New York Nursing License Lookup

Verify any New York (NY) registered nurse license for free. Below is the official New York State Board for Nursing lookup tool plus a step-by-step guide on how to use it.

NLC Pending

Official New York License Verification

Hosted by the New York State Board for Nursing. Free, public, and updated in real time.

Open New York License Lookup

Official source: New York State Board for Nursing

What you'll need to look up a New York nurse license

The nurse's first and last name (exactly as registered), OR
The nurse's license number
No login or account required

How to look up a nurse license in New York

1
Visit the New York Board of Nursing license verification tool (link above).
2
Enter the nurse's first and last name exactly as registered, or enter the license number if you have it.
3
Submit the search and review the results list.
4
Click into the matching record to see license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions.

What each license status means

Status	Meaning
Active	Licensed and currently eligible to practice.
Inactive	Not currently practicing, but the license can be reactivated.
Lapsed / Expired	License was not renewed on time; nurse cannot practice until renewed.
Suspended	Disciplinary action in place; practice is temporarily prohibited.
Revoked	License was permanently terminated by the state board.

Looking up a multistate compact license?

New York does not issue multistate compact licenses directly. If you're trying to verify a nurse who practices in New York under a multistate license from another NLC state, use Nursys QuickConfirm, the national database operated by NCSBN.

Open Nursys QuickConfirm

Checking for disciplinary actions

The New York State Board for Nursing lookup tool shows any disciplinary actions (suspensions, revocations, probation, consent orders) as part of the public record. If you need more detail on a specific disciplinary case, most state boards publish formal action documents on their enforcement page.

Visit the New York State Board for Nursing website →

New York License Lookup FAQs

How do I look up a nurse license in New York?

Use the official New York State Board for Nursing license verification tool. Enter the nurse's full name (or license number if you have it) and the tool will show current license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. Results are free and updated in real time from the state board's records.

Is New York nursing license lookup free?

Yes. The New York State Board for Nursing provides free public license verification. There is no cost to search, and you do not need to create an account for a basic lookup.

What does each license status mean?

Active means the nurse is licensed and in good standing. Inactive means the license is not currently in use but may be reactivated. Lapsed or Expired means the license was not renewed on time. Suspended or Revoked means disciplinary action was taken by the board and the nurse cannot legally practice.

Can I use New York license lookup results for hiring decisions?

No. Information from this page and from state board lookup tools is for general reference only. It is not a consumer report and cannot be used to make employment, tenant, credit, or insurance decisions. Employers who need FCRA-compliant background checks should use a licensed consumer reporting agency.

How current is the license information in New York?

The New York State Board for Nursing maintains the authoritative record and typically updates license status within 24-48 hours of any change. Nursys (NCSBN's national database) also pulls from this state board, so data you see on Nursys may lag the state board by up to two business days.

Can I look up a multistate (compact) license from New York?

New York is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so licenses issued in New York are single-state only. You can still verify the license through the New York State Board for Nursing directly.

Board information last verified: February 13, 2026