Endorsement vs. examination vs. the compact
- By examination: for new nurses who haven’t passed the NCLEX yet — you take the exam as part of your first license. See how to get a compact license.
- By endorsement: for nurses who already passed the NCLEX and hold a license somewhere — you carry that credential into a new state. No second NCLEX.
- Compact privilege: if your home state and the destination are both compact states and you hold a multistate license, you may not need to apply at all — the privilege travels with your license.
When you need endorsement (and when you don’t)
You need endorsement when the compact doesn’t solve the problem: the destination is a non-compact state, your home state isn’t in the compact, or you’ve genuinely moved and your primary state of residence has changed to a new state. If both states are compact and you hold a multistate license, check the compact state checker first — you may already be covered without a new application.
What the endorsement process generally involves
Each board runs its own process, but endorsement applications usually ask for a similar set of things:
- Proof of an active license in another U.S. state or territory.
- Verification of that license to the new board — often through Nursys license verification.
- Verification of your original NCLEX passage and nursing education.
- A criminal background check (fingerprint-based in many states).
- The state’s application fee, and sometimes continuing-education proof.
Fees and processing times are set by each board and vary widely, so confirm both on the destination board’s official website — find it on any state page.
Should you request a single-state or multistate license?
When you endorse into a compact state that is your new primary residence, you can request the multistate license type if you meet the uniform licensure requirements — that’s the better choice if you’ll practice across state lines. When you endorse into a state that isn’t your primary residence, or into a non-compact state, you’ll receive a single-state license good only there. See compact vs single-state to decide.