Getting a Nevada nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

Applications and documents are processed in about one week, but fingerprint results from DPS and the FBI may take up to four months, and the permanent license is not issued until they clear.

Nevada endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Nevada grants licensure by endorsement to an RN licensed in another state, applied for through the Nevada Nurse Portal; the application is valid one year.
Processing time: Applications and documents are processed in about one week, but fingerprint results from DPS and the FBI may take up to four months, and the permanent license is not issued until they clear.
Work while waiting: Yes. After you apply, board staff determine whether you qualify for a one-time temporary license, issued as a courtesy and valid for six months; it cannot be extended or reissued.
Requirements: A Nurse License Verification for Endorsement through Nursys (a QuickConfirm printout does not satisfy it); non-Nursys states use the paper endorsement form. Fingerprints. Proof of graduation or transcript. You must have practiced within the past five years or complete a refresher or retake the NCLEX. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $100 RN by endorsement, plus $40 fingerprinting. Non-refundable.
Compact rules: Nevada is not a compact state, so even a multistate license from elsewhere does not cover Nevada. You must obtain a Nevada license by endorsement.
Military spouse: An active military member or spouse, a veteran, or a veteran's spouse qualifies for a 50 percent reduced application fee with a military ID or documentation.

Source: Nevada State Board of Nursing, RN/LPN by endorsement instructions and fee schedule, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Nevada

1Confirm you need a Nevada license: Nevada is not a compact state, so an out-of-state license will not 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 Nevada State 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: Nevada State 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.

Nevada endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Nevada nursing license by endorsement?: Applications and documents are processed in about one week, but fingerprint results from DPS and the FBI may take up to four months, and the permanent license is not issued until they clear.
Can I work in Nevada while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. After you apply, board staff determine whether you qualify for a one-time temporary license, issued as a courtesy and valid for six months; it cannot be extended or reissued.
Do I need a Nevada license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Nevada is not a compact state, so even a multistate license from elsewhere does not cover Nevada. You must obtain a Nevada license by endorsement.
How much does Nevada endorsement cost?: $100 RN by endorsement, plus $40 fingerprinting. Non-refundable.

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Getting a Nevada nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

Applications and documents are processed in about one week, but fingerprint results from DPS and the FBI may take up to four months, and the permanent license is not issued until they clear.

Nevada endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Nevada grants licensure by endorsement to an RN licensed in another state, applied for through the Nevada Nurse Portal; the application is valid one year.
Processing time: Applications and documents are processed in about one week, but fingerprint results from DPS and the FBI may take up to four months, and the permanent license is not issued until they clear.
Work while waiting: Yes. After you apply, board staff determine whether you qualify for a one-time temporary license, issued as a courtesy and valid for six months; it cannot be extended or reissued.
Requirements: A Nurse License Verification for Endorsement through Nursys (a QuickConfirm printout does not satisfy it); non-Nursys states use the paper endorsement form. Fingerprints. Proof of graduation or transcript. You must have practiced within the past five years or complete a refresher or retake the NCLEX. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $100 RN by endorsement, plus $40 fingerprinting. Non-refundable.
Compact rules: Nevada is not a compact state, so even a multistate license from elsewhere does not cover Nevada. You must obtain a Nevada license by endorsement.
Military spouse: An active military member or spouse, a veteran, or a veteran's spouse qualifies for a 50 percent reduced application fee with a military ID or documentation.

Source: Nevada State Board of Nursing, RN/LPN by endorsement instructions and fee schedule, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Nevada

1Confirm you need a Nevada license: Nevada is not a compact state, so an out-of-state license will not 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 Nevada State 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.

Nevada endorsement FAQ

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

Applications and documents are processed in about one week, but fingerprint results from DPS and the FBI may take up to four months, and the permanent license is not issued until they clear.

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

Yes. After you apply, board staff determine whether you qualify for a one-time temporary license, issued as a courtesy and valid for six months; it cannot be extended or reissued.

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

Nevada is not a compact state, so even a multistate license from elsewhere does not cover Nevada. You must obtain a Nevada license by endorsement.

How much does Nevada endorsement cost?

$100 RN by endorsement, plus $40 fingerprinting. Non-refundable.