Nurse License Guide

Not sure about nursing license guidelines in every US state? Being a travel nurse is an awesome experience, so we've put together in-depth information on required application documents, fees, application timeline, & additional resources for each state to help you with the best experience in travel healthcare.

The nursing license ensures that the nurse is well qualified thereby ascertaining to safeguard public health. Board of Nursing (BON) is the nursing body that forms standards for safe nursing practice and issues nursing licenses following the regulations stated in that region’s Nursing Practice Act or the NPA legislation.

The Board of Nursing together form the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, or the NCSBN. The NCSBN allows the state nursing bodies to work and negotiate on matters related to nursing practice licensing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing also manages the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows travel nurses to work interstate. Thirty-four states have enacted NLC.

State-wise Nursing Licensure Requirements

State	eNLC	Temporary license	Walk through state	NURSYS	Fees	Timing	Renewal Period (Years)	Contact	Link
Alabama	Y	Y	N	N	Application : $100 Temp license $50	Not definite	2	(800) 656-5318
Alaska	N	Y	N	Y	Application : $100 Temp license $100 License: $200 Fingerprint: $75	10-15 days	2	(907) 269-8161
Arizona	Y	Y	Y	Y	Endorsement Application: $150 Fingerprints: $50 Temporary License: $50	30 days	4	602-771-7800
Arkansas	Y	Y	N	Y	Endorsement Application: $125.00 Temporary Permit: $30.00	2 weeks	2	(501) 686-2700