Getting a Utah nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

The typical processing time for a complete application is 21 days.

Utah endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Utah grants licensure by endorsement under statute 58-31b to an RN currently licensed as the equivalent in another state who has held that license, active and in good standing, for at least one year; you apply through DOPL.
Processing time: The typical processing time for a complete application is 21 days.
Work while waiting: No temporary permit is described for endorsement applicants on the nursing page, though the general fee schedule lists an optional $50 temporary license.
Requirements: Fingerprint background check (FBI and BCI; the top reason for denial is missing fingerprints). Verify licensure through Nursys. High school diploma, a qualifying education program, passing the NCLEX, and at least one year holding the out-of-state license. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $60 RN application fee (endorsement uses the standard RN application; there is no separate endorsement fee), plus $12 FBI and $20 BCI fingerprint searches. Optional $50 temporary license and $75 priority processing.
Compact rules: Utah is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Utah practice. Make Utah your primary residence and you must obtain a Utah multistate license by endorsement.
Military spouse: Spouses of military members stationed in Utah may work in licensed professions without a Utah license as long as they hold an active license from another state; DOPL provides a verification letter for the exemption.

Source: Utah DOPL Board of Nursing, apply page 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 Utah

1Check whether you even need Utah 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), 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: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), 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.

Utah endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Utah nursing license by endorsement?: The typical processing time for a complete application is 21 days.
Can I work in Utah while my endorsement application is processing?: No temporary permit is described for endorsement applicants on the nursing page, though the general fee schedule lists an optional $50 temporary license.
Do I need a Utah license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Utah is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Utah practice. Make Utah your primary residence and you must obtain a Utah multistate license by endorsement.
How much does Utah endorsement cost?: $60 RN application fee (endorsement uses the standard RN application; there is no separate endorsement fee), plus $12 FBI and $20 BCI fingerprint searches. Optional $50 temporary license and $75 priority processing.

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Utah endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Utah grants licensure by endorsement under statute 58-31b to an RN currently licensed as the equivalent in another state who has held that license, active and in good standing, for at least one year; you apply through DOPL.
Processing time: The typical processing time for a complete application is 21 days.
Work while waiting: No temporary permit is described for endorsement applicants on the nursing page, though the general fee schedule lists an optional $50 temporary license.
Requirements: Fingerprint background check (FBI and BCI; the top reason for denial is missing fingerprints). Verify licensure through Nursys. High school diploma, a qualifying education program, passing the NCLEX, and at least one year holding the out-of-state license. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $60 RN application fee (endorsement uses the standard RN application; there is no separate endorsement fee), plus $12 FBI and $20 BCI fingerprint searches. Optional $50 temporary license and $75 priority processing.
Compact rules: Utah is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Utah practice. Make Utah your primary residence and you must obtain a Utah multistate license by endorsement.
Military spouse: Spouses of military members stationed in Utah may work in licensed professions without a Utah license as long as they hold an active license from another state; DOPL provides a verification letter for the exemption.

Source: Utah DOPL Board of Nursing, apply page 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 Utah

1Check whether you even need Utah 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), 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.

Utah endorsement FAQ

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

The typical processing time for a complete application is 21 days.

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

No temporary permit is described for endorsement applicants on the nursing page, though the general fee schedule lists an optional $50 temporary license.

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

Utah is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Utah practice. Make Utah your primary residence and you must obtain a Utah multistate license by endorsement.

How much does Utah endorsement cost?

$60 RN application fee (endorsement uses the standard RN application; there is no separate endorsement fee), plus $12 FBI and $20 BCI fingerprint searches. Optional $50 temporary license and $75 priority processing.