Licensure Guide
Each state has different licensing requirements, select the state you are interested in learning more about below.
View Licensing Guides Per State
Compact State Information
To be eligible to apply for a compact license, you must meet two important requirements: Your primary state of residence must be a participating member of the NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact). You must have a current nursing license that’s in good standing.
Visit Uniform Licensure Requirements for a Multistate License for more info.
Walkthrough States
Some states allow RNs and LPNs to obtain a license within 24-48 hours. Candidates should not have any hits on their background and will need to bring supporting documents to the Board of Nursing when applying. For more information, call the state Board of Nursing.
Nursing License Processing Time Guide
Please keep in mind that these are average time frames and each situation is different. It is best practice to wait until your RN license is in Active status prior to accepting an assignment in a particular state.
State | Compact | Walk Through | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
Alabama (AL) | 2-4 Weeks | ||
Alaska (AK) | 8 Weeks | ||
Arizona (AZ) | 2-4 Weeks | ||
Arkansas (AR) | 4 Weeks | ||
California (CA) | 3-6 Months | ||
Colorado (CO) | 4-6 Weeks | ||
Connecticut (CT) | 1-4 Weeks | ||
Delaware (DE) | 4-6 Weeks | ||
District of Columbia (DC) | 4-5 Weeks | ||
Florida (FL) | 2-4 Weeks | ||
Georgia (GA) | 10-15 Days | ||
Hawaii (HI) | 2- 15 Days | ||
Idaho (ID) | 6 Weeks | ||
Illinois (IL) | 6-8 Weeks | ||
Indiana (IN) | 3-8 Weeks | ||
Iowa (IA) | 2-8 Weeks | ||
Kansas (KS) | 2-4 Weeks | ||
Kentucky (KY) | 2 Weeks | ||
Louisiana (LA) | 4-6 Weeks | ||
Maine (ME) | 8-10 Weeks | ||
Massachusetts (MA) | 4-5 Weeks | ||
Michigan (MI) | 6-8 Weeks | ||
Minnesota (MN) | 2 Weeks | ||
Mississippi (MS) | 3-4 Weeks | ||
Missouri (MO) | 2 Weeks | ||
Montana (MT) | 2 Weeks | ||
Nebraska (NE) | 2-10 Weeks | ||
Nevada (NV) | 2-4 Weeks | ||
New Hampshire (NH) | 2 Weeks | ||
New Jersey (NJ) | 6-8 Weeks | ||
New Mexico (NM) | 3-4 Weeks | ||
New York (NY) | 6-8 Weeks | ||
North Carolina (NC) | 6-8 Weeks | ||
North Dakota (ND) | 2-4 Weeks | ||
Ohio (OH) | 4-6 Months | ||
Oklahoma (OK) | 2-3 Weeks | ||
Oregon (OR) | 3-6 Weeks | ||
Pennsylvania (PA) | 2-3 Weeks | ||
Rhode Island (RI) | 4+ Weeks | ||
South Carolina (SC) | 2 weeks | ||
South Dakota (SD) | 3-5 Weeks | ||
Tennessee (TN) | 4-6 Weeks | ||
Texas (TX) | 4-6 Weeks | ||
Utah (UT) | 2-3 Weeks | ||
Vermont (VT) | 4-6 Weeks | ||
Virginia (VA) | 4-6 Weeks | ||
Washington (WA) | 3-4 Weeks | ||
West Virginia (WV) | 2 Weeks | ||
Wisconsin (WI) | 2 Weeks | ||
Wyoming (WY) | 2-3 Weeks |
