Licensure Guide

Temporary License

1. Mail in your completed application for Licensure by Endorsement
2. Submit the associated fee
3. Provide evidence of citizenship
4. Verification of original nursing license and all licenses, certifications or registrations you hold or have held in states other than Nebraska in any health-related field. (see below)
   1. This can be pending as long as the Nebraska Board of Nursing can verify online that you have an active license in another state with no Board Actions.
5. Submitted fingerprints and criminal background check (see below).
   1. The results can be pending.
6. Submit transcripts (see below).
   • This can be pending while the Nebraska Board of Nursing is awaiting receipt of official documents.

Permanent License

1. Mail in your completed application for Licensure by Endorsement
2. Submit these items with your application:
   1. Application fee (check or money order)
   2. Evidence of citizenship or lawful presence (U.S. passport, birth certificate, etc.)
   3. Conviction records (if applicable)
   4. Discipline records (if applicable)
   5. Documentation of name change (if applicable)
3. Fingerprints and criminal background check
   1. You need to submit fingerprints and a processing fee to the Nebraska State Patrol. Even if you have recently obtained a criminal background check for another state or other license type, you must obtain a new criminal background check for your current application.
   2. Use standard blue and white fingerprint cards (Form #FD-258), which are available at any State Patrol office in Nebraska and at many local law enforcement agencies.
   3. Live Scan – Available at all Nebraska State Patrol locations listed below and through some other law enforcement agencies in Nebraska. If obtained in Nebraska, fingerprint cards might not be required. If you use an agency outside of Nebraska that captures fingerprints with Live Scan, you must request that your fingerprints be printed onto a card. One (1) card is usually sufficient for Live Scan prints.
   4. Ink and Paper –  If your fingerprints are taken using traditional ink and paper fingerprinting, you need to submit two (2) ink rolled cards to the Nebraska State Patrol.
4. License verification for initial nursing license AND all licenses, certifications or registrations you hold or have held in states other than Nebraska in any health-related field.
   1. If the state(s) participate in Nursys, you must complete the Nursys verification process, pay their fee and designate Nebraska as the receipt of the verification.
   2. If the state(s) do not participate in Nursys, you must contact their state Boards directly for further instructions. You will need to send each Board a Verification of License form ( to complete and submit to the Nebraska State Board of Nursing on your behalf.
      

   *The verification must indicate whether or not there is any disciplinary action against the credential.
   *Do not send a copy of the license card.

5. Official transcripts
   1. Submit an official transcript from your nursing program showing your degree and graduation date. Transcripts must be sent to our office directly from your school, or, if they are in a sealed, school envelope, submitted with your application.
      * For graduates of foreign nursing schools, a complete Credential Evaluation Service Report will meet the transcript requirement.
6. English language proficiency exam (if applicable).