Getting a Vermont nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

Not published. OPR publishes a 90-day initial-licensing policy governing the license expiration window, not a processing estimate.

Vermont endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Vermont (OPR) licenses an already-licensed out-of-state RN by endorsement; a licensee in good standing elsewhere for at least 3 years may use the Fast Track Endorsement.
Processing time: Not published. OPR publishes a 90-day initial-licensing policy governing the license expiration window, not a processing estimate.
Work while waiting: Yes. A 90-day provisional license can issue if all requirements are complete except license verification or background-check results. It is issued once per applicant, cannot be extended, and is a Vermont single-state license; you must complete the background check and fingerprinting within 90 days.
Requirements: License verification through OPR online services and a fingerprint-supported criminal background check (no repeat check if there is no lapse in the same license type). No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $150 endorsement application fee; a multistate license adds $100.
Compact rules: Vermont is a compact state as of January 2, 2024. If you hold an active multistate license in another compact state, you may practice in Vermont on it with no extra steps. Make Vermont your primary residence and you must apply for a Vermont multistate license; a multistate holder changing primary residence to another party state must apply there within 60 days.
Military spouse: OPR provides expedited and temporary licensing based on military training and credentials, case by case, to veterans, active-duty members, and active-duty spouses who hold a license in good standing elsewhere.

Source: Vermont OPR, nursing applications and renewals; OPR fees chart, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Vermont

1Check whether you even need Vermont 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 Vermont Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Regulation 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: Vermont Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Regulation 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.

Vermont endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Vermont nursing license by endorsement?: Not published. OPR publishes a 90-day initial-licensing policy governing the license expiration window, not a processing estimate.
Can I work in Vermont while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. A 90-day provisional license can issue if all requirements are complete except license verification or background-check results. It is issued once per applicant, cannot be extended, and is a Vermont single-state license; you must complete the background check and fingerprinting within 90 days.
Do I need a Vermont license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Vermont is a compact state as of January 2, 2024. If you hold an active multistate license in another compact state, you may practice in Vermont on it with no extra steps. Make Vermont your primary residence and you must apply for a Vermont multistate license; a multistate holder changing primary residence to another party state must apply there within 60 days.
How much does Vermont endorsement cost?: $150 endorsement application fee; a multistate license adds $100.

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Vermont endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Vermont (OPR) licenses an already-licensed out-of-state RN by endorsement; a licensee in good standing elsewhere for at least 3 years may use the Fast Track Endorsement.
Processing time: Not published. OPR publishes a 90-day initial-licensing policy governing the license expiration window, not a processing estimate.
Work while waiting: Yes. A 90-day provisional license can issue if all requirements are complete except license verification or background-check results. It is issued once per applicant, cannot be extended, and is a Vermont single-state license; you must complete the background check and fingerprinting within 90 days.
Requirements: License verification through OPR online services and a fingerprint-supported criminal background check (no repeat check if there is no lapse in the same license type). No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $150 endorsement application fee; a multistate license adds $100.
Compact rules: Vermont is a compact state as of January 2, 2024. If you hold an active multistate license in another compact state, you may practice in Vermont on it with no extra steps. Make Vermont your primary residence and you must apply for a Vermont multistate license; a multistate holder changing primary residence to another party state must apply there within 60 days.
Military spouse: OPR provides expedited and temporary licensing based on military training and credentials, case by case, to veterans, active-duty members, and active-duty spouses who hold a license in good standing elsewhere.

Source: Vermont OPR, nursing applications and renewals; OPR fees chart, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Vermont

1Check whether you even need Vermont 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 Vermont Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Regulation 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.

Vermont endorsement FAQ

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

Not published. OPR publishes a 90-day initial-licensing policy governing the license expiration window, not a processing estimate.

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

Yes. A 90-day provisional license can issue if all requirements are complete except license verification or background-check results. It is issued once per applicant, cannot be extended, and is a Vermont single-state license; you must complete the background check and fingerprinting within 90 days.

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

Vermont is a compact state as of January 2, 2024. If you hold an active multistate license in another compact state, you may practice in Vermont on it with no extra steps. Make Vermont your primary residence and you must apply for a Vermont multistate license; a multistate holder changing primary residence to another party state must apply there within 60 days.

How much does Vermont endorsement cost?

$150 endorsement application fee; a multistate license adds $100.