How Long Do Nursing Licenses Last?

Before you can practice as a nurse, you must first obtain a nursing license. The requirements for obtaining a license vary by state, but most states require you to complete an approved program, pass an exam and submit to a background check. All states also require you to renew your nursing license at regular intervals. The exact renewal period depends on the requirements of the state. 

Licensure Expiration by State

• Alabama - 2 years

• Alaska - 2 years

• Arizona - 4 years

• Arkansas -  2 years

• California - 2 years

• Colorado - 2 years

• Connecticut - 1 year

• Delaware - 2 years

• District of Columbia - 2 years

• Florida - 2 years

• Georgia - 2 years

• Hawaii - 2 years

• Idaho - 2 years

• Illinois - 2 years

• Indiana - 2 years

• Iowa - 3 years

• Kansas - 2 years

• Kentucky - 1 year

• Louisiana - 1 year

• Maine - 2 years

• Maryland - 2 years

• Massachusetts - 2 years

• Michigan - 2 years (after first renewal)

• Minnesota - 2 years

• Mississippi - 2 years

• Missouri - 2 years

• Montana - 2 years

• Nebraska - 2 years

• Nevada - 2 years

• New Hampshire - 2 years

• New Jersey - 2 years

• New Mexico - 2 years

• New York - 3 years

• North Carolina - 2 years

• North Dakota - 2 years

• Ohio - 2 years*

• Oklahoma - 2 years

• Oregon - 2 years

• Pennsylvania - 2 years

• Rhode Island - 2 years

• South Carolina - 2 years

• South Dakota - 2 years

• Tennessee - 2 years

• Texas - 2 years

• Utah - 2 years

• Vermont - 2 years

• Virginia - 2 years

• Washington - 1 year

• West Virginia - 1 year

• Wisconsin - 2 years

• Wyoming - 2 years

The Nurse Licensure Compact

The Nurse Licensure Compact is a licensure agreement made between multiple states that allows a nurse who holds a license in one state to practice in all of the others without applying for a new license. This multi-state license is often referred to as a "compact license." Compact licensure is currently valid in 25 states. If you reside in one of these states, you hold the multi-state license automatically. It will be renewed automatically each time you renew your state nursing license. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, compact states currently include: 

• Idaho

• Montana

• North Dakota

• South Dakota

• Nebraska

• Wisconsin

• Utah

• Arizona

• New Mexico

• Colorado

• Texas

• Missouri

• Arkansas

• Iowa

• Mississippi

• Tennessee

• Kentucky

• South Carolina 

• North Carolina

• Virginia

• Maine

• New Hampshire

• Rhode Island

• Delaware

• Maryland

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