Getting a Kentucky nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

Licenses may issue within 14 business days after all documents are received and reviewed. A yes answer to the disciplinary or conviction questions can extend that to about three months.

Kentucky endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Kentucky grants licensure by endorsement to a nurse originally licensed by examination in another state who has not previously held a Kentucky license.
Processing time: Licenses may issue within 14 business days after all documents are received and reviewed. A yes answer to the disciplinary or conviction questions can extend that to about three months.
Work while waiting: Yes. A temporary permit is valid for six months, issued while you await your original license verification if all other requirements are met. It does not require supervision and is valid only in Kentucky.
Requirements: Verify your license through Nursys ($30) or a paper form for non-Nursys states. State and federal background check through IdentoGO. Pass the Jurisprudence Exam with at least 80 percent. Transcripts required for Hawaii and Florida (and pre-2006 Puerto Rico education).
Fees: $165 endorsement application fee (non-refundable), plus a $30 Nursys verification fee.
Compact rules: Kentucky is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Kentucky practice. Make Kentucky your primary residence and you must apply by endorsement.

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

Steps to endorse into Kentucky

1Check whether you even need Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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: Kentucky 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. Kentucky also requires passing a nursing jurisprudence exam before licensure.

Kentucky endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Kentucky nursing license by endorsement?: Licenses may issue within 14 business days after all documents are received and reviewed. A yes answer to the disciplinary or conviction questions can extend that to about three months.
Can I work in Kentucky while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. A temporary permit is valid for six months, issued while you await your original license verification if all other requirements are met. It does not require supervision and is valid only in Kentucky.
Do I need a Kentucky license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Kentucky is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Kentucky practice. Make Kentucky your primary residence and you must apply by endorsement.
How much does Kentucky endorsement cost?: $165 endorsement application fee (non-refundable), plus a $30 Nursys verification fee.

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Kentucky endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Kentucky grants licensure by endorsement to a nurse originally licensed by examination in another state who has not previously held a Kentucky license.
Processing time: Licenses may issue within 14 business days after all documents are received and reviewed. A yes answer to the disciplinary or conviction questions can extend that to about three months.
Work while waiting: Yes. A temporary permit is valid for six months, issued while you await your original license verification if all other requirements are met. It does not require supervision and is valid only in Kentucky.
Requirements: Verify your license through Nursys ($30) or a paper form for non-Nursys states. State and federal background check through IdentoGO. Pass the Jurisprudence Exam with at least 80 percent. Transcripts required for Hawaii and Florida (and pre-2006 Puerto Rico education).
Fees: $165 endorsement application fee (non-refundable), plus a $30 Nursys verification fee.
Compact rules: Kentucky is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Kentucky practice. Make Kentucky your primary residence and you must apply by endorsement.

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

Steps to endorse into Kentucky

1Check whether you even need Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.

Kentucky endorsement FAQ

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

Licenses may issue within 14 business days after all documents are received and reviewed. A yes answer to the disciplinary or conviction questions can extend that to about three months.

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

Yes. A temporary permit is valid for six months, issued while you await your original license verification if all other requirements are met. It does not require supervision and is valid only in Kentucky.

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

Kentucky is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Kentucky practice. Make Kentucky your primary residence and you must apply by endorsement.

How much does Kentucky endorsement cost?

$165 endorsement application fee (non-refundable), plus a $30 Nursys verification fee.