Getting a Texas nursing license by endorsement

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

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

Published: the Board reviews your application within 15 business days of receiving the last item that completes it. The same 15-business-day window applies to issuing the temporary license.

Texas endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Texas licenses out-of-state nurses by endorsement, issuing a permanent license without re-examination once it confirms you meet Texas standards. You must have graduated an approved program, passed the US licensing exam, and practiced within the last four years.
Processing time: Published: the Board reviews your application within 15 business days of receiving the last item that completes it. The same 15-business-day window applies to issuing the temporary license.
Work while waiting: Yes. Texas issues a one-time 120-day temporary license to eligible endorsement applicants within 15 business days of a completed application and fee, so you can work while the permanent license is finalized. (This is separate from the six-month permit used by nurses returning after years out of practice.)
Requirements: Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check through DPS and the FBI. Pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam before the permanent license issues (50 questions, 75 percent to pass, two hours). Verify every nursing license you have ever held through Nursys, or the Board's verification form for non-Nursys states. US-educated RNs do not submit transcripts in the online flow.
Fees: $150 endorsement application fee, which includes the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. The DPS and FBI fingerprint fee is set by those agencies and paid separately. Fees are non-refundable.
Compact rules: Texas is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state and you hold a multistate license, you practice in Texas on that license with no Texas endorsement needed. If you move your primary residence to Texas, you must apply for a Texas license by endorsement within 60 days of the move.
Military spouse: Under SB 1200, a qualifying military spouse already licensed in good standing in a substantially-equivalent state can practice in Texas without a Texas license for up to three years (notify the Board, send a copy of the military ID, and get the Board's verification confirmation), with no Texas CE required during that term. The Board also expedites endorsement for nurses and spouses being deployed and can waive reactivation fees and CE under Rule 217.6(j).

Source: Texas Board of Nursing, 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 Texas

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

Texas endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Texas nursing license by endorsement?: Published: the Board reviews your application within 15 business days of receiving the last item that completes it. The same 15-business-day window applies to issuing the temporary license.
Can I work in Texas while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. Texas issues a one-time 120-day temporary license to eligible endorsement applicants within 15 business days of a completed application and fee, so you can work while the permanent license is finalized. (This is separate from the six-month permit used by nurses returning after years out of practice.)
Do I need a Texas license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Texas is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state and you hold a multistate license, you practice in Texas on that license with no Texas endorsement needed. If you move your primary residence to Texas, you must apply for a Texas license by endorsement within 60 days of the move.
How much does Texas endorsement cost?: $150 endorsement application fee, which includes the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. The DPS and FBI fingerprint fee is set by those agencies and paid separately. Fees are non-refundable.

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Getting a Texas nursing license by endorsement

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

Published: the Board reviews your application within 15 business days of receiving the last item that completes it. The same 15-business-day window applies to issuing the temporary license.

Texas endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Texas licenses out-of-state nurses by endorsement, issuing a permanent license without re-examination once it confirms you meet Texas standards. You must have graduated an approved program, passed the US licensing exam, and practiced within the last four years.
Processing time: Published: the Board reviews your application within 15 business days of receiving the last item that completes it. The same 15-business-day window applies to issuing the temporary license.
Work while waiting: Yes. Texas issues a one-time 120-day temporary license to eligible endorsement applicants within 15 business days of a completed application and fee, so you can work while the permanent license is finalized. (This is separate from the six-month permit used by nurses returning after years out of practice.)
Requirements: Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check through DPS and the FBI. Pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam before the permanent license issues (50 questions, 75 percent to pass, two hours). Verify every nursing license you have ever held through Nursys, or the Board's verification form for non-Nursys states. US-educated RNs do not submit transcripts in the online flow.
Fees: $150 endorsement application fee, which includes the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. The DPS and FBI fingerprint fee is set by those agencies and paid separately. Fees are non-refundable.
Compact rules: Texas is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state and you hold a multistate license, you practice in Texas on that license with no Texas endorsement needed. If you move your primary residence to Texas, you must apply for a Texas license by endorsement within 60 days of the move.
Military spouse: Under SB 1200, a qualifying military spouse already licensed in good standing in a substantially-equivalent state can practice in Texas without a Texas license for up to three years (notify the Board, send a copy of the military ID, and get the Board's verification confirmation), with no Texas CE required during that term. The Board also expedites endorsement for nurses and spouses being deployed and can waive reactivation fees and CE under Rule 217.6(j).

Source: Texas Board of Nursing, 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 Texas

1Check whether you even need Texas 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 Texas 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.

Texas endorsement FAQ

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

Published: the Board reviews your application within 15 business days of receiving the last item that completes it. The same 15-business-day window applies to issuing the temporary license.

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

Yes. Texas issues a one-time 120-day temporary license to eligible endorsement applicants within 15 business days of a completed application and fee, so you can work while the permanent license is finalized. (This is separate from the six-month permit used by nurses returning after years out of practice.)

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

Texas is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state and you hold a multistate license, you practice in Texas on that license with no Texas endorsement needed. If you move your primary residence to Texas, you must apply for a Texas license by endorsement within 60 days of the move.

How much does Texas endorsement cost?

$150 endorsement application fee, which includes the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. The DPS and FBI fingerprint fee is set by those agencies and paid separately. Fees are non-refundable.