Licensure by Endorsement

Licensure in North Carolina is required prior to employment for the practice of nursing as legally defined. Requirements and qualifications for licensure by endorsement include: 

1.Good physical and mental health
2.Completion of a practical nursing program approved by jurisdiction of original licensure; or completion of course  of study within an approved program which is comparable to that required of practical nurse graduates in NC
3.Licensure by examination as a practical or vocational nurse by the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) or National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
4.Unencumbered license in all jurisdictions in which a license is or has been held
5.Completion of all court conditions resulting from any misdemeanor/felony conviction(s)
6.Social Security Number issued by U.S. Social Security Administration.

The applicant who was licensed prior to September 1957 in another state will be considered on an individual basis in light of license requirements in North Carolina at time of original licensure. The applicant who was licensed in another state or territory by examination during or after September 1957 and who attained a standard score of 350 or above on SBTPE or NCLEX, or beginning October 1988 a pass score on NCLEX, may submit an application for licensure without examination. An applicant who graduated from an approved RN program and failed to pass the RN examination and then successfully passed the LPN examination in another state may submit an application for endorsement.

If the license has not been current within the past five years in another state, evidence of completion of a North Carolina Board of Nursing approved refresher course is required.  Once you begin the refresher course, contact the NC Board of Nursing Endorsement Department to begin your endorsement application. 

Upon receipt of the fee and a completed application, the process for endorsement begins. An application in process will remain active for one year from the last activity in processing. If the process is not completed within the one year, the applicant will be required to submit another application and fee to pursue licensure in North Carolina. Following verification of licensure and qualifications, the applicant will be issued a North Carolina certificate of registration and a license. Once issued, in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act, the license must be renewed to remain on an active status in this state. A renewal reminder (postcard notification) will be mailed to the last known address 90 days prior to the date the current license expires. A license may be renewed via our website or by requesting a paper application. On-time renewal of licensure will be for two (2) years and will expire the last day of the birth month. For initial licensure, licensure may be for less than two (2) years in order to place the expiration on the birth month.

If a temporary license is requested, eligibility will be determined and, if eligible, temporary licensure will be issued within two weeks. A paper temporary license will not be sent. Visit our website to verify all temporary licenses. The temporary license permits the applicant to practice nursing in this state while the application is in process. A temporary license is valid for six months or until endorsement is completed, whichever comes first, and is nonrenewable. In accordance with U.S. Title 42 U.S.C. 405 et.al. and Section 343 of Public Law 104-208(1996) and N.C. Statute 93 B-14, an individual must have a U.S. Social Security number to be issued a full license in North Carolina. If the applicant does not have a U.S. Social Security number, he/she should IMMEDIATELY file an application with the Social Security Administration upon issuance of the Temporary License and send this office a photocopy of the card when it is received.