Wisconsin nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a Wisconsin license by endorsement: the application fee ($73 for an RN), the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | Wisconsin Board of Nursing (Department of Safety and Professional Services) |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Compact state |
| RN license by endorsement, application fee | $73 |
| LPN/LVN license by endorsement, application fee | $73 |
| Nursys license verification | Accepted |
| Temporary license while you wait | Bridge Temporary Credential, up to 90 days. Needs valid unrestricted out-of-state license, Wisconsin employer, and pending permanent application. No fee; 30-day extensions possible. |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 2 years, fee $73 |
| Continuing education per renewal | None required. Board states no continuing education is required for RN or LPN renewal. |
| Processing time, per the board | Materials will be reviewed within approximately 10 days by a member of the credentialing team. |
How to get your Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin without applying again. If you move your residence to Wisconsin, you apply for a Wisconsin 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.
- Ask about the temporary license. The board offers a bridge temporary credential valid up to 90 days while the application is processed. Check the conditions before you plan a start date.
- Pay the fee and send documents. The application fee is $73 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 Wisconsin
- Endorsement applicants must request a Nursys endorsement verification naming Wisconsin and pay the Nursys fee.
- Renewal requires completing a Department of Workforce Development survey and reporting primary state of residence.
- Separate Temporary Permit exists only for first-time NCLEX applicants, not for endorsement.
What RNs earn in Wisconsin
The BLS median for registered nurses in Wisconsin is $41.38 per hour, about $86,070 a year. See the full RN salary guide for Wisconsin.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $46.06 | $95,800 |
| Madison, WI | $43.26 | $89,980 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $40.68 | $84,610 |
| Kenosha, WI | $40.63 | $84,500 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $40.38 | $83,990 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $39.90 | $82,980 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in Wisconsin · Wisconsin state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing (Department of Safety and Professional Services) web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/registered-nurse-rn/licensure-by-endor (endorsement application, background check, Nursys verification, processing time)
- dsps.wi.gov/credentialing/credential-fees-and-renewal-dates/ (fees, renewal, renewal fee)
- dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/licensed-practical-nurse-lpn/licensure
- dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/bridge-temporary-credential/ (temporary license)
- dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/registered-nurse-rn/ (continuing education, state notes)
- dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/registered-nurse-rn/licensure-by-tempo (state notes)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the Wisconsin Board of Nursing (Department of Safety and Professional Services) before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
How much does a Wisconsin nursing license by endorsement cost?
The Wisconsin Board of Nursing (Department of Safety and Professional Services) lists an application fee of $73 for an RN and $73 for an LPN/LVN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be charged separately.
Is Wisconsin a nurse licensure compact state?
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin while my license is processed?
The board offers a bridge temporary credential, valid up to 90 days. Needs valid unrestricted out-of-state license, Wisconsin employer, and pending permanent application. No fee; 30-day extensions possible. Confirm the conditions with the board.
How much continuing education do Wisconsin nurses need?
The board does not require continuing education hours for RN renewal. Board states no continuing education is required for RN or LPN renewal. Licenses renew every 2 years.
How long does it take to get a Wisconsin license?
The board says: Materials will be reviewed within approximately 10 days by a member of the credentialing team.
Does Valorem Health help with Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin? 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
700+ Registered Nurse roles in Wisconsin, 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 reportWisconsin · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Essentia HealthSuperior, WI · 2 postings$56.95/ hr$45–$69
- Veterans Health AdministrationMilwaukee, WI · 13 postings$52.90/ hr$34–$74
- Select MedicalMadison, WI · 3 postings$51.43/ hr$34–$60
- Hospital Sisters Health SystemGreen Bay, WI · 50 postings$46.00/ hr$31–$56
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
147 RN postings with published pay in Wisconsin, 118 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 147 RN roles
- Float Pool RN (Night Shift)Permanent$86k–$149k/ year
- Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental HealthPermanent$72k–$152k/ year
+ 145 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.