Travel nursing is a lucrative and rewarding career that involves all the things you love about nursing with a beautiful side of travel – but – with one very important thing to keep in mind: you must have an active state nursing license in whatever state you plan to practice nursing. Sometimes this can be as easy as getting a temporary nursing license – and sometimes it can be as complicated as needing to obtain a permanent nursing license in a non-compact state.
Here’s everything you need to know about obtaining an out-of-state nursing license.
The Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact
Informally known as the eNLC the Enhance Nursing Licensure Compact allows you to essentially extend the reach of your current license to every state that is a part of the eNLC. With a nursing compact license, you do not need an additional nursing license to practice nursing in 37 of 50 U.S. states and 2 U.S. territories.
>>The Complete Guide to Nursing Compact States
Walk-Through States
Some states will allow registered nurses to apply for (and receive within 24-48 hours) a temporary nursing license while you wait on your permanent nursing license to go through. These temporary licenses are usually good for a minimum of 30-days and up to 6 months (depending on the state) and will allow an RN to practice nursing while they wait for their permanent licensure. Many non-walk-through states also offer a form or temporary licensure – but qualifications and processes do vary state by state. These temporary licenses are also offered at a reduced wait time – and are usually valid for less than one year.
Licensure by Endorsement
If you have an active nursing license that is in good standing – it’s very easy to get a nursing license by endorsement without having to go through all the paperwork you went through to obtain your initial nursing license. This is done through a process called licensure by endorsement.
Have questions about nursing licenses or requirements? Complete the form on this page and a recruiter will contact you.
How long does it take to get a nursing license? State-by-state guide.
States
Alabama
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Alabama Board of Nursing
Alaska
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Alaska Board of Nursing
Arizona
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 4 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Arizona State Board of Nursing
Arkansas
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Arkansas State Board of Nursing
California
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 10-12 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: California Board of Registered Nursing
To read more about how to obtain a California Nursing license, click here.
Colorado
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Colorado Board of Nursing
Connecticut
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 4 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: No
For More Information: Connecticut Department of Public Health
Delaware
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 4-8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Division of Professional Regulation
District of Columbia
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 6-8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: District of Columbia Board of Nursing
Florida
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Florida Board of Nursing
Georgia
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 20 business days
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Georgia Board of Nursing
Hawaii
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 15-20 business days
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Hawaii Board of Nursing
Idaho
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Idaho Board of Nursing
Illinois
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 4-8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Indiana
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2-4 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Iowa
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 5 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Iowa Board of Nursing
Kansas
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 6-8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Kansas Board of Nursing
Kentucky
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Kentucky Board of Nursing
Louisiana
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 4-6 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Louisiana State Board of Nursing
Maine
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 6 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: State Board of Nursing
Maryland
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 3-4 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Maryland Board of Nursing
Massachusetts
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 3-5 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Massachusetts’ Board of Registration in Nursing
Michigan
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 6-8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Minnesota
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 2-3 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Minnesota Board of Nursing
Mississippi
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 1-2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Mississippi Board of Nursing
Missouri
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 1-2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Missouri Board of Nursing
Montana
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Montana Board of Nursing
Nebraska
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 1-2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services
Nevada
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Nevada State Board of Nursing
New Hampshire
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: New Hampshire Board of Nursing
New Jersey
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 8-12 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: New Jersey Board of Nursing
New Mexico
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 4-6 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: New Mexico Board of Nursing
New York
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 6-8 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: No
For More Information: New York State Education Department
North Carolina
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: North Carolina Board of Nursing
North Dakota
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 1-2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: North Dakota Board of Nursing
Ohio
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Ohio Board of Nursing
Oklahoma
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Oklahoma Board of Nursing
Oregon
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Oregon State Board of Nursing
Pennsylvania
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
*Pennsylvania has entered the compact, but is still waiting implementation
For More Information: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
Rhode Island
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Rhode Island Department of Health
South Carolina
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: South Carolina’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
South Dakota
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2-3 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: South Dakota Board of Nursing
Tennessee
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 6 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Tennessee Board of Nursing
Texas
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2-3 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Texas Board of Nursing
Utah
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 2-3 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Utah’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Vermont
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 1-2 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Vermont Secretary of State’s Board of Nursing
Virginia
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 6 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Virginia Department of Health Professions
Washington
Compact State: No
Permanent Licensure: 1+ weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Washington State Board of Health
West Virginia
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: West Virginia RN Board
Wisconsin
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: No
For More Information: Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services
Wyoming
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 3-7 weeks
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
For More Information: Wyoming State Board of Nursing
U.S Territories
Guam
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: No set timeframe
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
*Guam is allowing nurses who hold active, unencumbered, multi-state licenses issued by Nurse Licensure Compact member states to practice in Guam under their multi-state licenses.
For More Information: Guam Board of Nurse Examiners
Virgin Islands
Compact State: Yes
Permanent Licensure: 3 months
Fingerprint/Background Check: Yes
*Virgin Islands has entered the compact, but is still waiting implementation
For More Information: Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure
Already have your license or just wondering what travel opportunities are out there? Check out our job board. You can optimize your search by profession, speciality and state.
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