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How to look up and verify a nursing license in Virginia

Verifying a nursing license in Virginia (VA) takes two trusted sources: Nursys and the state board. Here is how, and what the result tells you.

How do I verify a nursing license in Virginia?

Look the license up on Nursys QuickConfirm, the national verification system, and confirm details with the Virginia Board of Nursing. Because Virginia is a compact state, a Virginia license can be single-state or multistate — Nursys shows which, and that difference decides whether you can practice in other states.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

What Nursys shows

Nursys QuickConfirm reports the license type (single-state or multistate), current status, and expiration for participating boards. It is the fastest way to confirm whether a license carries compact privilege.

Checking with the Virginia Board of Nursing

For anything Nursys does not show — or to confirm official requirements — go to the Virginia Board of Nursing. The board is the authority on Virginia licensure; we do not make licensure determinations.

Could a Virginia license be multistate?

Only if it was issued or upgraded on or after January 19, 2018 — the date the Virginia Board of Nursing began issuing multistate licenses to Virginia residents. A license issued before then was single-state when granted, so a nurse holding an older Virginia license who has never upgraded will still verify as single-state no matter how long they have been licensed here.

Beyond Nursys, Virginia publishes its own primary-source lookup: Virginia DHP License Lookup. Where the two disagree, the issuing board controls.

What trips people up in Virginia: Two things employers should know. Virginia states outright that this lookup IS primary-source verification of the credential and meets Joint Commission requirements — few boards commit to that in writing, and it means a printed result can stand as the file copy. But the free tier is RATE-LIMITED, and it is sized for occasional individual checks. Run a batch of hires through it and you will hit an error that looks like a broken system or a missing nurse; it is neither. Volume users are expected to take the subscription or the bulk license-database download. Covers all 62 professions DHP regulates, not just nursing.

RN, LPN/LVN, and APRN

Verification works the same for RN and LPN/VN licenses. APRN authority is separate and verified per state — see APRN and the compact.

What your result means

Nursys and the Virginia Board of Nursing tell you what a license is. They do not tell you what it lets you do in another state — that is a compact question.

Covered by Nursys for participating boards.

2. What does the verification show?

Pick a result and two jurisdictions to see what it means.

This explains what a verification result means for practicing across state lines. It does not verify a license and does not decide eligibility — the board of nursing does both, and this tool points you at the right one.

What usually comes next

Next-step checklist

  • Look the license up on Nursys QuickConfirm (nursys.com).
  • Note whether it reads single-state or multistate.
  • Confirm anything unclear with the Virginia Board of Nursing.
  • If it is multistate, use the checker to see where you can practice.

Frequently asked questions

Use Nursys QuickConfirm, which shows license status, type, and expiration for Virginia, or check directly with the Virginia Board of Nursing. We do not store or look up individual license records.

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