Kentucky nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a Kentucky license by endorsement: the application fee ($165 for an RN), the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | Kentucky Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Compact state |
| RN license by endorsement, application fee | $165 |
| LPN/LVN license by endorsement, application fee | $165 |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. State and federal check through IdentoGO live scan; vendor fee of $57 paid separately; reports valid six months. |
| Nursys license verification | Accepted |
| Temporary license while you wait | Temporary permit. Issued while awaiting original-state verification if other requirements are met; valid six months; no supervision required; Kentucky only. |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 1 year, fee $65 |
| Continuing education per renewal | 14 contact hours. 14 contact hours annually (Nov 1-Oct 31); alternatives include 7 hours plus employer evaluation, national certification, or a college nursing course. |
| Processing time, per the board | Licenses may be issued within 14 business days after all documents have been received and reviewed. |
How to get your Kentucky license, step by step
- Check the compact first. If your primary state of residence is a compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Kentucky without applying again. If you move your residence to Kentucky, you apply for a Kentucky license as your new home state.
- Start the application on the board's site. Use the board's licensure by endorsement page.
- Verify your license through Nursys. Request verification from each state where you are or were licensed. Boards that use Nursys receive it electronically.
- Complete the fingerprint background check. The board requires fingerprints for endorsement applicants. Follow its instructions for where to get them taken.
- Ask about the temporary license. The board offers a temporary permit while the application is processed. Check the conditions before you plan a start date.
- Pay the fee and send documents. The application fee is $165 for an RN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be separate. Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Tell your recruiter your status. Employers set their own start dates around licensing, so your recruiter needs to know where your application stands.
Specific to Kentucky
- Jurisprudence exam required for endorsement: 35 questions, 80% to pass, $15 paid to NCSBN.
- One-time CE within 3 years of licensure: domestic violence 3 hrs, abusive head trauma 1.5, suicide prevention 2, Alzheimer's 1.
- 120 CE hours required if licensed over 5 years with fewer than 500 practice hours in last 5 years.
What RNs earn in Kentucky
The BLS median for registered nurses in Kentucky is $38.42 per hour, about $79,910 a year. See the full RN salary guide for Kentucky.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $39.80 | $82,780 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $39.04 | $81,200 |
| Owensboro, KY | $38.23 | $79,510 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $38.05 | $79,140 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37.21 | $77,400 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $36.84 | $76,620 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in Kentucky · Kentucky state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the Kentucky Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/fees-for-licensure-applications-and-service (fees, renewal fee)
- kbn.ky.gov/Registered-Nurse/Pages/rn-endorsement.aspx (background check, Nursys verification, temporary license, processing time, state notes)
- kbn.ky.gov/Licensure/Pages/criminal-background.aspx (background check)
- kbn.ky.gov/Licensure/Pages/Renewal.aspx (renewal)
- kbn.ky.gov/Registered-Nurse/Pages/Continuing-Education.aspx (continuing education)
- kbn.ky.gov/Licensure/Pages/jurisprudence-exam.aspx (state notes)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the Kentucky Board of Nursing before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
How much does a Kentucky nursing license by endorsement cost?
The Kentucky Board of Nursing lists an application fee of $165 for an RN and $165 for an LPN/LVN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be charged separately.
Is Kentucky a nurse licensure compact state?
Kentucky is in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A nurse whose home state is also a compact state can practice here on a multistate license.
Can I work in Kentucky while my license is processed?
The board offers a temporary permit. Issued while awaiting original-state verification if other requirements are met; valid six months; no supervision required; Kentucky only. Confirm the conditions with the board.
How much continuing education do Kentucky nurses need?
RN renewal requires 14 contact hours of continuing education. 14 contact hours annually (Nov 1-Oct 31); alternatives include 7 hours plus employer evaluation, national certification, or a college nursing course. Licenses renew every 1 years.
How long does it take to get a Kentucky license?
The board says: Licenses may be issued within 14 business days after all documents have been received and reviewed.
Does Valorem Health help with Kentucky licensing?
Your recruiter tells you which license each role needs and what the facility requires. You apply to the board, and our credentialing team helps with documents for onboarding.
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