New Jersey nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a New Jersey license by endorsement: the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | New Jersey Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Compact state |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. Board requires state and federal fingerprint-based criminal history background checks; after initial review the Board emails a letter with fingerprinting instructions, and vendor results take about 1-3 weeks after the appointment. |
| Nursys license verification | Accepted |
| Temporary license while you wait | Temporary Courtesy License. Board's application is titled for military personnel or spouses of military personnel assigned to New Jersey; duration not stated on the form. |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Continuing education per renewal | 30 contact hours. Minimum 30 contact hours in the two-year period before renewal, including 1 contact hour on prescription opioids; up to 15 extra hours carry over; courses must be approved by an ANCC-accredited credentialing agency. |
| Processing time, per the board | Board's published average (Oct 2024): Phase I initial review about 2-3 weeks; Phase II review about 4-6 weeks after background check results and remaining documents arrive. |
How to get your New Jersey 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 New Jersey without applying again. If you move your residence to New Jersey, you apply for a New Jersey 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 courtesy license while the application is processed. Check the conditions before you plan a start date.
- Pay the fee and send documents. 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 New Jersey
- The former exam and endorsement applications were combined into one online RN/LPN 'Candidate' application; a multistate Compact license is issued if requirements are met, otherwise a single-state license.
- A NJ multistate license requires proof NJ is the primary state of residence (NJ driver's license or state ID) and a valid Social Security number.
- Under P.L. 2021, c. 335 the Board must query the National Practitioner Data Bank before issuing or renewing a license.
What RNs earn in New Jersey
The BLS median for registered nurses in New Jersey is $49.39 per hour, about $102,730 a year. See the full RN salary guide for New Jersey.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $47.92 | $99,680 |
| Vineland, NJ | $47.76 | $99,340 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $46.94 | $97,640 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in New Jersey · New Jersey state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the New Jersey Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/applications.aspx (endorsement application)
- njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Documents/BON-Phases-and-Timelines.pdf (background check)
- njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/Nurse-Licensure.aspx (Nursys verification)
- njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Applications/Official-Application-for-a-Temporary-Court (temporary license)
- njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/Continuing-Education-FAQ.aspx (renewal)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the New Jersey Board of Nursing before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
Is New Jersey a nurse licensure compact state?
New Jersey 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 New Jersey while my license is processed?
The board offers a temporary courtesy license. Board's application is titled for military personnel or spouses of military personnel assigned to New Jersey; duration not stated on the form. Confirm the conditions with the board.
How much continuing education do New Jersey nurses need?
RN renewal requires 30 contact hours of continuing education. Minimum 30 contact hours in the two-year period before renewal, including 1 contact hour on prescription opioids; up to 15 extra hours carry over; courses must be approved by an ANCC-accredited credentialing agency. Licenses renew every 2 years.
How long does it take to get a New Jersey license?
The board says: Board's published average (Oct 2024): Phase I initial review about 2-3 weeks; Phase II review about 4-6 weeks after background check results and remaining documents arrive.
Does Valorem Health help with New Jersey 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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