North Carolina nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a North Carolina license by endorsement: the application fee ($150 for an RN), the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | North Carolina Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Compact state |
| RN license by endorsement, application fee | $150 |
| LPN/LVN license by endorsement, application fee | $150 |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. Criminal background check ($38) conducted by the Board; fingerprints submitted to other agencies cannot be used. |
| Nursys license verification | Accepted |
| Temporary license while you wait | Temporary license. Valid up to six months, once per lifetime; hard-copy fingerprints required; not issued to holders of a multistate compact license. |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 2 years, fee $100 |
| Continuing education | Continuing competence: one of eight options, e.g. 15 contact hours plus 640 practice hours in 2 years, or 30 contact hours, or national certification. |
How to get your North Carolina 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 North Carolina without applying again. If you move your residence to North Carolina, you apply for a North Carolina 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 license while the application is processed. Check the conditions before you plan a start date.
- Pay the fee and send documents. The application fee is $150 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 North Carolina
- License expires the last day of the licensee's birth month.
- NC license is not issued while another compact state is declared as primary state of residence.
- Temporary license is issued only within six months of submitting the endorsement application.
What RNs earn in North Carolina
The BLS median for registered nurses in North Carolina is $39.36 per hour, about $81,860 a year. See the full RN salary guide for North Carolina.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NC | $41.88 | $87,110 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $40.80 | $84,870 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $40.76 | $84,780 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $40.51 | $84,270 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $40.48 | $84,200 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $39.07 | $81,260 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in North Carolina · North Carolina state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the North Carolina Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- ncbon.com/fee-schedule (fees, renewal fee, background check)
- ncbon.com/rn-lpn-endorsement (endorsement application, state notes)
- ncbon.com/faq-licensure-endorsement (background check, Nursys verification, temporary license, renewal, state notes)
- ncbon.com/rn-lpn-continuing-competence (continuing education)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the North Carolina 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 North Carolina nursing license by endorsement cost?
The North Carolina Board of Nursing lists an application fee of $150 for an RN and $150 for an LPN/LVN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be charged separately.
Is North Carolina a nurse licensure compact state?
North Carolina 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 North Carolina while my license is processed?
The board offers a temporary license. Valid up to six months, once per lifetime; hard-copy fingerprints required; not issued to holders of a multistate compact license. Confirm the conditions with the board.
How long does it take to get a North Carolina license?
The North Carolina Board of Nursing does not publish a fixed time. It depends on how fast your verification and background check arrive, so apply before you accept a start date.
Does Valorem Health help with North Carolina 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.
Moving to North Carolina? See what RNs get paid near you.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
1,100+ Registered Nurse roles in North Carolina, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your RN pay reportNorth Carolina · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Veterans Health AdministrationFayetteville, NC · 2 postings$56.27/ hr$40–$75
- Sentara HealthcareElizabeth City, NC · 12 postings$51.47/ hr$36–$61
- Advocate HealthCharlotte, NC · 194 postings$47.75/ hr$36–$77
- BrightSpring Health ServicesWINSTON-SALEM, NC · 4 postings$43.75/ hr$39–$48
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
261 RN postings with published pay in North Carolina, 255 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 261 RN roles
- Registered Nurse - Veterans Affairs Surgery Quality Improvement Program Quality Consultant (VASQIP)Permanent$86k–$144k/ year
- Clinical Nurse Specialist - CardiacPermanent$92k–$134k/ year
+ 259 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.