Direct answer
Virginia RN/LPN Application Instructions is the reviewed Virginia endorsement route on www.dhp.virginia.gov. Apply for the exact destination credential; an existing license or compact privilege does not automatically create Virginia authority.
Virginia factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Virginia Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial |
| Renewal deadline | Renew by the expiration shown for the license. Late renewal adds a credential-specific fee. |
| Continuing competence | Virginia requires one accepted continued-competency option for biennial renewal. Options include 30 CE hours or 15 CE hours plus 640 hours of active practice, along with certification, academic, refresher, research, publication and teaching pathways. |
| Fees | Virginia lists RN renewal at $140 and LPN renewal at $120; late fees are additional. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APRN |
| Phone | 804-367-4515 |
| Physical location | 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233-1463 |
For Virginia, 7 primary official source records and 11 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide. Source verification dates are shown separately from editorial release dates.
Endorsement route
Virginia RN/LPN Application Instructions is the reviewed Virginia endorsement route on www.dhp.virginia.gov. Apply for the exact destination credential; an existing license or compact privilege does not automatically create Virginia authority.
How the existing license is verified
Virginia Board of Nursing directs applicants to the current verification instructions associated with Virginia RN/LPN Application Instructions. Compare those instructions with Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup before ordering a paid verification.
For endorsement involving Virginia, follow Virginia Board of Nursing instructions for Nursys or direct verification. The receiving jurisdiction decides which verification it accepts.
Application sequence
- Submit the online endorsement application.
- Pay the credential-specific application fee.
- Arrange original-state license verification.
- Complete criminal background-check requirements.
- Verify issuance and multistate designation before practice.
Complete application checklist
- Choose the correct Virginia pathway: examination, endorsement, renewal, reinstatement, temporary permit or credential conversion.
- Create or use the account named by Virginia Board of Nursing; do not submit the same application through multiple portals.
- For Virginia, match the legal name across the application, identification, education records, background check and license verification.
- Follow the Virginia instructions for transcripts, Nursys or other verification, fingerprints, citizenship or presence documents and fees.
- Review the current fee displayed by the Virginia authority before payment: Virginia lists RN renewal at $140 and LPN renewal at $120; late fees are additional.
- For Virginia, save application confirmations and respond to deficiency or secure-message requests through the official account.
- Before practice, verify that the required Virginia license, permit or multistate authority appears in the current public record.
- Select the exact credential and application type.
- For Virginia, complete identity, legal-presence and education requirements requested by the authority.
- For Virginia, arrange official transcript, license verification and background-check items where required.
NCLEX / examination
New graduates seeking Virginia licensure should apply through Virginia Board of Nursing, satisfy the jurisdiction’s education and eligibility review, and register for NCLEX through the official NCLEX service. The license is not issued merely because the exam was passed.
Temporary permit
A temporary permit is not available in every jurisdiction. When offered, confirm eligibility, expiration, employer limits and whether the permanent application must already be complete. For Virginia, do not assume that an application receipt, job offer or out-of-state license creates temporary practice authority; confirm the issued permit or compact privilege in writing.
Reinstatement
Expired, lapsed, inactive or revoked credentials may require a different process from ordinary renewal. Use the status-specific official route and do not practice until authority is restored. A lapsed, inactive, retired, suspended or revoked Virginia credential can require a different process from ordinary renewal.
Compact check
Compact jurisdiction. Confirm primary state of residence and the issued license designation before relying on compact authority.
Wait until the destination jurisdiction has issued the required license, permit or valid compact practice authority.
Common endorsement delays
Endorsement application is delayed
Confirm that Virginia Board of Nursing received the correct existing-license verification (Use Nursys for participating jurisdictions; otherwise have the jurisdiction provide verification as directed.), transcripts, identity documents, fingerprints, fee and any credential-specific items.
Verification purchased too early
Follow the destination authority instructions before ordering Nursys or another paid verification so the correct credential and destination receive it.
Compact assumption
Virginia is recorded as an operational Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction in this dataset. Verify that the individual public record is actually designated multistate and that the nurse maintains Virginia or another qualifying compact state as the primary state of residence. Check the license designation in Nursys and confirm the primary state of residence before cross-state or telehealth practice.
Fraud and privacy safety
- Begin every Virginia transaction from a reviewed authority domain (www.dhp.virginia.gov, www.license.dhp.virginia.gov, dhp.virginiainteractive.org) or a source-reviewed link on this guide.
- Do not give a caller payment-card details, a password or a one-time code merely because the caller claims to represent Virginia Board of Nursing.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through 804-367-4515 or the secure Virginia account.
- Use Virginia License Lookup to confirm current status rather than a private lookup page or emailed screenshot.
- Upload identity, background, education or legal documents only through a secure method explicitly named by Virginia Board of Nursing.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Virginia instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For Virginia, report a suspected licensing impersonation or phishing attempt to the authority and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement channel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a Virginia nursing license by endorsement?
Virginia RN/LPN Application Instructions is the reviewed Virginia endorsement route on www.dhp.virginia.gov. Apply for the exact destination credential; an existing license or compact privilege does not automatically create Virginia authority.
How is my existing license verified?
Virginia Board of Nursing directs applicants to the current verification instructions associated with Virginia RN/LPN Application Instructions. Compare those instructions with Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup before ordering a paid verification.
Can I practice after submitting the application?
No. Do not begin practice until the destination authority has issued the required license, permit or valid compact privilege.
Is endorsement the same as transferring a license?
No. The destination jurisdiction evaluates a new application; the original license remains subject to its own rules.
Will I need fingerprints or a background check?
Follow the destination checklist. Many jurisdictions require fingerprints or background checks, but the vendor and method differ.
Should I order Nursys verification automatically?
For endorsement involving Virginia, follow Virginia Board of Nursing instructions for Nursys or direct verification. The receiving jurisdiction decides which verification it accepts.
Can I receive a temporary permit?
A temporary permit is not available in every jurisdiction. When offered, confirm eligibility, expiration, employer limits and whether the permanent application must already be complete. For Virginia, do not assume that an application receipt, job offer or out-of-state license creates temporary practice authority; confirm the issued permit or compact privilege in writing.
What causes endorsement delays?
Confirm that Virginia Board of Nursing received the correct existing-license verification (Use Nursys for participating jurisdictions; otherwise have the jurisdiction provide verification as directed.), transcripts, identity documents, fingerprints, fee and any credential-specific items.
Source-reviewed official resources
Virginia License Lookup ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 28, 2026Virginia Online Licensing Renewal ↗
Official Virginia DHP authenticated renewal and license account system.
Exact primary-source record · July 28, 2026Virginia RN/LPN Application Instructions ↗
Official application-by-endorsement requirements and process.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Virginia Nursing Applications ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 28, 2026Virginia Nursing Fee Schedule ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Virginia Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Virginia status recorded as Compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Virginia Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Virginia license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Virginia source remains Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup for Virginia; follow Virginia Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
Virginia Board of Nursing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Virginia Continued Competency ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Virginia Nursing Fee Schedule ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Virginia RN/LPN Application Instructions ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Virginia Online Licensing Renewal ↗
Reviewed July 28, 2026
Virginia License Lookup ↗
Reviewed July 28, 2026
Virginia Nursing Applications ↗
Reviewed July 28, 2026