Getting a New Jersey nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

Not published. The board says only that it will make every effort to process in a timely manner; background-check results from the vendor average 1 to 3 weeks.

New Jersey endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: New Jersey licenses an already-licensed out-of-state RN through a combined Candidate application (the old separate examination and endorsement applications were merged). You get a multistate license if you meet compact requirements, otherwise a single-state New Jersey license.
Processing time: Not published. The board says only that it will make every effort to process in a timely manner; background-check results from the vendor average 1 to 3 weeks.
Work while waiting: No general temporary permit for endorsement applicants. New Jersey's temporary courtesy license is limited to military personnel and their spouses.
Requirements: Provide written verification of every license ever held, sent directly from each board unless the state is on Nursys. Fingerprint background check through IdentoGO. Passport photo, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and name-change documents. Transcripts are not required for an already-licensed endorsement candidate. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $200 total to the board ($120 license fee, $75 nonrefundable application fee, $5 Alternative to Discipline fee), plus about $58.69 for out-of-state fingerprint scanning.
Compact rules: New Jersey is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers New Jersey practice. Make New Jersey your primary residence and you must obtain a New Jersey license; a New Jersey multistate license requires you to declare New Jersey as your primary residence.
Military spouse: A military spouse may apply for a Temporary Courtesy License with proof of marriage to an active-duty member and military orders to New Jersey; that courtesy license totals $140 plus the fingerprint fee.

Source: New Jersey Board of Nursing, instructions for licensure by endorsement, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into New Jersey

1Check whether you even need New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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: New Jersey 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.

New Jersey endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a New Jersey nursing license by endorsement?: Not published. The board says only that it will make every effort to process in a timely manner; background-check results from the vendor average 1 to 3 weeks.
Can I work in New Jersey while my endorsement application is processing?: No general temporary permit for endorsement applicants. New Jersey's temporary courtesy license is limited to military personnel and their spouses.
Do I need a New Jersey license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: New Jersey is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers New Jersey practice. Make New Jersey your primary residence and you must obtain a New Jersey license; a New Jersey multistate license requires you to declare New Jersey as your primary residence.
How much does New Jersey endorsement cost?: $200 total to the board ($120 license fee, $75 nonrefundable application fee, $5 Alternative to Discipline fee), plus about $58.69 for out-of-state fingerprint scanning.

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New Jersey endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: New Jersey licenses an already-licensed out-of-state RN through a combined Candidate application (the old separate examination and endorsement applications were merged). You get a multistate license if you meet compact requirements, otherwise a single-state New Jersey license.
Processing time: Not published. The board says only that it will make every effort to process in a timely manner; background-check results from the vendor average 1 to 3 weeks.
Work while waiting: No general temporary permit for endorsement applicants. New Jersey's temporary courtesy license is limited to military personnel and their spouses.
Requirements: Provide written verification of every license ever held, sent directly from each board unless the state is on Nursys. Fingerprint background check through IdentoGO. Passport photo, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and name-change documents. Transcripts are not required for an already-licensed endorsement candidate. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $200 total to the board ($120 license fee, $75 nonrefundable application fee, $5 Alternative to Discipline fee), plus about $58.69 for out-of-state fingerprint scanning.
Compact rules: New Jersey is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers New Jersey practice. Make New Jersey your primary residence and you must obtain a New Jersey license; a New Jersey multistate license requires you to declare New Jersey as your primary residence.
Military spouse: A military spouse may apply for a Temporary Courtesy License with proof of marriage to an active-duty member and military orders to New Jersey; that courtesy license totals $140 plus the fingerprint fee.

Source: New Jersey Board of Nursing, instructions for licensure by endorsement, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into New Jersey

1Check whether you even need New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.

New Jersey endorsement FAQ

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

Not published. The board says only that it will make every effort to process in a timely manner; background-check results from the vendor average 1 to 3 weeks.

Can I work in New Jersey while my endorsement application is processing?

No general temporary permit for endorsement applicants. New Jersey's temporary courtesy license is limited to military personnel and their spouses.

Do I need a New Jersey license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

New Jersey is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers New Jersey practice. Make New Jersey your primary residence and you must obtain a New Jersey license; a New Jersey multistate license requires you to declare New Jersey as your primary residence.

How much does New Jersey endorsement cost?

$200 total to the board ($120 license fee, $75 nonrefundable application fee, $5 Alternative to Discipline fee), plus about $58.69 for out-of-state fingerprint scanning.