Nursing Licensure Requirements in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Board of Nursing licenses RNs and LPNs in the state. New Hampshire is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member, so nurses who declare NH as their primary state of residence receive a multistate license valid in other compact states. All first-time applicants must complete a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX before practicing.
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New Hampshire licenses practical and professional nurses through the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. The state is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which means an NH-resident nurse’s license covers practice in any other NLC member state without applying separately. Nurses already licensed in another state can apply for licensure by endorsement rather than retaking the NCLEX, provided they meet New Hampshire’s continuing competency requirements.
This page covers LPN and RN licensing for first-time applicants, out-of-state nurses, and internationally educated candidates. If you’re looking for a different license type, use the links below:
- Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) Requirements in New Hampshire
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Requirements in New Hampshire
Use the links below to jump to the section that applies to you.
- LPN Requirements in New Hampshire
- Out-of-State LPN Applicants
- RN Requirements in New Hampshire
- Out-of-State RN Applicants
- International RN Applicants
- License Renewal
- Resources and Organizations
New Hampshire LPN Requirements
LPN Education Paths
To qualify for LPN licensure in New Hampshire, you need to complete a board-approved practical nursing program. The New Hampshire Board of Nursing publishes a current list of approved LPN programs on its website. Programs must include concurrent theory and clinical practice and cover required content areas: nursing fundamentals, parent and child health, and medical/surgical nursing.
There’s also an alternative path for RN students. If you’re enrolled in an approved professional nursing program, you can apply for LPN licensure once you’ve completed 600 hours of nursing education, as long as your coursework includes the required theory and clinical components. This allows RN students to pursue practical nursing licensure before completing their degree.
Read Choosing an LPN Program in New Hampshire for guidance on approved programs and what to consider when selecting one.
LPN Application Process
After graduating or meeting the coursework requirements, you’ll submit an application to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Applications can be completed online through the state’s licensing portal or on paper. The application fee is $120 — verify the current amount on the Board’s website before submitting. A criminal background check is required; you’ll contact the Board to request a fingerprint card. The fee for Live Scan fingerprint processing through the New Hampshire Police varies; confirm the current amount directly with the Board.
NCLEX-PN registration is a separate step handled through Pearson VUE and costs $200. You can apply for a temporary permit to begin working while waiting to take the exam; the additional fee is $20. While practicing under a temporary permit, you hold the title of Graduate Practical Nurse. The permit is valid for a maximum of 120 days.
U.S.-educated candidates must take and pass the NCLEX within a set period after graduation. New Hampshire limits the total number of attempts and requires remediation after repeated failures or extended gaps without testing. Verify current attempt limits and remediation requirements directly with the New Hampshire Board of Nursing before applying, as these rules are subject to change. Applicants seeking licensure based on comparable education from another country are limited to one attempt.
Out-of-State LPN Applicants
LPNs currently licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction can apply for a New Hampshire license by endorsement. You’ll need to provide license verification through the NURSYS database; some states still require paper verification, and the application materials will note which ones.
Endorsement applicants must pass a criminal background check. You can request a temporary permit while the endorsement is processed, but it doesn’t carry multistate practice privileges. To qualify for endorsement, you’ll need to meet New Hampshire’s continuing competency standard: at least 400 hours of nursing practice in the preceding four years and 30 continuing education contact hours in the preceding two years. Nurses who passed the NCLEX within the prior two years are automatically considered to have met the CE requirement.
If you haven’t met the practice hour threshold, New Hampshire offers two re-entry options: retaking the NCLEX or completing a board-approved refresher course. Nurses who choose the refresher course route must apply for a special temporary permit authorizing participation in the clinical portion before they begin.
LPNs educated outside the U.S. and Canada must demonstrate that their training meets New Hampshire’s requirements for theory and clinical content before applying.
RN Requirements in New Hampshire
RN Education
RN applicants in New Hampshire must complete a board-approved nursing program. Programs are available at both the associate degree (ADN) and baccalaureate (BSN) levels within the state. Graduates of U.S. and Canadian programs outside New Hampshire can also qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN after submitting transcripts and application materials to the Board for review.
Read Choosing an RN Program in New Hampshire for additional guidance on program selection and what the Board considers in evaluating applicants. For a broader look at the profession, see RN career paths in New Hampshire.
RN Application Process
After completing your program, you’ll apply for permanent licensure. If you’d like to start working before your exam results come back, you can apply for a temporary license at the same time. The temporary license is available once you’ve completed 1,080 hours of nursing education. While practicing under a temporary permit, you hold the title of Graduate Nurse. A fingerprint-based criminal background check is required for all applicants.
The application fee is $120 — verify the current amount on the Board’s website before submitting. Applying for both the temporary and permanent license simultaneously costs $140. Once the Board approves your application, you’ll register with Pearson VUE to schedule your NCLEX-RN exam. The testing fee is $200. You’ll need to wait for your Authorization to Test (ATT) before booking an exam date. The computer-adaptive test can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center in New Hampshire or another state.
If you don’t pass on the first attempt, you can retake the NCLEX-RN; New Hampshire limits the total number of retakes. Candidates who prefer to pursue licensure at the practical nursing level may take the NCLEX-PN instead.
The New Hampshire Nurses Association isn’t involved in the licensing process but provides continuing education and other resources to the state’s RNs.
Out-of-State RN Applicants
RNs currently licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction apply by endorsement. Application fees are the same as for first-time applicants. You’ll need to meet New Hampshire’s continuing competency requirement, which covers a minimum number of practice hours and continuing education credits during a qualifying period. Nurses who don’t meet the practice hour threshold can complete a structured refresher course or retake the NCLEX.
Nurses who choose the refresher course option must apply for a temporary permit after enrolling but before starting the clinical portion of the course. The New Hampshire Board maintains a list of approved courses on its website. All approved courses include a minimum of 40 hours of instruction and 80 hours of clinical practice.
International RN Applicants
Canadian nurses may qualify for licensure by endorsement without retaking the NCLEX in one specific case: nurses who took the Canadian RN licensing exam in English before July 31, 1995. The Board has a dedicated application form for this route. Eligibility also requires 400 or more hours of nursing practice in the preceding four years.
RNs educated in other foreign countries must either hold CGFNS certification or have their credentials evaluated on a course-by-course basis before applying to the New Hampshire Board.
License Renewal in New Hampshire
New Hampshire RN and LPN licenses are renewed on a two-year cycle through the Board of Nursing’s online licensing portal. Renewal requires meeting the continuing competency standard: a minimum number of practice hours and continuing education contact hours completed during the renewal period. The specific hour requirements apply to endorsement and re-entry applicants as described above; renewal applicants should confirm current CE requirements directly with the Board, as these are subject to change.
Nurses who have been inactive and are returning to practice may need to complete a board-approved refresher course or retake the NCLEX, depending on the length of the lapse. The Board’s website lists current renewal fees, deadlines, and CE requirements.
New Hampshire Nursing Resources
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Hampshire a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. New Hampshire is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses who declare New Hampshire as their primary state of residence receive a multistate license that covers practice in other NLC member states without obtaining separate state licenses. Nurses moving to New Hampshire from a non-compact state can apply for licensure by endorsement.
How long does it take to get an LPN license in New Hampshire?
Processing time depends on when you submit your application and how quickly background check results come back. You can apply for a temporary permit to begin working while waiting to take the NCLEX-PN. That permit is valid for up to 120 days. Once you pass the NCLEX, the Board issues your permanent license.
Can I work as a nurse in New Hampshire while my license application is pending?
Yes, with a temporary permit. Both RN and LPN applicants can apply for a temporary permit after meeting the required education hour thresholds: 1,080 hours for RN candidates and completion of program coursework requirements for LPN candidates. The temporary permit allows supervised practice while you wait for your exam results and permanent license.
What do out-of-state nurses need to transfer their license to New Hampshire?
Nurses currently licensed in another U.S. state apply by endorsement. You’ll need to verify your current license through NURSYS or a paper request, complete a criminal background check, and meet New Hampshire’s continuing competency requirements. Nurses who haven’t practiced the minimum required hours may need to complete a board-approved refresher course or retake the NCLEX before the endorsement is granted.
Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire is a compact state — NH-resident nurses receive a multistate NLC license, which allows practice in other compact states without applying for additional licenses.
- NCLEX is required for first-time applicants — Both RN and LPN candidates must pass the national licensing exam before the New Hampshire Board issues a permanent license.
- Temporary permits allow early practice — Applicants who have met the required education hours can work under a temporary permit while waiting for NCLEX results.
- Out-of-state nurses apply by endorsement — Active licenses from other U.S. states can transfer to New Hampshire, provided you meet the Board’s continuing competency requirements.
- The NH Board of Nursing sets all requirements — fees, eligibility rules, approved programs, and renewal requirements — and they are subject to change; always confirm current rules directly with the Board.
Select your state to find board-approved nursing programs, application links, and current licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.