License by endorsement checklist

What endorsement is

Endorsement means a state board licenses you because you already hold a license in another state. The new board checks that your license is in good standing and that you meet its requirements. It is the usual route for non-compact states and for professions the compact does not cover.

The steps

1. Find your board. Search for the board of nursing of the new state and read its endorsement page. Rules and forms are specific to that board.
2. Check eligibility. Confirm whether your current license qualifies, and whether you need to be licensed in a compact state first.
3. Verify your licenses. Request verification from each state where you hold or held a license. Many boards use Nursys.
4. Gather documents. ID, proof of education, work history, certifications. See the list below.
5. Complete the background check. Fingerprints are common. Ask where you can get them taken and how long results take.
6. Submit the application and pay the fee. Keep your confirmation and the date.
7. Ask about a temporary permit. Some boards issue one while your application is processed.
8. Track it. Check status with the board and respond to requests at once.
9. Tell your recruiter the dates. Start dates depend on license dates.

Documents to gather

• Government photo ID and Social Security number.
• License numbers and expiry dates for every state.
• Transcripts or proof of education if requested.
• Exam results where the board asks.
• BLS, ACLS and other certifications with expiry dates.
• Employer names and dates for the last several years.
• A passport-style photo if the board asks for one.

Plan the timing

Processing time depends on the board, on how fast your verifications arrive and on the background check. The safest plan is to start as soon as you know the state, before you accept a start date, and to build a buffer of several weeks. If a start date cannot move, ask the board whether a temporary permit covers your role, and ask your recruiter whether the facility can wait.

Common mistakes

• Starting only after the offer is signed.
• Requesting verification from one state and forgetting an older one.
• Missing a fingerprint appointment.
• Letting a certification expire before the start date.
• Assuming the compact covers a profession it does not.

Keep reading

• Nurse Licensure Compact guideWho it covers and how it works
• Compact license mapStatus by state
• Licensing guidesAll the guides