Temporary Nursing License: Who Qualifies & How to Get One

Most states let nurses moving from another state work on a temporary license or permit while their full license by endorsement is processed. You typically qualify if you hold an active, unencumbered license elsewhere, and you apply through the new state's board of nursing alongside your endorsement application. If you hold a compact nursing license and are working in another compact state, you usually don't need a temporary license at all.

What is a temporary nursing license, and when can you get one?

A temporary nursing license (some boards call it a temporary permit) is short-term authorization to practice in a state while your permanent license is pending. It is issued by that state's board of nursing and carries the same scope of practice as the license you're applying for. Rules, names, and eligibility vary by state.

How a temporary license or permit lets you work while your full license is pending

A full license by endorsement can take weeks or longer because the board has to verify your existing license, process fingerprints, and review your background. A temporary license covers that gap so you can start a job instead of waiting.

It is tied to your pending application. Once the board issues your full license, or denies it, the temporary license no longer applies.

Common situations: moving states, travel assignments, new graduates, and emergencies

Nurses most often seek temporary licenses when:

• Relocating to a new state and starting a staff position
• Taking a travel assignment in a state where they aren't yet licensed
• Graduating from nursing school in a state that issues graduate permits before the NCLEX
• Responding to a declared emergency, when states may issue emergency licenses or waive licensure requirements

States that do not offer temporary licenses

Not every state issues temporary licenses, and some offer them only to certain applicants, such as endorsement candidates but not new graduates. Some states have also changed their programs over time. Before you plan a start date, check the board of nursing's website for the state where you'll work.

Who qualifies for a temporary nursing license?

Eligibility depends on the state and the type of permit. These are the most common categories.

RNs and LPNs applying for a nursing license by endorsement

This is the most common route. You generally need:

• An active RN or LPN/LVN license in another U.S. state or territory
• A license that is unencumbered, meaning it carries no restrictions or discipline
• A submitted application for a nursing license by endorsement in the new state
• Proof of identity and, in many states, completed fingerprints or a pending background check

New graduates waiting to take the NCLEX (graduate temporary permits)

Some states issue graduate permits that let new graduates work under supervision before passing the NCLEX. These permits usually come with conditions, such as practicing only under an RN's supervision and only in certain settings.

In most states that offer them, the permit ends if you fail the NCLEX. Many states don't offer graduate permits at all.

Internationally educated nurses

Internationally educated nurses usually face more steps before any license, temporary or permanent, is issued. Requirements commonly include:

• A credentials evaluation, often through CGFNS International or another board-approved agency
• Proof of English proficiency
• Passing the NCLEX

Many states don't issue temporary permits to internationally educated nurses until they meet most or all of these requirements. Check with the specific board.

Nurses responding to declared disasters or public health emergencies

During a declared emergency, a governor or board of nursing may issue emergency temporary licenses or temporarily waive licensure requirements for out-of-state nurses. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) also lets states share licensed personnel during declared emergencies. These provisions are time-limited and end when the declaration or waiver expires.

What can disqualify you: discipline history, pending investigations, and lapsed licenses

Common reasons a board may deny a temporary license include:

• Past or current discipline on any nursing license
• A pending investigation or complaint in another state
• A lapsed, inactive, or expired license
• Criminal history that needs board review
• Incomplete applications or missing documents

A disqualifier for the temporary license doesn't always block a full license. Some boards will still process your endorsement application after a longer review.

How do you get a temporary nursing license?

The process is similar across most states, though the order and details vary.

Step 1: Confirm your new state board's temporary license rules

1. Go to the board of nursing website for the state where you'll work.
2. Check whether it offers temporary licenses for your situation (endorsement, graduate, or emergency).
3. Note eligibility rules, required documents, validity period, and fees.

Step 2: Submit the full license by endorsement application

1. Create an account in the board's online licensing system.
2. Complete the endorsement application and answer all background questions accurately.
3. Pay the endorsement fee.

In many states, the temporary license is part of the endorsement application, often a checkbox or add-on. In others it is a separate form.

Step 3: Verify your current license through Nursys

1. Go to Nursys.com and request license verification for endorsement.
2. Select the state you're applying to.
3. Pay the verification fee.

If your original state doesn't participate in Nursys verification, you'll need to request verification directly from that board.

Step 4: Complete fingerprinting and a background check

1. Follow the board's fingerprinting instructions. This may be electronic fingerprinting at an approved vendor or a fingerprint card if you're out of state.
2. Pay the background check fee.
3. Keep your receipt or confirmation number.

Some states require fingerprint results before issuing a temporary license. Others issue it once fingerprints are submitted.

Step 5: Pay the temporary license fee and request the permit

1. Pay any separate temporary license fee.
2. Submit remaining documents, such as ID or proof of employment if required.
3. Watch your email and the board's online portal for status updates and the issued permit.

How long does a temporary nursing license take, last, and cost?

Typical processing time, from same-day to several weeks

Processing time depends on the state, its workload, and how complete your application is. Some boards issue temporary licenses within a day of receiving a complete application. Others take several weeks, especially if they wait for fingerprint results. Applying early and submitting everything at once helps.

How long a temporary license stays valid and whether you can renew it

Validity periods vary by state, from several weeks to several months. Many states don't allow renewal, and others allow one extension under specific conditions. The board's website or your permit will list the expiration date.

Typical fees by state

Fees vary by state, and there is no national standard. Expect to pay several separate costs:

• The endorsement application fee
• A temporary license fee, if charged separately
• Nursys verification fees
• Fingerprinting and background check fees

Check each board's current fee schedule. Some travel nursing agencies reimburse licensing costs, so ask your recruiter.

What happens if your temporary license expires before your full license is issued

If your temporary license expires before your full license is issued, you must stop practicing in that state until the full license comes through. Working on an expired permit is unlicensed practice. To avoid a gap, follow up with the board on missing items well before expiration and tell your employer about any delays.

Do you need a temporary license if you hold a compact nursing license?

How the Nurse Licensure Compact works

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), administered through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), lets RNs and LPN/VNs hold one multistate license. That license allows you to practice in your home state and in other compact states. More than 40 jurisdictions have enacted the NLC, though some are still implementing it. The current map is at nursecompact.com.

To get a multistate license, your primary state of residence must be a compact state and you must meet the uniform licensure requirements.

Where a multistate nursing license lets you practice without a temporary permit

With a multistate nursing license, you can practice in any other compact state without applying for another license or a temporary permit. This is why compact licenses are popular with travel nurses. You still must follow the nurse practice act of the state where the patient is located.

Moving to a new compact state: the 60-day rule for changing your primary state of residence

If you permanently move from one compact state to another, you must apply for licensure in your new home state. This is often called the 60-day rule. Under current NLC rules, you can keep practicing on your former home state's multistate license until the new one is issued. Check NCSBN and your new board for current timing requirements.

Taking a travel assignment doesn't change your primary state of residence. Residence is based on where you legally live, such as your driver's license, voter registration, and tax filings.

When compact nurses still need a temporary license in a non-compact state

A compact license doesn't authorize practice in non-compact states. To work in a non-compact state, you need that state's license by endorsement, and a temporary license if you want to start before the full license is issued.

Temporary nursing license vs. license by endorsement: what's the difference?

Side-by-side comparison of purpose, timeline, validity, and cost

Why most nurses apply for both at the same time

A temporary license only exists to bridge the wait for an endorsement license, so most states require a pending endorsement application before issuing one. Applying for both together keeps the timelines aligned and reduces the risk of your temporary permit expiring first.

Which one travel nurses should prioritize

The endorsement application should come first because without it there is no temporary license. If your assignment starts soon, also request the temporary license where available. If you hold a multistate license, look at compact-state assignments first to skip extra licensing. Pay varies by state and experience, so compare options with our pay data and browse travel nurse jobs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start working on a temporary nursing license right away?

Yes, once the board has issued it and you have confirmation, you can work within its terms and expiration date. Employers will verify it before your start date. Don't start working on an application that is only pending.

Can a new graduate get a temporary nursing license before passing the NCLEX?

In some states, yes, through a graduate permit that usually requires supervised practice. Many states don't offer these permits. Where they exist, they typically end if you fail the NCLEX.

Which states don't issue temporary nursing licenses?

The list changes as states update their rules, so check the board of nursing website for the specific state. Some states offer temporary licenses only to certain applicants, such as endorsement candidates.

Can I get a temporary license in more than one state at once?

Generally yes, as long as you meet each state's requirements and have a pending endorsement application in each. Each state handles its own application, fees, and expiration date. Keep track of every deadline separately.

Does a temporary nursing license convert automatically to a full license?

No. The board issues your full license separately once your endorsement application is approved. When that happens, the temporary license is no longer needed.

Ready for your next assignment? Browse travel nurse jobs on NurseTide.

Related Reading

• How a Multistate (Compact) Nursing License Works