 3 to 4 weeks, also requires professional reference sent directly from referee: faxed or mailed.

Contact hours required: no

Licenses to verify: original, or if any other state license ever held that verifies through Nursys, that license must be used instead, even if expired.

License cost: $110

Temporary cost: $25

Fingerprints required/cost: board supplied fingerprint cards only/$34/$42 after 6/30/2013

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $90

Time to renew expired license: Immediate temp available with another current license.

Cost to renew expired license: $125 (over 1 year expired requires reinstatement application plus new background check, and fee for immediate temp if wanted).

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Illinois

Phone number: (800) 560-6420  (312) 814-2715 (much improved time to get through from prior years)

Walk in address: 100 West Randolph, St James R Thompson Center Suite 9-300, Chicago IL 60601

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal).

Temporary license time: 14 business days, requires photostats of all current licenses, and fingerprints must have been done (sign a form stating that).

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 4-5 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original and all licenses with held that were active in last 5 years.

License cost: $50

Temporary cost: $25

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$36.50  Livescan in Illinois or card sent to Illinois State Police using their card them the board.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no, but a form sent to your nursing school must be done.

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $60

Time to renew expired license: walk though for good standing letter that will let you practice, otherwise two weeks.

Cost to renew expired license: Over five years: $125 plus new fingerprints, plus temp. Yes, more than new license, supposed to cover years delinquent.

Contact hours required to renew: 20

 
 

Indiana  

Phone number: (317) 234-2043

Walk in address: 402 W. Washington Street, Room W072, Indianapolis IN 46204

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: 1 to 2 weeks after background check received at board

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: up to 7 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: all licenses ever held

License cost: $50

Temporary cost: $10

Fingerprints required/cost:yes/$39.45 Livescan in state, card out of state (will add 1 to 2 weeks time). Fingerprints may not be taken until application received by board and email sent to applicant.

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: If original licensing state does not verify education, then yes.

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $50

Time to renew expired license: immediate online if within 18 months, otherwise 1 to 2 weeks via mail

Cost to renew expired license: $100

Contact hours required to renew (only after lapse): 24

 
 

Iowa  

Phone number: (515) 281-3255

Walk in address: 400 S.W. 8th Street, Riverpoint Business Park Suite B, Des Moines IA 50309

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license/temp must be mailed (including renewal).

Temporary license time: 3 - 5 days after license verified.

Temporary good for: 30 days

Permanent license time: 7 - 10 days after file complete.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $169

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/included: Use local fingerprint cards x 2.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $99

Time to renew expired license: 3 -5 days after receipt of application including fingerprint cards times 2, must be mailed. Fee includes background check.

Cost to renew expired license: $225

Contact hours required to renew: 12

 
 

Kansas

Phone number: (785) 296-4929

Walk in address: 900 SW Jackson Street, Landon State Office Bldg Suite 1051, Topeka KS 66612

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal)

Temporary license time: 10 business days

Temporary good for: 120 days

Permanent license time: 10 days after complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $75

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$50: cards done at any law enforcement agency OK, may be rolled at board in person for an additional $7.50 fee.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $60

Time required to renew expired license: 10 business days

Cost to renew expired license: $70, plus $25 for temp if needed.

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

Phone number: (502) 429-3300

Walk in address: 312 Whittington Pky, Suite 300, Louisville KY 40222

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal)

Temporary license time: 14 days from complete application, including receipt of transcripts if a CA graduate. Also requires verification of your original license.

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 4 - 8 weeks

Contact hours required: 2 HIV/AIDS for perm, and $9 jurisprudence exam for temp/perm.

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $150 online plus $9 jurisprudence exam. Additional $40 for paper application (must be mailed to you).

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$16.50

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes if original state is CA, CT, GA, IL, KS, PA, or WA. CA graduates only: board must receive transcripts before issuing a temp.

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $50

Time to renew expired license: 14 days

Cost to renew expired license: $120 plus new fingerprints.

Contact hours required to renew: 14 (more if expired over a year, or employed hours verified)

 
 

Phone number: (225) 755-7500

Walk in address: 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge LA 70810

Compact state: no

Walk through: requires employment offer, either Nursys verification of any license, or notarized copy of any license (recommend notarize out of state for lower cost) plus photo ID, and Livescan at board (extra $10).

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: same day to 10 working days

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: over 60 days

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original plus last state worked (honor system). If LVN/LPN license ever held, the original state license must also be verified.

Other: must verify last 6 years of employment, or last three employers with employer forms.

License cost: $100

Temporary cost: $50

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$42.50

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes (significantly more expensive if done in LA than other states)

Renewal cost: $80

Time to renew expired license: 10 working days

Cost to renew expired license: $100 plus new prints if over 5 years expired.

Contact hours required to renew: 5

 
 

Maine   

Phone number: (207) 287-1133

Walk in address: 161 Capitol Street, Augusta ME O4333

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: can be expedited by overnight mail or walking in application with letter stating assignment start date, employer name and phone number - usually can be done by Friday before you start.

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: 90 days

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $75

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: generally no. Yes if original state does not provide education info on verification form , or if LPN to RN transition program used.

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $75

Time to renew expired license: still walk through, status updated same day online

Cost to renew expired license: $75 if it was on inactive status (free before license expires), $10 late fee if lapsed - no time limit on reactivation.

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Phone number: (410) 585-1900

Walk in address: 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore MD 21215

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: 2 - 3 days, available online - fingerprints first though

Temporary good for: 90 days, can be extended.

Permanent license time: 4 - 6 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $100

Temporary cost: $40

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$57 Can be done Livescan next to board, or cards out of state

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $69 + new prints

Time to renew expired license: paper application must be mailed if over one year expired, can be dropped off and do the LiveScan nearby = then five business days before license activated.

Cost to renew expired license: $71 + new prints 

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Phone number: (617) 973-0900  800-414-0168

Walk in address: 239 Causeway Street, Suite 500 5th floor, Boston MA O2114

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: no - third party processor

Temporary license time: no temp

Temporary good for: no temp

Permanent license time: 21 days after everything received by third party vendor.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: all licenses ever held

License cost: $275

Temporary cost: no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $120

Time to renew expired license: can walk through

Cost to renew expired license: $177

Contact hours required to renew: 15

 
 

Phone number: (517) 335-0918

Walk in address: 611 W. Ottawa, Lansing MI 48933

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but why bother?

Temporary license time: 4 - 8 weeks processing and must first verify an active license. If all your licenses are in Nursys verified states, don't bother with the temp - the perm will take the same time. If you have held a license in AL, CA, CT, GA, HA, IL, KS, OK, or PA, the temp may pay off, but there is a requirement to practice under supervision of fully licensed nurse until full license obtained. That may not fly with temporary assignments, only staff jobs.

Temporary good for: 1 year

Permanent license time: 7 - 10 days when complete, they state 6 - 8 weeks processing total

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: any permanent license ever held (only one)

License cost: $54

Temporary cost: $10

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$60 (average cost)

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $54

Time to renew expired license: 6 - 8 weeks! requires "relicensing" including a license verification and a background check if expired over 3 years.

Cost to renew expired license: $74 

Contact hours required to renew: 25

 
 

Phone number: (612) 617-2270

Walk in address: 2829 University Ave SE, Suite 200, Minneapolis MN 55414

Compact state: no, however border state licenses can be used for fee of $50: IA, ND, SD, WI.

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, and can pick up temp or renewal in person.

Temporary license time: 3 - 5 days, need copy of a current license.

Temporary good for: 1 year

Permanent license time: 2 - 3 days when complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original and current (if original is not current)

License cost: $115.50

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $93.50

Time to renew expired license: 2 -3 days processing, need letter from last employer, license verification, and application.

Cost to renew expired license: $115.50

Contact hours required to renew: 24

 
 

Phone number: (601) 664-9303

Walk in address: 1080 River Oaks Dr, Flowood MS 39232

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, and can pick up temp or renewal in person.

Temporary license time: 4- 5 days with copy of current license

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: 5 -7 days after complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original plus current (if original not current).

License cost: $100

Temporary cost: $25

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $100

Time to renew expired license: 4 -5 days, just an application needed

Cost to renew expired license: $100 ($75 if inactive status)

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Phone number: (573) 751-0681

Walk in address: 3605 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65102

Compact state: no

Walk through: yes, need copy of current license

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: same day

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 2 - 3 weeks when complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $55

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$44.80 

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $60

Time to renew expired license: Can walk through

Cost to renew expired license: $110

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Montana  

Phone number: (406) 841-2300 (unconfirmed) (406) 841-2397 (406) 841-2345 licensing specialists

Walk in address: 301 S. Park, Suite 401, Helena, 59260

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes, and can pick up temp.

Temporary license time: 2 -3 days after licenses have been verified.

Temporary good for: 90 days: requires supervised practice and the signature of supervising nurse.

Permanent license time: 2 - 3 days when complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original plus all licenses active in last two years.

License cost: $200

Temporary cost: $25

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no, unless original state does not provide proof of eduction with license verification.

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $100

Time to renew expired license: same as for a new license. Verifications needed again.

Cost to renew expired license: $200

Contact hours required to renew: 24

 
 

Phone number: (402) 471-4376

Walk in address: 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln NE 68509

Compact state: yes

Walk through: yes, need notarized copy of active license.

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: same day

Temporary good for: 60 days

Permanent license time: when file complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $123

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes for temp

Renewal cost: $123

Time to renew expired license: walk through

Cost to renew expired license: $158 and reinstatement application

Contact hours required to renew: 20

 
 

Nevada  

Phone number: Las Vegas: (702) 486-5800, (888) 590-6726  Reno: (775) 687-7770 

Walk in address: 2500 W. Sahara Ave, Suite 207, Las Vegas NV 89102

Walk in address: 5011 Meadowood Mall Way, Suite 300, Reno NV 89502

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: one week, status then posted online - prints not needed for temp

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 2 - 4 months

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original

License cost: $105

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$50 Livescan in NV, $51.25 card submission

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $100

Time to renew expired license: walk through, status updated same day online.

Cost to renew expired license: $200 ($100 if license status was changed to inactive before expiring)

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

Phone number: (603) 271-2323

Walk in address: 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 16, Concord NH O3301

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: 3 - 5 days if background check already done, and applying in person with a current license. No paper license issued, online only.

Temporary good for: 120 days

Permanent license time: 3 - 5 days when complete with verifications and background check.

Contact hours required: 30

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $120

Temporary cost: $20

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$51.50

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $100

Time to renew expired license: 3 - 5 days with reactivation application and CEUs. Nothing special needed.

Cost to renew expired license: $120

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

Phone number: (973) 504-6430

Walk in address: 124 Halsey Street, 6th floor, Newark NJ 07102

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: no temp

Temporary good for: no temp

Permanent license time: 4 - 8 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: all licenses ever held

License cost: $200

Temporary cost: no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$63.55 cards, $67.50 Livescan in NJ

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $120

Time to renew expired license: 4- 6 weeks

Cost to renew expired license: $225 plus renewal fees for every lapsed renewal period to max of $725. No new prints needed, but will need a new background check for $22.55.

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

Phone number: (505) 841-8340

Walk in address: 6301 Indian School Road NE, Suite 701, Albuquerque NM 87110

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal).

Temporary license time: 2 weeks

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 2 - 3 weeks when complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $110

Temporary cost: $50

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$44

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $93

Time to renew expired license: 2 - 3 weeks, need proof of practice in another state and  contact hours.

Cost to renew expired license: $110

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

Phone number: (518) 474-3817 x120

Walk in address: 89 Washington Avenue, Education Bldg 2cd floor west wing, Albany NY 12234

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: sure, but why bother?

Temporary license time: no temp (don't be fooled by the Application for Limited Permit - despite wording, it only benefits NY graduates who haven't taken the NCLEX).

Temporary good for: no temp

Permanent license time: 8 weeks

Contact hours required: 2 in child abuse reporting, can be done online.

Licenses to verify: all licenses ever held, including any other profession

License cost: $143

Temporary cost: no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $65

Time to renew expired license: a few days

Cost to renew expired license: $65

Contact hours required to renew: 3 in infection control

 
 

Phone number: (919) 782-3211 then dial 222 immediately for endorsement dept.

Walk in address: 4516 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh NC 27607

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: no, online only

Temporary license time: online status updated 2 business days after completing online application - no card issued.

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 8 weeks est average, only a couple days after file complete.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: current

License cost: $150

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$38

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $92

Time to renew expired license: one business day if done online, no special requirements other than attesting to 15 contact hours. If license had been placed in inactive status, cost is $92 instead of $180.

Cost to renew expired license: $92/$180

Contact hours required to renew: 15 

 

Phone number: (701) 328-9777

Walk in address: 919 S 7th St, Suite 504, Bismarck ND 58504

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: No. Online app, online license.

Temporary license time: 2 - 5 days when complete with verification of license.

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: When file complete.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original, and current if original expired.

License cost: $160 (including background check, but not prints)

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$44.50

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $90

Time to renew expired license: 2 days after file completed a temp will be issued.

Cost to renew expired license: $140 plus $44.50 prints and $20 background check

Contact hours required to renew: 12

 
 

Ohio  

Phone number: (614) 466-3947 main  (614) 466-6940 alt number past switchboard

Walk in address: 17 South High Street, Suite 400, Columbus OH 43215

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: 7 - 14 days after license verification. Employer can verify online.

Temporary good for: 180 days

Permanent license time: 30 business days (FBI check can extend time over three months)

Contact hours required: 2 on Ohio rules

Licenses to verify: original and current (if original is not current)

License cost: $75

Temporary cost:  included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$50 - $75 (depending on agency used to submit)

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $65

Time to renew expired license: It takes 7 - 10 days to receive the reactivation application (not available online). Once form, fee, and proof of contact hours is received by the board, license is active and may be verified online.

Cost to renew expired license: $165

Contact hours required to renew: 24

 
 

Oklahoma

Phone number: (405) 962-1800

Walk in address: 2915 N Classen, Suite 524, Oklahoma City OK 73106

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, and can pick up temp or renewal in person.

Temporary license time: 7 - 10 days after proof or verification of current license.

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: 14 days (after fingerprints complete - see below).

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify:  original only

License cost: $85 plus $3.50 online payment fee

Temporary cost: $10

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$53 can be Livescan  at a private vendor in most states, or you can mail cards

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: only if education info not provided by original state board license verification

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $75

Time to renew expired license: 14 calendars days

Cost to renew expired license: $115

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 

Oregon  

Phone number: (971) 673-0685

Walk in address: 17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd., Portland OR 97224

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: no, online only

Temporary license time: no temp

Temporary good for: no temp

Permanent license time: 4 - 8 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original and current (if different)

License cost: $195

Temporary cost: no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$52 cards mailed after online app finished.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $145

Time to renew expired license: 4 - 5 weeks

Cost to renew expired license: $245 ($160 if inactive) plus $52 for new fingerprints

Contact hours required to renew: 7 first renewal only

 
 

Phone number: (717) 783-7142

Walk in address: 2601 N. Third St, Harrisburg PA 17110

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal).

Temporary license time: 10 business days

Temporary good for: one year

Permanent license time: 2 - 4 months

Contact hours required: no

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $100

Temporary cost: $35

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $65

Time to renew expired license: 10 business days

Cost to renew expired license: $65

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

Phone number: (401) 222-5700

Walk in address: 3 Capitol Hill, 105 Cannon Bldg, Providence RI 02908 

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no (ended when they became compact)

Walk in application to board office:no

Temporary license time: 2 - 3 weeks processing time, temp must be mailed. Requires photocopy of current license, proof of primary address.

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: minimum 8 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: all licenses ever held

License cost: $135

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$40

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $135

Time to renew expired license: At least a couple of weeks. Renewal application must be mailed to you (not available online).

Cost to renew expired license: $135

Contact hours required to renew: 10

 
 

Phone number: (803) 896-4550

Walk in address: 110 Centerview Drive, Synergy Business Park Suite 202, Columbia SC 29210

Compact state: yes

Walk through: yes - $25 fee for anything done in office instead of online.

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: same day (if Wednesday)

Temporary good for: 60 days

Permanent license time: immediate with license verification.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original, and current (if original expired)

License cost: $100

Temporary cost: $10

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$51.50

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: only if education is not on license verification from original state

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $50

Time to renew expired license: walk through on Wednesday

Cost to renew expired license: $60, plus $51.50 for new fingerprints.

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Phone number: (605) 362-2760

Walk in address: 4305 South Louise Ave, Suite 201, Sioux Falls SD 57106

Compact state: yes

Walk through: yes, if application, fees, current license copy, fingerprint cards completed.

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: same day

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: 2 - 3 weeks when complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $100

Temporary cost: $25

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$43.25

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: yes

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $90

Time to renew expired license: walk through with work history proof.

Cost to renew expired license: $140 ($90 if inactive status)

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Phone number: (615) 532-5166 nursing board (615) 532-3202 health licensing main (sometimes they route you to a direct line)

Walk in address: 227 French Landing, Heritage Place MetroCenter Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37243 

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, and can pick up license or renewal in person.

Temporary license time: not issued until background check completed - usually no faster than the permanent license

Temporary good for: 6 months

Permanent license time: 4 - 6 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $115

Temporary cost: no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$42 

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: copy of diploma or transcripts (does not require sending from school).

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $100

Time to renew expired license: 7 - 10 business days

Cost to renew expired license: prorated based on time expired, $200 to $500.

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Texas

Phone number: (512) 305-7400

Walk in address: 333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460, Austin TX 78701

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal).

Temporary license time: 15 business days

Temporary good for: 120 days

Permanent license time: 10 business days after file is complete (including jurisprudence exam).

Contact hours required: online jurisprudence exam for permanent license (available after receipt of temporary license.

Licenses to verify: all RN licenses ever held, including from other countries.

License cost: $200

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/included: one FBI fingerprint card or Livescan if in TX.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $73

Time to renew expired license: 10 business days

Cost to renew expired license: $193 ($83/$93 if inactive status depending on time since active)

Contact hours required to renew: 20

 
 

Utah  

Phone number: (801) 530-6628

Walk in address: 160 East 300 South, Heber M. Wells Bldg 4th floor, Salt Lake City UT 84114

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes, but license must be mailed (including renewal).

Temporary license time: no temp

Temporary good for: no temp

Permanent license time: 7 - 15 days after file complete

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: any current license

License cost: $100

Temporary cost:  no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/included: fingerprint cards or Livescan at board

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $58

Time to renew expired license: 7 - 15 days after file complete

Cost to renew expired license: $108

Contact hours required to renew: 30

 
 

Phone number: (340) 776-7397  Fax: (340) 777-4003

Walk in address: #3 Kongens Gade (Government Hill),  St Thomas VI 00802

Application notes: Be sure to say "Good Morning/Afternoon" to everyone you speak to for best results in the local culture, either by phone or in person. Do not request an application by mail, it may never arrive. They have a new website and it may be up for good now (2014), the previous one was last seen in 2011. If it is not working, you may download and print this application from PanTravelers to use.

The board is disorganized and the less paperwork you send the better. Do not send more than one current license copy, and make sure that it does not expire for 6 months or more. We recommend picking your license up at the board rather than having it mailed, but don't be surprised if they need something else when you get there. They do use Nursys like every other US board so don't do paper verification unless your state of licensure is one of these: AL, CA, CT, GA, HA, IL, KS, OK, PA. Board staff are not good on computers and one common issue is "you haven't paid Nursys" resulting in double payment before they issue a license number (we have such traveler reports from 2003 all the way to 2013)!

Compact state: no

Walk through: no 

Walk in application to board office: Yes, and can pick up license.

Temporary license time: no temp

Temporary good for: no temp

Permanent license time: 3 months allowance recommended, if on island and you push, you can get it under a month.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: any current license

License cost: $125

Temporary cost: no temp

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: yes. Diploma RNs may use a photocopy of their diploma.

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $125

Time to renew expired license: 5 business days (theoretically)

Cost to renew expired license: $125

Contact hours required to renew: 15

 
 

Phone number: (804) 367-4515 (no way to get real person)

Licensing specialist: (804) 367-4586 (often voice mail)

Support: (804) 367-4444 real person, and can transfer to other real people.

Walk in address: 9960 Mayland Drive, Dept of Health Professions Perimeter Center, Richmond VA 23233

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: 3 - 5 business days (copy of current license required)

Temporary good for: 30 days, can be extended

Permanent license time: 2 days to 6 weeks

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $190

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $140

Time to renew expired license: mailing time only. As little as one day if walked in, need proof of active practice.

Cost to renew expired license: $225

Contact hours required to renew: 15

 

Vermont  

Phone number:  (802) 828-2396

Walk in address: 32 College St, Vermont College of Fine Arts Schulmaier Hall, Montpelier VT O5620

Compact state: no

Walk through: yes, need copy of current license and ID.

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: same day

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: immediate with verification

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original and last practice state

License cost: $150

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$32

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $95

Time to renew expired license: walk through

Cost to renew expired license: $195 (max fee, depends on time)

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 
 

Phone number: (360) 236-4700

Walk in address: 310 Israel Rd., Tumwater WA 98501

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: sure, but why bother?

Temporary license time: 2 - 3 weeks - does not require background check or transcripts

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: 4 - 6 weeks

Contact hours required: 7 HIV/AIDS

Licenses to verify: original and active if original is not active

License cost: $88

Temporary cost: zero additional

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$32.50

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no, unless graduated in HA, IL, or CT

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $97

Time required to renew expired license: 3 - 4 weeks

Cost to renew expired license: $217

Contact hours required to renew: none

 
 

Phone number: (304) 558-3596   (877) 743-6877

Walk in address: 101 Dee Drive, Charleston WV 25311

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office:yes

Temporary license time: 3 - 5 business days

Temporary good for: 180 days

Permanent license time: one week with license verification.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $60

Temporary cost: $10

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: yes

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $35

Time to renew expired license: 2 - 4 days

Cost to renew expired license: $75 ($25 from inactive status)

Contact hours required to renew: 12

 
 

Phone number: (608) 266-2112  (877) 617-1565

Walk in address: 1400 East Washington Avenue, Madison WI 53703

 

Compact state: yes

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: Yes but why bother?

Temporary license time: 3 - 4 weeks with proof of education and current license. Applications for travel nurses are expedited - put "Travel Nurse" somewhere at the top of your application in red.

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: Up to 20 working days just for status report.

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: All licenses ever held.

License cost: $82

Temporary cost: $10

Fingerprints required/cost: no

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no but need board form filled out from school.

Notary required: no

Renewal cost: $86

Time to renew expired license: Same as on time renewal if expired less than five years. Over five years expired, requires verification of all licenses held since leaving WI practice. No temp permit available.

Cost to renew expired license: $111  ($107 if expired over 5 years)

Contact hours required to renew: none

 

Wyoming  

Phone number: (307) 777-7601

Walk in address: 1810 Pioneer Avenue, Cheyenne WY 82002

 

Compact state: no

Walk through: no

Walk in application to board office: yes

Temporary license time: 10 - 14 days

Temporary good for: 90 days

Permanent license time: up to 30 business days

Contact hours required: none

Licenses to verify: original only

License cost: $135  (plus $5 if paying by credit card)

Temporary cost: included

Fingerprints required/cost: yes/$60: cards mailed when application received.

Photo required: no

Transcripts required: no

Notary required: yes

Renewal cost: $110

Time to renew expired license: 10 - 14 days

Cost to renew expired license: $135/$110 if inactive status (plus $5 if paying by credit card)

Contact hours required to renew: none