# Nursing License Boards

> Independent U.S. nursing licensure research with source-reviewed answers and official regulatory routes for 50 states, Washington DC and five major territories.

NursingLicenseBoards.com does not issue, renew, verify or manage licenses. It is not affiliated with any state Board of Nursing, NCSBN, Nursys or government agency. Always confirm current requirements with the responsible licensing authority.

## Primary navigation

- [Jurisdiction directory](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/): Browse all 56 published licensing jurisdictions.
- [License action router](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/tools/license-router/): Choose a jurisdiction, credential and task.
- [Nursing license lookup](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/resources/license-lookup/): Find public primary-source verification routes.
- [Nursing license renewal](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/resources/license-renewal/): Compare cycles, deadlines, fees and competence.
- [Endorsement route finder](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/tools/endorsement-route/): Compare current and destination jurisdictions.
- [Official source register](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/research/source-register/): Review the primary sources used.
- [Data quality dashboard](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/research/data-quality/): See completeness and scheduled review dates.
- [Citation and reuse guide](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/research/citation-guide/): Cite pages, datasets and API records.

## Machine-readable resources

- [Public states API](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/api/v1/states.json)
- [OpenAPI specification](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/api/v1/openapi.json)
- [Public site inventory](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/api/v1/site-inventory.json)
- [JSON update feed](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/research/updates.json)
- [CSV datasets](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/research/data-downloads/)

## Editorial policy

Facts are current only through the verification date shown. High-stakes facts such as fees, deadlines, CE rules, compact status and practice authority should be checked on the linked official source immediately before action.

## Published jurisdiction guides
- [Alabama nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/alabama/): Use the Alabama Board of Nursing license lookup for a public status check. Renewal occurs in alternating years by credential, and the Board requires 24 contact hours for RN/LPN renewal. Compact eligibility is separate from holding an Alabama single-state license. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Alabama Board of Nursing.
- [Alaska nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/alaska/): Alaska renews RN and LPN licenses on different even-year deadlines, uses a two-of-three competence model, and is not an NLC jurisdiction. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Alaska Board of Nursing.
- [American Samoa nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/american-samoa/): American Samoa is noncompact; detailed current renewal rules are not consistently published online, so the site does not guess them. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: American Samoa Health Services Regulatory Board.
- [Arizona nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/arizona/): Use Nursys to verify Arizona RN, LPN and APRN credentials; use the Arizona Board’s verification system for nursing assistant and related certificates. RN/LPN licenses renew every four years, with the renewal due by April 1 of the applicable year. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Arizona State Board of Nursing.
- [Arkansas nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/arkansas/): Use the ASBN verification instructions to select the correct primary-source system. Arkansas renewals are biennial, and RN/LPN/APRN continuing education generally requires 15 contact hours per two-year cycle unless another accepted option applies. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
- [California nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/california/): Use California DCA License Search for public RN verification and BreEZe-linked services for applications and renewals. Confirm the credential first because LVN and CNA users are routed to different California authorities. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: California Board of Registered Nursing.
- [Colorado nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/colorado/): Use Colorado’s official license lookup for public verification and the Division’s online services for applications and renewal. Colorado does not require routine CE for RN or LPN renewal, but advanced-practice and prescriptive-authority requirements can differ. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Colorado Board of Nursing.
- [Connecticut nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/connecticut/): Use Connecticut eLicense for public verification and online licensing services. RN and LPN licenses generally renew annually; continuing education obligations differ by credential and renewal cycle. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing / Department of Public Health.
- [Delaware nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/delaware/): Use DELPROS for Delaware license records and online transactions. RN and LPN renewal dates are credential-specific, and full two-year CE requirements are 30 hours for RNs and 24 for LPNs. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Delaware Board of Nursing.
- [District of Columbia nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/district-of-columbia/): DC is noncompact and transitioned to a birth-month/birth-year renewal cycle effective June 16, 2024. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: District of Columbia Board of Nursing.
- [Florida nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/florida/): Use Florida’s public Verify a License service for current status and MQA Online Services for renewal or application actions. Florida RN renewal requirements are grouped by expiration cohort and CE is reported through the state tracking system. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Florida Board of Nursing.
- [Georgia nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/georgia/): Use the Georgia Secretary of State license search for public verification and GOALS for applications and renewals. From January 1, 2026, required nursing CE reporting is handled through CE Broker. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Georgia Board of Nursing.
- [Guam nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/guam/): Guam has enacted the NLC but implementation is pending; renewal cycles and CE totals differ by credential. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Guam Board of Nurse Examiners.
- [Hawaii nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/hawaii/): Hawaii uses MyPVL for licensing, requires an approved continuing-competence activity, and does not participate in the NLC. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Hawaii Board of Nursing.
- [Idaho nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/idaho/): Use the Idaho DOPL license search for public status and the Board page for applications and renewals. Idaho is transitioning nursing licenses to a biennial cycle, so confirm the account-specific date rather than relying on an older odd/even schedule. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Idaho Board of Nursing / Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.
- [Illinois nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/illinois/): Use IDFPR License Lookup for current public status and IDFPR’s online renewal system for eligible account actions. Illinois is not an NLC jurisdiction, and endorsement verification for nursing is handled through Nursys. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
- [Indiana nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/indiana/): Use Indiana’s free license search for public verification. RN licenses renew by October 31 in odd-numbered years, and Indiana does not impose a general CE-hour requirement on routine RN/LPN renewal. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Indiana State Board of Nursing.
- [Iowa nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/iowa/): Use Iowa DIAL for license verification and renewal. RN/LPN renewal is generally every three years, requires 36 continuing-education hours and has a published $99 renewal fee. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing — Nursing & Professional Midwifery.
- [Kansas nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/kansas/): Use the KSBN real-time verification system for current license status. Active RN/LPN renewal is biennial, with 30 approved CNE hours and a published $85 renewal fee. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Kansas State Board of Nursing.
- [Kentucky nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/kentucky/): Kentucky nursing licenses renew annually during the Board’s September 15 through October 31 renewal period. RN/LPN continuing competence is commonly met with 14 contact hours during the annual earning period. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Kentucky Board of Nursing.
- [Louisiana nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/louisiana/): Use LSBN resources for RN/APRN actions. Louisiana RN renewal is biennial, with the regular renewal period generally October 1 through December 31 and a late period in January. LPN users must use the separate practical-nurse board. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
- [Maine nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/maine/): Maine RN and LPN licenses renew every two years by the licensee’s birthday. Renewal is online and the Board states there is no grace period; APRNs have additional specialty continuing-education obligations. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Maine State Board of Nursing.
- [Maryland nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/maryland/): Use the Maryland Board public lookup from its official website and the online renewal service for transactions. RN/LPN renewal eligibility includes 1,000 active-practice hours in the preceding five years or a qualifying refresher route. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Maryland Board of Nursing.
- [Massachusetts nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/massachusetts/): Massachusetts nurses complete 15 contact hours per renewal period. RN licenses renew by the nurse’s birthday in even-numbered years and LPN licenses in odd-numbered years. Massachusetts is not yet operational for multistate licensing. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
- [Michigan nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/michigan/): Michigan nursing licenses renew every two years through MiPLUS. RN/LPN renewal requires 25 continuing-education hours, including at least two hours in pain and symptom management. Michigan is not an NLC member jurisdiction. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Michigan Board of Nursing.
- [Minnesota nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/minnesota/): Use the Minnesota Board’s online services for public verification and renewal. After initial registration, RN/LPN licenses generally follow a two-year birth-month cycle; RNs need 24 CE hours and LPNs need 12. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Minnesota Board of Nursing.
- [Mississippi nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/mississippi/): Mississippi RN renewal occurs July 1 through December 31 in even-numbered years; LPN renewal occurs in odd-numbered years. Routine RN CE is generally triggered after more than five years out of practice, while LPN and APRN rules differ. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Mississippi Board of Nursing.
- [Missouri nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/missouri/): Use Nursys QuickConfirm for current Missouri nursing license verification and MOPRO for applications and renewal. RN renewal is generally February 1 through April 30 of odd-numbered years; LPN timing differs. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Missouri State Board of Nursing.
- [Montana nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/montana/): Montana is an NLC jurisdiction and repealed its former general nursing CE requirement effective November 18, 2023. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Montana Board of Nursing.
- [Nebraska nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/nebraska/): Nebraska RN and LPN licenses expire October 31 on alternating years: RNs in even-numbered years and LPNs in odd-numbered years. Renewal requires a DHHS continuing-competency pathway, commonly recent practice plus 20 hours of CE. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — Nursing.
- [Nevada nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/nevada/): Nevada RN and LPN licenses renew on an individual biennial expiration cycle. Renewing RNs and LPNs complete 30 hours of nursing-related CE plus Nevada-specific training obligations. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Nevada State Board of Nursing.
- [New Hampshire nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/new-hampshire/): New Hampshire is an NLC jurisdiction; RN/LPN licenses generally renew every two years with 30 contact hours. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: New Hampshire Board of Nursing.
- [New Jersey nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/new-jersey/): New Jersey RN and LPN licenses renew biennially and generally require 30 contact hours, including one hour addressing prescription opioid drugs. The public MyLicense verification site is separate from renewal and application workflows. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- [New Mexico nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/new-mexico/): New Mexico is an NLC jurisdiction and added a $50 multistate-license fee effective June 1, 2026. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: New Mexico Board of Nursing.
- [New York nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/new-york/): Use NYSED Online License Verification for public status and enforcement information. Use Online Registration Renewal to renew the registration that authorizes practice; a New York nursing license and its registration are not the same thing. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Nursing.
- [North Carolina nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/north-carolina/): Use the NCBON real-time license verification database for current status and the Nurse Portal for applications or renewal. RN and LPN licenses renew every two years by the last day of the birth month, with continuing competence required before renewal. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: North Carolina Board of Nursing.
- [North Dakota nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/north-dakota/): North Dakota is an NLC jurisdiction with a two-year renewal cycle and 12 RN/LPN contact hours. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: North Dakota Board of Nursing.
- [Northern Mariana Islands nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/northern-mariana-islands/): CNMI uses online licensing and requires current substance-use-disorder education; it is not an NLC jurisdiction. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Commonwealth Board of Nurse Examiners.
- [Ohio nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/ohio/): Use eLicense Ohio for public verification and account-based applications or renewal. Ohio licenses and certificates renew every two years on credential-specific schedules; verify the current window before starting. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Ohio Board of Nursing.
- [Oklahoma nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/oklahoma/): Oklahoma licenses generally renew every two years through the Nurse Portal. Renewal requires one Board-recognized continuing-qualification pathway rather than a single universal CE-only rule. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
- [Oregon nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/oregon/): Oregon licenses generally renew every two years by birthday. As of January 1, 2026, RN/LPN/APRN renewal requires one hour of pain-management education in 36 months and two hours of cultural-competency education in 48 months; the new 20-hour RN/LPN total begins in 2028. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Oregon State Board of Nursing.
- [Pennsylvania nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/pennsylvania/): Use PALS to verify a Pennsylvania license and to manage applications or renewals. Pennsylvania’s current renewal guidance also explains how a multistate license affects whether a separate Pennsylvania single-state license should be renewed. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
- [Puerto Rico nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/puerto-rico/): Puerto Rico uses a three-year health-professional renewal cycle and is not an NLC jurisdiction. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Puerto Rico Board of Nurse Examiners.
- [Rhode Island nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/rhode-island/): Rhode Island is an NLC jurisdiction with a two-year cycle and 10 continuing-education hours. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education.
- [South Carolina nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/south-carolina/): Use South Carolina LLR for public lookup, endorsement and renewal. RN/LPN licenses generally renew by April 30 of even-numbered years; a common competence pathway is 30 contact hours, with recognized alternatives available. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: South Carolina Board of Nursing.
- [South Dakota nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/south-dakota/): South Dakota is an NLC jurisdiction with primary-source verification and credential-specific online renewal. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: South Dakota Board of Nursing.
- [Tennessee nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/tennessee/): Tennessee nursing licenses renew every two years. Current Board materials require RN/LPN licensees to maintain evidence of two continued-competence activities, and the listed renewal fee is $140 for RN/LPN transactions after the 2026 fee update. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- [Texas nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/texas/): Use Texas license verification for public status checks and the Texas Nurse Portal for applications, renewals and account actions. Texas participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, but multistate eligibility depends on primary state of residence and uniform requirements. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Texas Board of Nursing.
- [U.S. Virgin Islands nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/us-virgin-islands/): The U.S. Virgin Islands uses birth-month renewal and has enacted the NLC, but implementation remains pending. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure.
- [Utah nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/utah/): Utah RN licenses expire January 31 in odd-numbered years and LPN licenses January 31 in even-numbered years. Renewal requires practice/CE competency options plus one approved suicide-prevention training. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Nursing.
- [Vermont nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/vermont/): Vermont is an NLC jurisdiction and uses OPR online services for nursing licensing and renewal. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Vermont Board of Nursing.
- [Virginia nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/virginia/): Virginia RN and LPN licenses renew every two years. Continued competency can be met through one of several Board pathways, including 30 CE hours or 15 CE hours plus 640 hours of active practice. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Virginia Board of Nursing.
- [Washington nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/washington/): Washington nursing licenses renew annually. Current Board materials list an annual RN single-state renewal fee of $138 and require continuing competency that includes continuing education and active-practice components. Washington participates in the NLC. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Washington State Board of Nursing.
- [West Virginia nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/west-virginia/): West Virginia is an NLC jurisdiction with separate RN/APRN and LPN boards, cycles and competence rules. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board.
- [Wisconsin nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/wisconsin/): Wisconsin RN credentials renew by February 28/29 in even-numbered years and LPN credentials by April 30 in odd-numbered years. DSPS does not list a routine general CE total for ordinary RN/LPN renewal. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services.
- [Wyoming nursing license resources](https://nursinglicenseboards.com/states/wyoming/): Wyoming is an NLC jurisdiction with even-year renewal and five accepted competence pathways. Verified 2026-07-27. Authority: Wyoming State Board of Nursing.

## Answer API pattern

Use `/api/v1/answers/{jurisdiction-slug}/{task}.json` where task is `license-lookup`, `renewal`, `continuing-education`, `endorsement`, `fees`, or `board-contact`. Fee answers exist only where an official fee record is published.