Nursing License Requirements by State – LPN/LVN
Every state issues its own nursing license through a state Board of Nursing. Requirements vary by state and credential type, but all RN and LPN/LVN candidates must pass the NCLEX. Select your state from the list below to find the exact requirements, application steps, and board links for your jurisdiction.
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Select a State for Nursing License Information
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Nursing licensure is regulated at the state level. Each state’s Board of Nursing sets the education requirements, application process, background check rules, and renewal schedule for RNs, LPNs, and LVNs practicing within its borders. There is no single national nursing license, but the licensing exams are uniform: the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for practical and vocational nurses, both administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
This site covers licensing requirements for all four major credential types: registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical and vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Each state page links directly to the relevant board, application portal, and official requirement documents. For a walkthrough of the general process, see the RN licensing process or LPN licensing process.
The Nurse Licensure Compact
More than 40 states and two U.S. territories participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses who hold a multistate license issued by their primary state of residence can practice in any other compact state without applying for a separate license. The compact covers RNs and LPN/LVNs. The APRN Compact has been developed but is not yet operational, so APRNs must still meet individual state licensure requirements.
If your home state is a compact member, your license is valid across all participating states as long as you continue to reside there. Moving to a new compact state requires applying for a new multistate license in your new state of residence within 60 days of establishing residency. As of 2026, non-compact states include California, New York, Illinois, and Michigan. Nurses practicing in those states require a separate state license regardless of compact status elsewhere.
Each state page on this site indicates the current NLC membership status. Compact status has changed for several states in recent years, so verify current status with the NCSBN or your state Board of Nursing before accepting a position in another state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate license for each state where I want to practice?
It depends on your home state’s NLC membership. If you live in a compact state and hold a multistate license, you can practice in other compact states without a separate application. If your home state is not an NLC member, or if you want to practice in a non-compact state like California or New York, you’ll need to apply for a single-state license by endorsement in each additional state.
What is the difference between an RN license and an LPN/LVN license?
Both require completing a Board-approved nursing program and passing the applicable NCLEX exam, but the scope of practice differs significantly. RNs complete more extensive education (typically an ADN or BSN), take the NCLEX-RN, and practice with greater clinical autonomy. LPNs and LVNs complete shorter certificate programs, take the NCLEX-PN, and work under the supervision of an RN or physician. For a detailed comparison, see LPNs vs. RNs. Texas and California use the title Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) for the same credential that other states call LPN. See LVN vs. LPN for background on that distinction.
How do I transfer my nursing license to another state?
Nurses already licensed in one U.S. state apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state. The process typically requires verification of your existing license (often through Nursys), an application, a background check, and payment of the state fee. If both states are NLC members and you’re establishing a new primary state of residence, you apply for a multistate license in your new home state. Select your destination state from the list above for the specific endorsement process and application link.
- Licensure is state-specific — each Board of Nursing sets its own requirements for education, application, background checks, and renewal.
- NCLEX is national — the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are uniform exams administered by NCSBN regardless of which state you’re applying in.
- As of 2026, the NLC covers more than 40 states — a multistate compact license lets eligible RNs and LPN/LVNs practice across participating states and two U.S. territories without additional applications.
- APRN licensure is separate — nurse practitioners and other APRNs hold both an RN license and a separate state APRN authorization or certification.
Select your state above to find approved nursing programs, board application links, and current licensing requirements for your credential type.
