Travel Nursing RN State Licensing Resource
Obtaining a nursing license, whether initial or through endorsement can be confusing and overwhelming, especially since each state has its own set of individual requirements and timeframes.
With the expansion of the Enhanced Nursing Compact License (eNLC), working in multiple states or accepting travel nursing assignments quickly is much easier. Nurses have the ability to obtain licensure in their state of residence, and also work in an additional 31 states with more pending legislation.
Pro tip: Timeframes for license processing can change without notice. It’s best to apply as soon as possible to ensure your license is issued in plenty of time.
There are two different types of temporary nursing licenses.
The first is a traditional temporary license. These are issued in some states, but only if an individual has a confirmed job offer and needs to start before a permanent license is issued. These licenses are valid for roughly one year. To obtain a temporary license there are additional fees and required paperwork. Temporary licenses can be a good option for travel nurses if they plan on working in a state for a brief period of time and not returning. A temporary license will simply expire, while a permanent license requires renewal fees.
The second type is a walkthrough temporary license and there are only a few states that issue this type of license. The state boards of nursing issue these licenses same-day, sometimes as quickly as an hour. Walkthrough temporary licenses are typically valid between 30 days and six months, depending on the issuing state.
It’s important to discuss with your travel nurse recruiter the different licensing options and which are the best for your current travel nurse assignment.
RNs can earn up to $2,300 a week as a travel nurse. Speak to a recruiter today!
| State | Permanent License Turnaround | Temporary License Turnaround | Compact | Walkthrough | License by Endorsement | LiveScan or fingerprint card required |
| Alabama | Processed once all documents are received | 1 week | Pending (Jan. 2020) | No | Yes | No |
| Alaska | 10 business days | Varies based on individual | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona | 1-2 months | 48 hours for walk-in / 30 days by mail | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Arkansas | 3-5 business days | 4 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| California | 10-12 weeks | 3-4 weeks | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | 6 weeks | 2-4 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Connecticut | 5-7 days once all documents are received | 3 weeks | No | No | Yes | Fingerprint card required |
| Delaware | 4-6 weeks | 2-4 weeks | Yes | No | No | Fingerprint card required |
| District of Columbia | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | 30 days | No temporary license | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Georgia | 15 business days | No temporary license | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Hawaii | 15-20 business days | Same day to 48 hours | No | No | Yes | No |
| Idaho | Processed once all documents are received | 3-5 days | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Illinois | 4-6 weeks | 2-4 weeks | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | 2-4 weeks | 1 week | Pending (Jan. 2020) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Iowa | 5-10 business days, but up to 8 weeks during high volumes | Same as permanent license with low volumes, otherwise 1-2 weeks | Yess | No | No | Yes |
| Kansas | 6-8 weeks | 2 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Kentucky | 2 weeks | 2-3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Louisiana | 4-6 weeks | Same day for walk-in | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Maine | 1-2 weeks | 2 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Maryland | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 4-6 weeks | No temporary permit | Pending | No | Yes | No |
| Michigan | 4-6 weeks | No temporary permit | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | Varies | 5 days | No | No | Yes | Fingerprint card required |
| Mississippi | 7-15 business days | 5-7 days | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Missouri | 10-12 business days | 2 weeks | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Montana | 30-60 days | 2 weeks | Yes | No | No | Fingerprint card required |
| Nebraska | 4-5 weeks | 2-3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Fingerprint card required |
| Nevada | 2-4 weeks | 2-3 weeks | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | 4-6 weeks | 4-6 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| New Jersey | Processed once all documents are received | No temporary permit | Pending | No | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | Processed once all documents are received | 3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| New York | Processed once all documents are received | No temporary permit | No | No | Yes | No |
| North Carolina | 6-8 weeks | 2 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| North Dakota | 7-10 business days | 1-2 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Ohio | 4-6 weeks | 2 weeks | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Varies | 3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Oregon | 3-6 weeks | No temporary permit | No | No | Yes | Fingerprint card required |
| Pennsylvania | 8-10 weeks | 5 weeks | Pending | No | Yes | Fingerprint card required |
| Rhode Island | 1 week | 4 weeks | No | No | No | Fingerprint card required |
| South Carolina | 10-14 business days | Same day or up to 2 weeks | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| South Dakota | 4-6 weeks | 1-2 weeks | Yes | Yes | No | Fingerprint card required from Board of Nursing |
| Tennessee | 6 weeks | 4-6 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Texas | 2 weeks | 2-3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Utah | 2-4 weeks | No temporary permit | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Vermont | 3-5 business days | Same day | No | No | Yes | Fingerprint card required |
| Virginia | 4-6 weeks | 3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Washington | 3 weeks | 3 weeks | No | No | Yes | Fingerprint card required |
| West Virginia | 7-10 business days | 2-3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Wisconsin | 10-15 business days | 2-4 weeks | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Wyoming | Up to 90 days | 2-3 weeks | Yes | No | No | Fingerprint card required |
