Reinstatement vs renewal — which do I need?

Renewal keeps a current or recently-expired license active within a grace window. Reinstatement applies once the license has been expired or inactive beyond that window. Your board of nursing defines exactly where the line is, so confirm your status with it.

Do I get compact privilege back after reinstatement?

Only if the reinstated license is a multistate license in your primary state of residence. Confirm the license type on Nursys after reinstatement before relying on compact privilege in other states.

CompactStates

Nursing license reinstatement

Reinstatement is how you restore a nursing license that has lapsed or been inactive too long to simply renew. It is more involved than renewal, and the exact steps are set by your board.

How do I reinstate a nursing license?

You reinstate a nursing license by applying to your board of nursing — reinstatement is the route when a license has been expired or inactive longer than the board allows for ordinary renewal. It typically involves an application, back continuing education, and fees, and sometimes proof of recent practice or a refresher. If the license was a multistate one, confirm the reinstated license is again multistate before relying on compact privilege.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

Who this applies to

Nurses returning to practice after a lapse, those whose license expired past the renewal grace period, and anyone whose license was placed inactive and now wants it active.

The general process

Confirm the license’s current status on Nursys.
Ask your board whether you need renewal or full reinstatement — the cutoff is board-set.
Complete any required continuing education, refresher, or practice-hours requirement.
Submit the reinstatement application and fees through the board.
Do not practise until the license shows active again.

What varies by state

Whether reinstatement is even required (vs late renewal), CE and practice-hour requirements, fees, and whether a refresher course is needed all vary by board and change. Confirm with your board — we do not publish these figures.

Frequently asked questions

It is the process of restoring a license that has lapsed, expired, or been inactive too long to renew normally. It usually requires an application, back continuing education, fees, and sometimes proof of recent practice — the specifics are set by each state board.