Licensing Guide

State Nursing License Guide

Everything you need to know about nursing licenses in all 50 states — compact membership, processing times, fees, and application tips.

Compact (NLC) States

Non-Compact States

2–6 wks

Avg. Processing Time

What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

The NLC allows nurses to hold one multistate license while having the privilege to practice in all 37 compact states. Your license is issued by your home state (where you have a permanent residence). If you live in a compact state, you automatically have multistate privileges. For non-compact states, you must apply for an individual license by endorsement.

Read our full NLC guide

State	NLC Status	Processing Time	License Fee	Notes
ALAlabama	Compact	2–4 weeks	$100	Compact member. Apply through NURSYS.
AKAlaska	Individual	4–8 weeks	$200	Non-compact. Endorsement required.
AZArizona	Compact	2–3 weeks	$150	Compact member. Expedited processing available.
ARArkansas	Compact	2–4 weeks	$75	Compact member.
CACalifornia	Individual	8–14 weeks	$350	Non-compact. One of the longest processing times. Apply early.
COColorado	Compact	2–4 weeks	$130	Compact member.
CTConnecticut	Individual	4–8 weeks	$200	Non-compact. Endorsement by endorsement.
DEDelaware	Compact	2–4 weeks	$110	Compact member.
FLFlorida	Compact	2–5 weeks	$105	Compact member. High demand state.
GAGeorgia	Compact	2–4 weeks	$75	Compact member.
HIHawaii	Individual	6–10 weeks	$225	Non-compact. Unique requirements.
IDIdaho	Compact	2–3 weeks	$90	Compact member.
ILIllinois	Individual	6–10 weeks	$150	Non-compact. High demand, plan ahead.
INIndiana	Compact	2–4 weeks	$50	Compact member. Low fees.
IAIowa	Compact	2–3 weeks	$99	Compact member.
KSKansas	Compact	2–4 weeks	$75	Compact member.
KYKentucky	Compact	2–4 weeks	$90	Compact member.
LALouisiana	Compact	2–4 weeks	$100	Compact member.
MEMaine	Compact	3–5 weeks	$100	Compact member.
MDMaryland	Compact	2–4 weeks	$100	Compact member.
MAMassachusetts	Individual	6–10 weeks	$275	Non-compact. High demand, high pay.
MIMichigan	Individual	4–8 weeks	$150	Non-compact.
MNMinnesota	Individual	4–8 weeks	$130	Non-compact.
MSMississippi	Compact	2–4 weeks	$100	Compact member.
MOMissouri	Compact	2–4 weeks	$65	Compact member.
MTMontana	Compact	2–4 weeks	$100	Compact member.
NENebraska	Compact	2–3 weeks	$123	Compact member.
NVNevada	Individual	6–10 weeks	$200	Non-compact. Endorsement required.
NHNew Hampshire	Compact	2–4 weeks	$120	Compact member.
NJNew Jersey	Compact	3–6 weeks	$200	Compact member.
NMNew Mexico	Compact	2–4 weeks	$90	Compact member.
NYNew York	Individual	8–16 weeks	$143	Non-compact. Longest processing time. Apply 3+ months early.
NCNorth Carolina	Compact	2–4 weeks	$150	Compact member.
NDNorth Dakota	Compact	2–3 weeks	$100	Compact member.
OHOhio	Compact	2–4 weeks	$75	Compact member.
OKOklahoma	Compact	2–4 weeks	$85	Compact member.
OROregon	Individual	4–8 weeks	$200	Non-compact.
PAPennsylvania	Individual	4–8 weeks	$100	Non-compact.
RIRhode Island	Individual	4–6 weeks	$135	Non-compact.
SCSouth Carolina	Compact	2–4 weeks	$100	Compact member.
SDSouth Dakota	Compact	2–3 weeks	$100	Compact member.
TNTennessee	Compact	2–4 weeks	$100	Compact member.
TXTexas	Compact	2–4 weeks	$186	Compact member. High demand.
UTUtah	Compact	2–3 weeks	$100	Compact member.
VTVermont	Compact	2–4 weeks	$150	Compact member.
VAVirginia	Compact	2–4 weeks	$130	Compact member.
WAWashington	Compact	2–4 weeks	$180	Compact member. High pay state.
WVWest Virginia	Compact	2–4 weeks	$100	Compact member.
WIWisconsin	Compact	2–4 weeks	$82	Compact member.
WYWyoming	Compact	2–3 weeks	$100	Compact member.

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