Your Complete Guide to
Nursing Licenses
State-by-state requirements, endorsement guides, NLC compact information, and tools to help you get licensed faster.
Compliance Data for Institutions
Federal regulations require Title IV institutions to disclose whether their programs meet state licensure requirements. We maintain verified, up-to-date data for all 50 states.
34 CFR 668.43
Federal mandate requires disclosure of whether programs meet state licensure requirements in every state where students are located.
SARA Policy 5.2
As of July 2025, NC-SARA extends disclosure requirements to non-credit programs. More programs, more compliance burden.
Constant Changes
State boards update requirements regularly. Your disclosures must stay current to remain compliant.
Explore by Nursing Specialty
Select your nursing specialty to find state-specific licensing requirements, salary data, and career resources.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide basic patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses. CNAs help patients with daily activities, monitor vital signs, and serve as a vital link between patients and the healthcare team.
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Also known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in most states.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary and specialty healthcare services, including diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, and managing patient care.
Certified Nurse Midwife
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide comprehensive prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care, as well as gynecological and reproductive health services.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who administer anesthesia and provide anesthesia care before, during, and after surgical and other medical procedures.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in a particular area of nursing practice and serve as clinical experts, educators, and consultants.
Popular State Guides
Browse comprehensive licensing information by state.
Getting Started Guides
Step-by-step resources to help you navigate your nursing career path.
How to Get Your RN License
Step-by-step guide from nursing school to your first license
Nursing Career Paths
From LVN to RN to APRN - explore advancement opportunities
APRN Guide
Become a Nurse Practitioner, Midwife, Anesthetist, or CNS
Transfer Your License (Endorsement)
Move your nursing license to another state
Understanding the NLC Compact
Practice in 36+ states with one multistate license
NCLEX-RN Exam Guide
Everything you need to know about the licensing exam
Find Nursing Programs
Search accredited nursing programs across all 50 states.
Search and compare accredited nursing programs across the country. Find the right ADN, BSN, MSN, or DNP program for your career goals.
Free Nursing Tools
Interactive tools to help you plan your nursing career and track your licensing requirements.
Enterprise Solutions Coming Soon
License verification APIs, compliance monitoring, and licensure acceleration tools built specifically for staffing agencies and healthcare employers.
Explore Enterprise ServicesWork in 36+ States with One License
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to have one multistate license with the privilege to practice in their home state and other compact states.
- No additional license applications needed
- Work in-person or via telehealth
- Ideal for travel nurses
NLC Member States Include:
Trusted by Nursing Students & Professionals
Our information is verified against official state board of nursing sources and updated regularly to ensure accuracy.