License: RN/LPN: Licensure by Endorsement

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RN/LPN licensure by Endorsement means that you have graduated from an approved nursing program, taken the NCLEX or state board test pool exam, and have been granted an RN/LPN license by another state. If you wish to apply for licensure in Arizona, you will need to complete the RN/LPN Endorsement application.Questions About the Application ProcessMany questions about the application process can be answered by visiting the RN / LPN Licensure by Endorsement FAQs.To check the status of a pending application, please log in to your Nurse Portal account. Once an application has been issued, you can verify the issuance of the credential by visiting Nursys, click on the QuickConfirm option and perform a search by name.ImportantNurses previously licensed in Arizona must reapply by renewal, not by endorsement.Arizona is part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) and no longer part of the Original Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).A list of states participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact is available at https://www.ncsbn.org/enhanced-nlc-implementation.htm.An applicant for licensure as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse who meets certain requirements is eligible for multistate licensure. Once the Board grants the multistate license, the nurse can then engage in nursing practice in any of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact states without having to obtain additional licenses. Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the criteria for issuance of a multistate license. If you do not meet the criteria for a multistate license but you do meet the criteria for a single state license, a single state license will be issued to you.Requirements for Multistate Licensure:Meet the requirements for licensure in the state of ArizonaHas graduated from a board-approved education program or has graduated from an international education program (approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and verified by an independent credential review agencyHas passed an English proficiency examination (applies to graduates of an international education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual's native languageHas passed the NCLEX or predecessor examIs eligible for or holes an active unencumbered license (i.e., without active discipline)Has submitted fingerprints for state and federal background checksHas no state or federal felony convictionsHas no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursingIs not currently a participant in an alternative programIs required to self-disclose current participation in an alternative programHas a valid United States social security numberRequirementsU.S. EDUCATED APPLICANTS:To be eligible for licensure you must:Have completed a Board-approved nursing programHave a passing score on the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) or the State Board Test Pool Exam (SBTPE).Have previous or current license in another state or territory.Have met one of the following practice requirements:Practiced as a nurse for 960 hours or more in the past 5 years ORGraduated from a nursing program and obtained a degree within past 5 years ORCompleted an Arizona Board approved refresher course in the past 5 years ORObtained an advanced nursing degree in the past 5 years (i.e. LPN to RN, RN to BSN, masters, or doctorate).RN applicants hold a Diploma, Associate Degree or Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from an approved program or LPN applicants hold a Diploma or Certificate from an approved program. View the RN / LPN Exceptions section below for a list of exceptions.Have Board approval for applicants under investigation.APPLICANTS EDUCATED IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, INCLUDING CANADA AND PUERTO RICOVisit the Foreign Educated Requirements section below for application requirements.Items to Complete for LicensureSUBMIT AN ONLINE APPLICATION WITH FEESVERIFICATION OF YOUR ORIGINAL STATE OF LICENSUREGo to nursys.com and submit a request for verification.If you are unable to request verification at nursys.com, then see the Verification of Your Original State of Licensure section below.CITIZENSHIP/LAWFUL PRESENCE DOCUMENTATIONAll applicants must upload a copy of documentation regarding citizenship / nationality / alien status. A copy of the document must be submitted on an 8½ x 11 sheet of plain white paper and submitted with the application For a list of acceptable documents visit the Citizenship and Alien Status page.FINGERPRINTSYou are required to submit a full set of fingerprints, for the purpose of obtaining State and Federal criminal record checks.You are only exempt from this requirement if you have submitted a fingerprint card to the Arizona State Board of Nursing within the previous two years.A copy of a clearance card issued by DPS is not a substitute.A fingerprint card will NOT be issued from the Arizona State Board of Nursing. A fingerprint card can be obtained from any local facility that offers fingerprinting services.Please remember to submit your fingerprint card as soon as possible to expedite the process.A permanent license will not be issued until fingerprint results are received.Results can take up to 6-8 weeks to receive.Temporary License or Temporary for Refresher Course OnlyApplicants are eligible for a temporary license if they:Provide a minimum of 960 practice hours and/or six months of nursing employmentMeet educational requirementsHave completed a Board-approved nursing programHave a passing score on the NLCEX or SBTPEDo not have a criminal history, a history or disciplinary action by a regulatory agency, a pending complaint before the Board, or affirmative answers to any criminal background or disciplinary question in the applicationDoes not have any disciplinary eligibility questions for reviewSubmission of lawful presence or citizenship in the United States with a government issued photo identificationSubmission of a fingerprint cardRequest for a temporary licenseSubmission of temporary license feeArmed Forces Nurses – Have Final Grade Report/Sheet sent directly to the Board of Nursing.Applicants applying for a temporary license “for refresher course only”, due to not meeting practice hour requirements, must provide documentation that you have enrolled in an Arizona Board approved refresher course.A refresher program shall provide:A minimum of 40 hours of didactic instruction and 112 hours of supervised clinical practice for a licensed practical nurse program.A minimum of 80 hours of didactic instruction and 160 hours of supervised clinical practice for a professional nurse program.Note: Applications for temporary licenses are processed in the order they are received. If you qualify for a temporary license, allow 30 days for processing. The temporary license will be mailed to the address on your application. A temporary license can be held at the Board for pick up if you submit a written request with your application.Applicants holding a current multistate license from another compact state should not request a temporary license, but can use their compact state license for up to 90 days until an Arizona permanent license is issued.Verification of Your Original State of LicensureIf your original (first) state of licensure was in one of the following states/territories, go to nursys.com and submit a request for verification.Alaska (AK)American Samoa (AS)Arizona (AZ)Arkansas (AR)Colorado (CO)Connecticut (CT)Delaware (DE)District of Columbia (DC)Florida (FL)GeorgiaDelaware (DE)District of Columbia (DC)Florida (FL)GeorgiaGuam (GU)Idaho (ID)Illinois (IL)Indiana (IN)Iowa (IA)KansasKentucky (KY)Louisiana (LA)Maine (ME)Maryland (MD)Massachusetts (MA)Michigan (MI)- Temp Unavail.Minnesota (MN)Mississippi {MS)Missouri (MO)Montana (MT)Nebraska (NE)Nevada (NV)New Hampshire (NH)New Jersey (NJ)New Mexico (NM)New York (NY)North Carolina (NC)North Dakota (ND)North Mariana Islands (MP)Ohio (OH)OklahomaOregon (OR)Rhode Island (RI)South Carolina (SC)South Dakota (SD)Tennessee (TN)Texas (TX)Utah (UT)Vermont (VT)Virgin Islands (VI)Virginia (VA)Washington (WA)West Virginia (WV)Wisconsin (WI)Wyoming (WY)If your original state of license was in a state/territory other than those listed above, complete the Verification Form and mail (not faxed or emailed) to the state/territory of your original license. Most states / territories require a fee for verification of licensure. Please check with your original state to find out what the appropriate fee is is BEFORE sending the verification form. For a list of addresses of state boards, see the last page of the Verification Form. It is your responsibility to request that your original state sends the Arizona State Board of Nursing the verification. A permanent license will not be issued without receipt of the verification form.Additional InformationApplication Fees and Payment MethodsAll fees are in US Dollars and are non-refundableApplication Fee: $150.00Fingerprint Fee: $ 50.00Temporary License Fee: $ 50.00 (Optional)Credit/Debit Card - Can only be processed online. Card information that is mailed to the Board will not be processed.Felony ConvictionsThe Board shall revoke a nursing license or multistate privileges or deny licensure if the applicant has one or more felony convictions that have not previously been disclosed to the Board and has not received an absolute discharge from the sentences for all felony convictions 3 or more years prior to the date of filing an application. If this law pertains to you, your application will be processed, and proceedings for revocation of your Arizona license or multistate privileges in Arizona or denial of your application shall be instituted by the Board.Reporting of Criminal ChargesApplicants for licensure / certification must notify the Arizona State Board of Nursing of criminal charges within 10 days of being charged.Undesignated OffenseFor purposes of the Nursing Board's felony bar statutes, A.R.S Sections 32-1606(B)(17) and1646(B), the commission of any felony offense on or after July 23. 2010, which results in a conviction of an undesignated offense, shall be treated by the Board as a felony "until such time as the court may actually enter an order designating the offense a misdemeanor" pursuant to A.R.S. Section 13-604(A).Time Frames for LicensureThe Board is required to process applications for licensure within certain time periods, per R4-19-102 in the Nurse Practice Act.Deficiency NoticeWhen you submit an application, the Board will send you a deficiency notice identifying any elements of the application process which remain outstanding. If you fail to respond to a deficiency notice within the applicable time period, your application will be withdrawn. After withdrawal, if you are still interested in obtaining licensure you would need to submit a new application and applicable fee.