Getting a Pennsylvania nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

Not published. The board points applicants to its licensure guide for timelines but does not post a firm processing-time figure on the endorsement pages.

Pennsylvania endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Pennsylvania grants licensure by endorsement to an RN who graduated an approved program and passed the licensing exam in another state. Since the compact went live on July 7, 2025, you can apply for either a multistate or a single-state Pennsylvania license.
Processing time: Not published. The board points applicants to its licensure guide for timelines but does not post a firm processing-time figure on the endorsement pages.
Work while waiting: Yes. The board issues a Temporary Practice Permit to endorsement applicants who hold an active single-state license elsewhere. It is not issued or needed if you already hold an active multistate license in another compact state, since that license already covers Pennsylvania practice.
Requirements: Verify each license through Nursys (about $30 per license type). Complete a criminal history background check. Submit official transcripts showing graduation from an approved program. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: Initial multistate license by endorsement $180 ($250 if an exam is required); single-state by endorsement $120 ($145 with exam).
Compact rules: Pennsylvania is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already lets you practice in Pennsylvania, no endorsement needed. Make Pennsylvania your primary residence and you apply for a Pennsylvania license, multistate if you are a PA resident, otherwise single-state.
Military spouse: Pennsylvania maintains a military and veterans licensure pathway; confirm the current spouse fee and expedite terms with the board.

Multistate licensure went live July 7, 2025; be sure you understand multistate versus single-state based on your primary residence.

Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, RN licensure snapshot and NLC pages, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Pennsylvania

1Check whether you even need Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (BPOA) 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: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (BPOA) 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.

Pennsylvania endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Pennsylvania nursing license by endorsement?: Not published. The board points applicants to its licensure guide for timelines but does not post a firm processing-time figure on the endorsement pages.
Can I work in Pennsylvania while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. The board issues a Temporary Practice Permit to endorsement applicants who hold an active single-state license elsewhere. It is not issued or needed if you already hold an active multistate license in another compact state, since that license already covers Pennsylvania practice.
Do I need a Pennsylvania license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Pennsylvania is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already lets you practice in Pennsylvania, no endorsement needed. Make Pennsylvania your primary residence and you apply for a Pennsylvania license, multistate if you are a PA resident, otherwise single-state.
How much does Pennsylvania endorsement cost?: Initial multistate license by endorsement $180 ($250 if an exam is required); single-state by endorsement $120 ($145 with exam).

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Pennsylvania endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Pennsylvania grants licensure by endorsement to an RN who graduated an approved program and passed the licensing exam in another state. Since the compact went live on July 7, 2025, you can apply for either a multistate or a single-state Pennsylvania license.
Processing time: Not published. The board points applicants to its licensure guide for timelines but does not post a firm processing-time figure on the endorsement pages.
Work while waiting: Yes. The board issues a Temporary Practice Permit to endorsement applicants who hold an active single-state license elsewhere. It is not issued or needed if you already hold an active multistate license in another compact state, since that license already covers Pennsylvania practice.
Requirements: Verify each license through Nursys (about $30 per license type). Complete a criminal history background check. Submit official transcripts showing graduation from an approved program. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: Initial multistate license by endorsement $180 ($250 if an exam is required); single-state by endorsement $120 ($145 with exam).
Compact rules: Pennsylvania is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already lets you practice in Pennsylvania, no endorsement needed. Make Pennsylvania your primary residence and you apply for a Pennsylvania license, multistate if you are a PA resident, otherwise single-state.
Military spouse: Pennsylvania maintains a military and veterans licensure pathway; confirm the current spouse fee and expedite terms with the board.

Multistate licensure went live July 7, 2025; be sure you understand multistate versus single-state based on your primary residence.

Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, RN licensure snapshot and NLC pages, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Pennsylvania

1Check whether you even need Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (BPOA) 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.

Pennsylvania endorsement FAQ

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

Not published. The board points applicants to its licensure guide for timelines but does not post a firm processing-time figure on the endorsement pages.

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

Yes. The board issues a Temporary Practice Permit to endorsement applicants who hold an active single-state license elsewhere. It is not issued or needed if you already hold an active multistate license in another compact state, since that license already covers Pennsylvania practice.

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

Pennsylvania is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already lets you practice in Pennsylvania, no endorsement needed. Make Pennsylvania your primary residence and you apply for a Pennsylvania license, multistate if you are a PA resident, otherwise single-state.

How much does Pennsylvania endorsement cost?

Initial multistate license by endorsement $180 ($250 if an exam is required); single-state by endorsement $120 ($145 with exam).

Getting a Pennsylvania nursing license by endorsement

Pennsylvania endorsement at a glance

Steps to endorse into Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania endorsement FAQ

Related guides

More for Pennsylvania nurses

New state, new renewal clock

Getting a Pennsylvania nursing license by endorsement

Pennsylvania endorsement at a glance

Steps to endorse into Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania endorsement FAQ

Related guides

More for Pennsylvania nurses

New state, new renewal clock