Oregon nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a Oregon license by endorsement: the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | Oregon |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | Oregon State Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Not in the compact |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. Fingerprints taken through Fieldprint after applying; processed by Oregon State Police and FBI. |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Continuing education | Currently 1 hr pain management (every 36 months) and 2 hrs cultural competency (every 48 months). From Jan 1, 2028: 20 CE hours within prior two years. |
How to get your Oregon license, step by step
- Plan for endorsement. Oregon is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026. A nurse licensed elsewhere applies to the Oregon State Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement before working here, even with a multistate license.
- Start the application on the board's site. Use the board's licensure by endorsement page.
- Send license verification. Ask each state where you are or were licensed to verify your license to the board. Follow the board's instructions for how it wants to receive it.
- Complete the fingerprint background check. The board requires fingerprints for endorsement applicants. Follow its instructions for where to get them taken.
- 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 Oregon
- Endorsement requires 1 hour of pain management training from the Oregon Pain Management Commission within the last 36 months.
- Fee schedule adds a $9 Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund surcharge on endorsement and renewal applications.
- Since Jan 1, 2026, practice hours no longer prove competency; continuing education is used instead.
What RNs earn in Oregon
The BLS median for registered nurses in Oregon is $59.61 per hour, about $123,990 a year. See the full RN salary guide for Oregon.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | $62.57 | $130,150 |
| Salem, OR | $61.61 | $128,150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $61.53 | $127,980 |
| Corvallis, OR | $55.05 | $114,500 |
| Medford, OR | $53.84 | $111,980 |
| Albany, OR | $51.92 | $108,000 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in Oregon · Oregon state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the Oregon State Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- oregon.gov/osbn/Documents/Resource_LPNRNEndorseAppDirections.pdf (endorsement application, state notes)
- oregon.gov/osbn/Pages/fingerprint-requirements.aspx (background check)
- oregon.gov/osbn/Documents/Notice_Div31_RuleHearing07-21-26.pdf (renewal)
- oregon.gov/osbn/Pages/Competency-Requirements.aspx (continuing education, state notes)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the Oregon State Board of Nursing before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
Is Oregon a nurse licensure compact state?
Oregon is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026. A license by endorsement is the route for nurses licensed elsewhere.
How long does it take to get a Oregon license?
The Oregon State 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 Oregon 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 Oregon? 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.
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The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
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Your RN pay reportOregon · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- LifePoint HealthMcMinnville, OR · 3 postings$67.36/ hr$57–$78
- Saint Charles Health SystemMadras, OR · 7 postings$66.56/ hr$46–$80
- US Oncology NetworkTigard, OR · 2 postings$55.50/ hr$41–$69
- AmedisysRoseburg, OR · 5 postings$53.00/ hr$49–$57
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
19 RN postings with published pay in Oregon, 19 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 19 RN roles
- RN / Registered Nurse Home Health Weekends OnlyPermanent$120k–$133k/ year
- RN - InfusionPermanent$41.17–$69.36/ hour
+ 17 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.