Nursing License in North Dakota 2026
The North Dakota Board of Nursing licenses LPNs and RNs through its online Nurse Portal. Both paths require completing a Board-approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX. North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, meaning a multistate license issued here is valid in other NLC member states.
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The North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON) handles all licensing activity for practical and registered nurses in the state, covering initial licensure, endorsement from other states, and ongoing renewal. Applications for all license types are submitted exclusively through the Board’s online Nurse Portal. The steps differ depending on whether you’re applying by exam (first-time applicants) or by endorsement (already licensed elsewhere).
Use the links below to jump to the section that fits your situation. This page covers LPN and RN licensure only. For Certified Nurse Aide requirements in North Dakota or APRN licensing in North Dakota, use those dedicated pages.
- How to get an LPN license in North Dakota (by exam)
- LPN license by endorsement
- How to get an RN license in North Dakota (by exam)
- RN license by endorsement
- Requirements for internationally educated nurses
- North Dakota and the Nurse Licensure Compact
- License renewal and continuing education
- Nursing salaries in North Dakota
- Professional and student organizations
LPN Requirements in North Dakota
Education
To qualify for an LPN license by exam in North Dakota, you need to complete a Board-approved practical nursing program. Programs can be based in North Dakota or approved by another state board, as long as they include supervised clinical experience that meets the NDBON’s curriculum standards. In-state options range from certificate programs to associate degree tracks. Some community colleges, including Bismarck State College and Lake Region State College, offer LPN programs in North Dakota. Contact information for all approved programs is available through the NDBON website.
Application Process
Once you’ve completed your program, all licensing steps are handled through the Board’s online Nurse Portal at ndbon.boardsofnursing.org. Paper applications are no longer accepted. The Board requires four things before you can sit for the NCLEX-PN:
- Submit the Initial LPN License by Exam application through the Nurse Portal
- Have your official transcript sent directly to the NDBON from your nursing program (electronic delivery via Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse is preferred for faster processing)
- Register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE at nclex.com
- Complete a Criminal History Record Check (CHRC)
Current application and NCLEX registration fees are listed in the Nurse Portal. Once the Board processes your application and your transcript is received, you’ll be made eligible to test and will receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE by email. The ATT is valid for 90 days.
Graduate Practical Nurse Work Authorization
If you complete all four steps above within 60 days of your degree being awarded, the Board will issue a 90-day Graduate Nurse Work Authorization at no additional cost. This lets you work under the title Graduate Practical Nurse (G.P.N.) while your NCLEX results and CHRC are processed. Candidates who have tested under another Board, who missed the 60-day window, or who have prior failed NCLEX attempts are not eligible for this authorization. The authorization expires when 90 days pass or when you receive your exam results, whichever comes first.
LPN License by Endorsement
If you already hold an LPN license from another state, obtained by passing the NCLEX-PN or its predecessor, the SBTPE, you can apply for a North Dakota license by endorsement through the Nurse Portal. You’ll need to provide official transcripts and license verification from the first state where you were licensed. If that state doesn’t participate in NURSYS, you’ll need to complete the Board’s Verification of Licensure form and mail it to that state for completion.
The Board can issue a temporary permit once it receives your application, transcripts, and fee. A CHRC is required, but the permit may be issued before the results come back. You can check application status online through the Nurse Portal.
One important eligibility requirement: endorsement applicants must satisfy one of three practice conditions. You need either 400 hours of licensed nursing practice in the past four years, completion of your nursing program within the past four years (verified by transcript), or completion of a Board-approved refresher course within the past four years. If none of these apply, contact the NDBON before applying.
RN Requirements in North Dakota
Education
North Dakota accepts both ADN and BSN graduates for initial RN licensure. The program must be approved by the NDBON or by another state board with equivalent standards, including the same minimum clinical hours required of North Dakota programs. If you’re enrolled in an out-of-state program and want to complete clinical fieldwork in North Dakota, that program must be authorized to place students in the state. Approved RN programs in North Dakota are listed on the NDBON website.
Application Process
RN applicants follow the same four-step process as LPN applicants, using the Nurse Portal for all submissions. You’ll need to complete the Initial RN License by Exam application, have official transcripts sent to the Board, register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-RN, and complete a CHRC. Electronic transcripts via Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse are the Board’s preferred method for faster processing.
One timing detail specific to the CHRC: you must initiate it within 60 days of graduation to be eligible for a Graduate Nurse Work Authorization. The Board can issue the authorization before CHRC results come back, but the 60-day window from your graduation date is firm. If you completed a CHRC previously for a prior LPN application, note that it must have been done within the last 90 days to carry over. Otherwise, a new CHRC is required.
Graduate Nurse Work Authorization
Like LPN candidates, RN candidates who complete all requirements within 60 days of graduation can receive a 90-day Graduate Nurse Work Authorization. During this period, you work under the title Graduate Nurse (G.N.). There are some restrictions on duties under this status. The NDBON’s website outlines what G.N. holders can and cannot do independently. Authorization status is verified through the Nurse Portal. There’s no paper permit. If you pass the NCLEX-RN, your license is typically verifiable online within a short time after results are processed, provided the CHRC has also cleared.
RN License by Endorsement
RNs licensed elsewhere who passed the NCLEX-RN (or SBTPE) can apply in North Dakota by endorsement. The application, submitted through the Nurse Portal, requires official transcripts, license verification from your first state of licensure, and a CHRC. The Board can issue a temporary permit once it receives your application, transcripts, and fee.
If you’ve been out of nursing practice and haven’t accumulated at least 400 hours in the past four years, you’ll need to meet the Board’s practice requirement before licensure. The NDBON accepts three ways to satisfy it: 400 hours of licensed practice in the past four years, completion of your nursing program within the past four years (verified by transcript), or completion of a Board-approved refresher course within the past four years. The Nursing Education Scholarship (NES) program offers funding assistance for nurses pursuing refresher training. Details and applications are available at ndbon.org/scholarship/nes.
International Nurses
Nurses educated outside the United States who have not yet obtained a U.S. nursing license must complete a credentials review process before the NDBON can evaluate their application. The current requirements for foreign-educated nurses applying by exam are detailed on the Board’s website at ndbon.org/licensing/exam/exam-international (last updated May 2026). Requirements in this area can change. Contact the NDBON directly to confirm what credentials evaluation is needed for your specific country of education before beginning the application.
A U.S. Social Security number is required for licensure in North Dakota under state law (NDCC 43-50-02). This requirement applies to all applicants regardless of country of origin.
North Dakota and the Nurse Licensure Compact
North Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to hold a single multistate license valid for practice in all other NLC member states, currently more than 40. If North Dakota is your primary state of residence, your license is issued as a multistate license by default.
If you already hold a multistate license with another compact state as your home state, you can work in North Dakota without applying for a separate ND license. However, if North Dakota becomes your primary residence, you’ll need to apply for a North Dakota license within a reasonable period. At that point, your original state’s multistate license no longer covers you for practice purposes. Contact the NDBON directly if you’re navigating a residency change between compact states.
License Renewal in North Dakota
North Dakota nursing licenses expire on December 31 of each renewal year. Renewal is biennial, meaning every two years. The Nurse Portal opens for online renewal on October 1 and closes on December 31. The Board recommends renewing early to ensure all documentation is in order before the deadline.
To renew, all LPN and RN licensees must meet two requirements:
- Practice hours: At least 400 hours of nursing practice within the preceding four years. Hours practiced under another regulated professional license don’t count. Nurses who’ve completed a refresher course in the past year, or who graduated from a nursing program in the last four years with fewer than 400 hours, are exempt from this requirement for that renewal cycle.
- Continuing education: 12 contact hours within the preceding two years. First-time renewers who received initial licensure by exam are exempt. The Board considers academic coursework to satisfy the CE requirement for the first renewal period.
CE audits are handled internally by the NDBON. You’re not required to use a third-party tracking service like CE Broker, though you may use one for your own records. Renewal applications are submitted through the Nurse Portal. Paper renewals are not accepted.
If you haven’t practiced in four or more years, you’ll need to apply for reactivation rather than standard renewal. Reactivation requires Board approval and typically involves proof of a refresher course or equivalent competency demonstration. Contact the Board at (701) 751-3000 for reactivation guidance.
Nursing Salaries in North Dakota
North Dakota RNs earned a median annual salary of $80,730 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, below the national median of $97,550 but consistent with cost-of-living differences in the region. LPNs in North Dakota earned a median of $62,300 over the same period, slightly below the national median of $64,400.
The state’s job outlook is strong. Projections Central estimates 10.4% employment growth for registered nurses in North Dakota between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 770 job openings per year. LPN employment is projected to grow 8.9% over the same period, with about 230 openings annually.
| Occupation | ND Median Wage | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $80,730 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $62,300 | $64,400 |
| Occupation | ND Growth (2022-2032) | Avg Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 10.4% | 770 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 8.9% | 230 |
Professional Organizations in North Dakota
The following organizations support nurses and nursing students in North Dakota:
- North Dakota Board of Nursing — the state licensing authority for LPNs, RNs, and APRNs
- North Dakota Nurses Association — the state professional association affiliated with the American Nurses Association
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does North Dakota accept out-of-state nursing programs for licensure?
Yes. The NDBON accepts programs approved by another state’s board of nursing, provided they include supervised clinical experience comparable in scope and hours to North Dakota-approved programs. If you attended an out-of-state program and want to complete clinical rotations in North Dakota, that program must be specifically authorized to place students there.
How long does it take to get a North Dakota nursing license?
Timeline depends on how quickly you complete the four required steps through the Nurse Portal: application, transcript submission, NCLEX registration, and CHRC. Once eligible to test, Pearson VUE issues your ATT by email, and you can schedule your exam. After passing, your license is typically verifiable online within days, provided your CHRC has also cleared. Electronic transcript delivery speeds up the process.
What is the Nurse Licensure Compact, and does it apply in North Dakota?
The NLC is a multistate agreement that allows nurses to hold one license valid for practice in all member states. North Dakota is an NLC member, so a license issued here is a multistate license if North Dakota is your primary state of residence. If you move to North Dakota from another compact state, you’ll need to transfer your license. Your original state’s multistate license no longer applies once you establish residency here.
How many CE hours are required to renew a North Dakota nursing license?
LPNs and RNs must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education every two years. First-time renewers who received their initial license by examination are exempt. The Board treats academic coursework as satisfying the CE requirement for the first renewal cycle. All licensees must also show at least 400 hours of nursing practice within the preceding four years.
Can I work as a nurse in North Dakota while waiting for my license?
Yes, if you qualify for a Graduate Nurse Work Authorization. First-time applicants who complete all Nurse Portal requirements within 60 days of their graduation date receive a 90-day work authorization automatically. This covers you while your NCLEX results and CHRC are processed. If you don’t meet the 60-day deadline or if you’ve previously tested under another Board, you’re not eligible for this authorization.
Key Takeaways
- All applications go through the Nurse Portal — the NDBON no longer accepts paper applications for initial licensure, endorsement, or renewal.
- NCLEX-PN for LPNs, NCLEX-RN for RNs — both exams are administered by Pearson VUE after the Board confirms your eligibility.
- North Dakota is an NLC compact state — a license issued here is valid in all other Nurse Licensure Compact member states if North Dakota is your primary residence.
- Renewal requires 12 CE hours and 400 practice hours — both requirements apply every two-year cycle, with limited exemptions for new graduates and recent program completers.
- Endorsement candidates need 400 hours of recent practice — if you haven’t practiced in the past four years, a Board-approved refresher course is required before licensure.
Looking for an approved LPN or RN program in North Dakota? Use the tool below to compare program options and get application information for your area.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.