Nursing License from California to Vermont: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) ↗
A nursing license transfers from California to Vermont by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation), verify your California license, and meet Vermont's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This direction has a silver lining. California is outside the compact, so you have been carrying a single-state license — but Vermont is a member. Endorse into Vermont, establish it as your primary residence, meet the uniform licensure requirements, and the license you receive is multistate: one application turns into practice privileges across the whole compact.
What changes, California → Vermont
| California (current) | Vermont (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | Licensure by endorsement | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $350 (US-educated endorsement application ($750 if internationally educated); + $49 fingerprint hard card if out of state (Live Scan vendor fees vary); optional $100 temporary license) | $150 (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor) |
| Processing time | 10–13 weeks (initial evaluation mandated within 90 days; board processing page (June 2026) was reviewing US endorsement applications received about 10-12 weeks earlier; temporary license available) | 1–2 weeks (OPR states 3-5 business days once documents are complete; fingerprint results can take up to 12 weeks - a 90-day provisional license is available while pending) |
| Licensing authority | California Board of Registered Nursing | Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Vermont sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Vermont's current requirements on the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a license in good standing in another U.S. state or jurisdiction.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check (VCIC and FBI) for all first-time applicants.
- Nursys verification of your original license and your most recent state of practice (Quick Confirm report not accepted).
- Licensed 3+ years: apply via Fast Track Endorsement; under 3 years: standard endorsement.
- Pay the fees ($150 (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor)) and allow 1–2 weeks (OPR states 3-5 business days once documents are complete; fingerprint results can take up to 12 weeks - a 90-day provisional license is available while pending).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Vermont accept a California nursing license?
A nursing license transfers from California to Vermont by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation), verify your California license, and meet Vermont's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from California to Vermont?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
$150 (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor) (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor).
How long will it take?
1–2 weeks (OPR states 3-5 business days once documents are complete; fingerprint results can take up to 12 weeks - a 90-day provisional license is available while pending) — OPR states 3-5 business days once documents are complete; fingerprint results can take up to 12 weeks - a 90-day provisional license is available while pending.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Vermont OPR — Nursing Applications & Renewals ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — RN Application Instructions (Feb 2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — Initial Licensing/Renewal Fees & Dates (updated 7/1/2025) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California BRN — Licensure by Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California BRN — Endorsement Application Fees & Instructions (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California BRN — Processing Times ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]