North Carolina Nursing License Requirements 2026
The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) licenses RNs and LPNs in the state. Both require completing a board-approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX. North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact member, so nurses who hold a multistate license in another compact state can practice in NC without a separate NC license.
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NCBON sets the requirements for both licensed practical nurses and registered nurses in North Carolina. There are two routes to a first license: examination for new graduates and endorsement for nurses already licensed elsewhere. All three bordering states, Tennessee, Virginia, and South Carolina, are also compact members, which makes transfers across those borders straightforward for nurses who hold multistate licenses.
Use the links below to jump to requirements and application steps for each license type.
- LPN first-time license (examination)
- LPN license by endorsement
- RN first-time license (examination)
- RN license by endorsement
- Internationally educated nurses
- License renewal
For other North Carolina nursing credentials, see Nurse Aide requirements in North Carolina or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license requirements in North Carolina. Not sure whether LPN or RN is the right path? See comparing RN and LPN credential paths.
LPN Requirements in North Carolina
Education for LPNs
A prospective LPN must complete a practical nursing program approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. These programs are typically three semesters in length. NCBON maintains a list of approved in-state programs on its website. Out-of-state programs are acceptable as long as they’re approved in the state where they’re located. For an overview of what LPNs do in North Carolina and where they work, see Practical Nursing in North Carolina.
North Carolina does not accept military training toward an LPN license by examination unless it was completed as part of an approved nursing program. NCBON recognizes one approved military program: the US Army Practical Nursing Program 91WM6.
For a closer look at program options, see LPN Programs in North Carolina.
LPN Application Process
North Carolina does not issue temporary permits to candidates applying by examination, so new graduates should start the process as soon as they complete their program. The licensure application is submitted online through the NCBON Nurse Gateway. Fingerprints are required and are taken electronically at Live Scan centers across the state.
Candidates must also register separately with Pearson VUE to schedule the NCLEX-PN. Current fees are $75 for the application, $38 for the Live Scan criminal background check, and $200 for the NCLEX-PN exam. After receiving authorization to test, candidates can schedule at any Pearson VUE location. Testing centers in North Carolina include Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem. Out-of-state centers are also available.
North Carolina issues licenses electronically. No certificate arrives in the mail. Candidates verify license status online after it’s been issued. The NCBON new graduates section includes email contacts for application questions.
LPN License by Endorsement
LPNs licensed in another state after completing an approved nursing program may apply for a North Carolina license by endorsement. Candidates whose licenses were based on non-approved military training should contact NCBON directly to discuss eligibility before applying.
The endorsement application is completed online. The fee is $150. A temporary license may be issued, which can allow the candidate to begin work while the permanent license is being processed. Candidates should verify temporary license issuance through the NCBON online system before starting work.
RN License Requirements in North Carolina
RN Education Requirements
A prospective RN must complete a professional nursing program approved by NCBON or by the board in another state. Online programs are acceptable as long as the program is approved or accredited where it’s located. NCBON approves programs at the associate, diploma, and baccalaureate levels. Candidates who already hold a college degree may be admitted to an accelerated master’s-entry program and earn the RN license en route to advanced practice.
For help comparing program options, see RN Programs in North Carolina.
RN Application Process
The RN licensure application is submitted online through NCBON. The application fee is $75. In-state candidates complete fingerprinting via Live Scan and submit a separate online application for the background check. The NCLEX-RN exam fee is $200 and can also be paid online. Candidates may request mail delivery for exam registration if they prefer.
After submitting all materials, the candidate waits for authorization to test before scheduling the NCLEX-RN. Authorization arrives by email or mail. After passing the exam, the license is issued electronically and can be verified online.
The North Carolina Nurses Association offers professional resources for registered nurses, including a mentorship program for new RNs. Membership is not a licensing requirement.
RN License by Endorsement
RNs currently licensed in another state may apply for a North Carolina license by endorsement. The fee is $150. A temporary license may be issued to allow the RN to begin work while the endorsement is in process. It is valid for up to six months or until the permanent license is issued, whichever comes first. Before the temporary license can be issued, the criminal background check must be received by NCBON.
License verification is handled through NURSYS for most states. The fee is $30 per license type per state. For states not participating in NURSYS, the applicant contacts the originating state board directly to request verification sent to NCBON.
Internationally Educated Nurses
International candidates must have their nursing education evaluated by one of two organizations approved by NCBON: the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) or Josef Silny & Associates.
An English proficiency exam is required in most cases. Nurses educated in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Guam, Ireland, the Mariana Islands, New Zealand, Samoa, the United Kingdom, or the Virgin Islands are exempt. Nurses from Puerto Rico and Quebec are not exempt and must demonstrate proficiency. NCBON accepts two exams: the IELTS and the TOEFL.
International candidates must satisfy both the education evaluation and English proficiency requirements before NCBON will authorize them to sit for the NCLEX. A criminal background check and a Social Security number are required before the license is issued, though these steps don’t have to be completed before NCLEX authorization.
License Renewal in North Carolina
North Carolina RN and LPN licenses renew on a two-year cycle. Each license expires on the last day of the nurse’s birth month in the renewal year. NCBON has no grace period. A license that lapses at the end of the birth month is placed on expired status and must go through reinstatement, not renewal.
To renew, nurses must satisfy one of eight continuing competence options defined by NCBON. The two most common are: 30 contact hours of CE related to nursing practice, or 15 contact hours of CE combined with 640 hours of active practice within the previous two years. Several other combinations involving national certification, academic coursework, or nursing publications also satisfy the requirement. The renewal window opens 90 days before the expiration date. The renewal fee is $100 for both RNs and LPNs.
CE documentation is not submitted with the renewal application. NCBON uses a random audit system, so nurses should retain records of completed CE hours and submit them only if selected for an audit. Renewal is completed online through the NCBON Nurse Portal.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does North Carolina participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. North Carolina is a full NLC member. Nurses who are residents of another compact state and hold a multistate license can practice in North Carolina without applying for a separate NC license. All three states bordering North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and South Carolina, are also compact members.
How long does it take to get a nursing license in North Carolina?
Processing time varies by application type. New graduates applying by examination should allow several weeks from application submission through NCLEX scheduling and license issuance. Endorsement candidates may be eligible for a temporary license that allows work while the permanent license is processed. The temporary license is valid for up to six months or until the permanent license is issued.
What are the current fees for a North Carolina nursing license?
First-time applicants pay $75 for the NCLEX application and $200 for the exam itself. The Live Scan fingerprinting fee is $38. Endorsement applicants pay $150. Fees are set by NCBON and may change, so verify current amounts on the NCBON website before applying.
Can internationally educated nurses get licensed in North Carolina?
Yes. International candidates must first have their credentials evaluated by CGFNS or Josef Silny & Associates. Most will also need to pass an English proficiency exam, either the IELTS or the TOEFL. Once those requirements are met, NCBON can authorize them to take the NCLEX.
What are the continuing education requirements for NC license renewal?
NCBON requires nurses to complete one of eight continuing competence options each two-year renewal cycle. The most common are 30 contact hours of CE related to nursing practice, or 15 contact hours combined with 640 hours of active practice. National certification, academic coursework, and nursing publications also qualify. CE documentation is not submitted at renewal. NCBON verifies compliance through random audits. The renewal fee is $100.
Key Takeaways
- Two routes to licensure. New graduates apply by examination (NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN). Nurses already licensed in another state apply by endorsement and pay a $150 application fee.
- North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact member. Nurses with a multistate license from any compact state can practice in NC without applying separately to NCBON. All bordering states are compact members.
- No temporary permits for exam applicants. LPN candidates applying by examination should begin the process promptly after graduation. There is no temporary permit while the application is pending.
- Licenses are issued electronically. North Carolina does not mail license certificates. Verify license status through the NCBON online system.
- Renewal is every two years with no grace period. Licenses expire on the last day of the birth month. The renewal fee is $100. NCBON requires completion of one of eight continuing competence options per cycle, with 30 CE hours or 15 hours plus active practice being the most common.
Select your state below to find approved nursing programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.