Getting a Idaho nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Endorsement timeline, fees & requirements · Verified 2026-06-18

After all documents are received, final review takes up to 5 business days. No full end-to-end timeline is published.

Idaho endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Idaho (DOPL) issues an RN license by interstate endorsement to a nurse currently licensed in good standing elsewhere, applied for through the eDOPL portal.
Processing time: After all documents are received, final review takes up to 5 business days. No full end-to-end timeline is published.
Work while waiting: Yes. A temporary license may be issued to an endorsement applicant on proof of current licensure in good standing elsewhere and employment within the prior three years, for $25; you must also be applying for the permanent license.
Requirements: Nursys verification for endorsement ($30 to NCSBN). Fingerprint background check (results valid up to 6 months). No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $102 license by endorsement (includes the $32 fingerprint processing fee), plus $25 for the temporary license.
Compact rules: Idaho is a compact state. A nurse holding a multistate license from their primary-residence state is covered to practice in Idaho without endorsing; you apply by endorsement when Idaho becomes your primary residence or you hold only a single-state license.
Military spouse: Idaho provides expedited processing, credit for military training, and fee waivers for active military and spouses under Idaho Code 67-9401 to 9407.

Source: Idaho DOPL Board of Nursing, endorsement, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Idaho

1Check whether you even need Idaho endorsement: if your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license may already cover you.
2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).
3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4Submit the Idaho Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.
5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Start at the source: Idaho Board of Nursing or the online licensing portal. Not sure if you even need to endorse? The compact eligibility quiz sorts compact privilege from a required license in two minutes.

Idaho endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Idaho nursing license by endorsement?: After all documents are received, final review takes up to 5 business days. No full end-to-end timeline is published.
Can I work in Idaho while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. A temporary license may be issued to an endorsement applicant on proof of current licensure in good standing elsewhere and employment within the prior three years, for $25; you must also be applying for the permanent license.
Do I need a Idaho license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Idaho is a compact state. A nurse holding a multistate license from their primary-residence state is covered to practice in Idaho without endorsing; you apply by endorsement when Idaho becomes your primary residence or you hold only a single-state license.
How much does Idaho endorsement cost?: $102 license by endorsement (includes the $32 fingerprint processing fee), plus $25 for the temporary license.

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Idaho endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Idaho (DOPL) issues an RN license by interstate endorsement to a nurse currently licensed in good standing elsewhere, applied for through the eDOPL portal.
Processing time: After all documents are received, final review takes up to 5 business days. No full end-to-end timeline is published.
Work while waiting: Yes. A temporary license may be issued to an endorsement applicant on proof of current licensure in good standing elsewhere and employment within the prior three years, for $25; you must also be applying for the permanent license.
Requirements: Nursys verification for endorsement ($30 to NCSBN). Fingerprint background check (results valid up to 6 months). No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $102 license by endorsement (includes the $32 fingerprint processing fee), plus $25 for the temporary license.
Compact rules: Idaho is a compact state. A nurse holding a multistate license from their primary-residence state is covered to practice in Idaho without endorsing; you apply by endorsement when Idaho becomes your primary residence or you hold only a single-state license.
Military spouse: Idaho provides expedited processing, credit for military training, and fee waivers for active military and spouses under Idaho Code 67-9401 to 9407.

Source: Idaho DOPL Board of Nursing, endorsement, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Idaho

1Check whether you even need Idaho endorsement: if your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license may already cover you.

2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).

3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.

4Submit the Idaho Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.

5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Idaho endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Idaho nursing license by endorsement?

After all documents are received, final review takes up to 5 business days. No full end-to-end timeline is published.

Can I work in Idaho while my endorsement application is processing?

Yes. A temporary license may be issued to an endorsement applicant on proof of current licensure in good standing elsewhere and employment within the prior three years, for $25; you must also be applying for the permanent license.

Do I need a Idaho license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

Idaho is a compact state. A nurse holding a multistate license from their primary-residence state is covered to practice in Idaho without endorsing; you apply by endorsement when Idaho becomes your primary residence or you hold only a single-state license.

How much does Idaho endorsement cost?

$102 license by endorsement (includes the $32 fingerprint processing fee), plus $25 for the temporary license.