Transfer Your Nursing License to District of Columbia: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: District of Columbia Board of Nursing ↗
District of Columbia is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so no out-of-state license — multistate or single-state — authorizes practice there. Every incoming RN applies to the District of Columbia Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement: $280 (combined application + criminal background check fee, Visa/MasterCard only; + $30 Nursys verification fee), typical processing ~6 weeks (board asks applicants to allow 30 business days after applying before checking application status), and the NCLEX is not retaken.
Moving to District of Columbia from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Plan the timeline first. Because District of Columbia recognizes no outside license, you cannot legally work a single shift there until its own license (or temporary permit, where offered) is in hand — and unlike compact states, there is no shortcut for travel or telehealth work either.
Not an NLC member — a compact multistate license does not cover DC; every out-of-state RN must obtain a separate DC license by endorsement.
District of Columbia requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; official verification of your original NCLEX-based licensure is submitted through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements |
|
| Fees | $280 (combined application + criminal background check fee, Visa/MasterCard only; + $30 Nursys verification fee) |
| Processing time | ~6 weeks (board asks applicants to allow 30 business days after applying before checking application status) |
Step by step
- Confirm District of Columbia's current requirements on the District of Columbia Board of Nursing website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check through Fieldprint (appointment scheduled after paying the application fee).
- Official verification from your original state of licensure via Nursys (email verification for non-participating boards).
- Hold a current RN license and be continuously in good standing in every jurisdiction where you hold or have held a license.
- Original licensure must have been based on passing the NCLEX-RN or the State Board Test Pool Examination.
- Upload a US government-issued photo ID and a 2x2 front-facing photo on a white background.
- Pay the fees ($280 (combined application + criminal background check fee, Visa/MasterCard only; + $30 Nursys verification fee)) and allow ~6 weeks (board asks applicants to allow 30 business days after applying before checking application status).
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into District of Columbia:
Frequently asked questions
Does my nursing license transfer to District of Columbia?
District of Columbia is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so no out-of-state license — multistate or single-state — authorizes practice there. Every incoming RN applies to the District of Columbia Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement: $280 (combined application + criminal background check fee, Visa/MasterCard only; + $30 Nursys verification fee), typical processing ~6 weeks (board asks applicants to allow 30 business days after applying before checking application status), and the NCLEX is not retaken.
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in District of Columbia?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; official verification of your original NCLEX-based licensure is submitted through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
How much does it cost to transfer an RN license to District of Columbia?
$280 (combined application + criminal background check fee, Visa/MasterCard only; + $30 Nursys verification fee) (combined application + criminal background check fee, Visa/MasterCard only; + $30 Nursys verification fee).
How long does District of Columbia take to process an endorsement application?
~6 weeks (board asks applicants to allow 30 business days after applying before checking application status) — board asks applicants to allow 30 business days after applying before checking application status.
Is District of Columbia in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
No. District of Columbia does not participate as of 2026-07-21, so compact multistate licenses carry no practice privilege there.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- DC Health — RN Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- DC Board of Nursing — Registered Nurse Endorsement Requirements (PDF) ↗ (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]