Nursing License from Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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. Illinois 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, Illinois → Vermont
| Illinois (current) | Vermont (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | Licensure by endorsement | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $50–$75 ($50 non-refundable endorsement fee, or $75 with the optional 6-month temporary permit (+$25); fingerprint fee paid separately to a licensed livescan vendor) | $150 (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor) |
| Processing time | no processing range stated in IDFPR application materials | 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 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Board of 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 Illinois nursing license?
A nursing license transfers from Illinois 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 Illinois license, and meet Vermont's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Illinois 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)
- IDFPR — Registered Nurse Instruction Sheet (Examination/Endorsement/Restoration), rev. 4/24 ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — Nurses profession page ↗ (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]