Getting a Rhode Island nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

Once the department receives a complete initial application, it is taking six to eight weeks to process.

Rhode Island endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Rhode Island issues a license without examination (endorsement) to a nurse currently licensed by exam or endorsement in another state; you apply online and request verification from every state where you hold or held a license.
Processing time: Once the department receives a complete initial application, it is taking six to eight weeks to process.
Work while waiting: No general temporary permit for endorsement applicants. The only temporary-license provision is military: on a case-by-case basis the department may grant one if a military member or spouse needs more time to complete licensure.
Requirements: Nursys verification from all other boards (Pennsylvania verified separately), a national fingerprint background check through the Attorney General, and proof of primary residence. No state jurisprudence exam and no transcripts for endorsement applicants.
Fees: $135 RN endorsement application fee, paid online. The Attorney General fingerprint cost is separate.
Compact rules: Rhode Island rejoined the compact effective January 1, 2024. If your primary residence is another compact state, your multistate license already covers Rhode Island and you should not apply here. You apply to Rhode Island only if it is your primary residence (or will be within 60 days) or your primary state is non-compact.
Military spouse: Under state law the department expedites applications for active-duty or reservist military members and their spouses who relocate to Rhode Island on orders, with a case-by-case temporary license if more time is needed.

Source: Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Nurse Registration, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Rhode Island

1Check whether you even need Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education 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: Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education 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.

Rhode Island endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Rhode Island nursing license by endorsement?: Once the department receives a complete initial application, it is taking six to eight weeks to process.
Can I work in Rhode Island while my endorsement application is processing?: No general temporary permit for endorsement applicants. The only temporary-license provision is military: on a case-by-case basis the department may grant one if a military member or spouse needs more time to complete licensure.
Do I need a Rhode Island license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Rhode Island rejoined the compact effective January 1, 2024. If your primary residence is another compact state, your multistate license already covers Rhode Island and you should not apply here. You apply to Rhode Island only if it is your primary residence (or will be within 60 days) or your primary state is non-compact.
How much does Rhode Island endorsement cost?: $135 RN endorsement application fee, paid online. The Attorney General fingerprint cost is separate.

Do I qualify for a compact multistate license?

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Rhode Island endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Rhode Island issues a license without examination (endorsement) to a nurse currently licensed by exam or endorsement in another state; you apply online and request verification from every state where you hold or held a license.
Processing time: Once the department receives a complete initial application, it is taking six to eight weeks to process.
Work while waiting: No general temporary permit for endorsement applicants. The only temporary-license provision is military: on a case-by-case basis the department may grant one if a military member or spouse needs more time to complete licensure.
Requirements: Nursys verification from all other boards (Pennsylvania verified separately), a national fingerprint background check through the Attorney General, and proof of primary residence. No state jurisprudence exam and no transcripts for endorsement applicants.
Fees: $135 RN endorsement application fee, paid online. The Attorney General fingerprint cost is separate.
Compact rules: Rhode Island rejoined the compact effective January 1, 2024. If your primary residence is another compact state, your multistate license already covers Rhode Island and you should not apply here. You apply to Rhode Island only if it is your primary residence (or will be within 60 days) or your primary state is non-compact.
Military spouse: Under state law the department expedites applications for active-duty or reservist military members and their spouses who relocate to Rhode Island on orders, with a case-by-case temporary license if more time is needed.

Source: Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Nurse Registration, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Rhode Island

1Check whether you even need Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education 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.

Rhode Island endorsement FAQ

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

Once the department receives a complete initial application, it is taking six to eight weeks to process.

Can I work in Rhode Island while my endorsement application is processing?

No general temporary permit for endorsement applicants. The only temporary-license provision is military: on a case-by-case basis the department may grant one if a military member or spouse needs more time to complete licensure.

Do I need a Rhode Island license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

Rhode Island rejoined the compact effective January 1, 2024. If your primary residence is another compact state, your multistate license already covers Rhode Island and you should not apply here. You apply to Rhode Island only if it is your primary residence (or will be within 60 days) or your primary state is non-compact.

How much does Rhode Island endorsement cost?

$135 RN endorsement application fee, paid online. The Attorney General fingerprint cost is separate.

Getting a Rhode Island nursing license by endorsement

Rhode Island endorsement at a glance

Steps to endorse into Rhode Island

Rhode Island endorsement FAQ

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Getting a Rhode Island nursing license by endorsement

Rhode Island endorsement at a glance

Steps to endorse into Rhode Island

Rhode Island endorsement FAQ

Related guides

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