Transfer Your Nursing License to Pennsylvania: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing ↗
Pennsylvania is a Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate license from another compact state works in Pennsylvania immediately, with no new application. Nurses from non-compact states (California, New York, and the other non-members) apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement — the NCLEX is not retaken.
Moving to Pennsylvania from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
NLC member — multistate license honored
Whether you need to do anything at all depends on the license in your pocket. If you hold a multistate license and your primary residence stays in another compact state — a travel contract, a border commute, telehealth — Pennsylvania requires nothing from you. If you are actually moving to Pennsylvania, you are changing your primary state of residence, and that means an endorsement application to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing to re-home your multistate license.
NLC member — Pennsylvania fully implemented the NLC on July 7, 2025 and is now issuing multistate licenses. A multistate license from another compact state is honored without a PA application unless PA becomes the primary state of residence.
Pennsylvania requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements |
|
| Fees | $120–$180 ($120 single-state endorsement / $180 multistate endorsement (multistate requires PA primary residence); + fingerprinting costs; $105 to convert an existing PA license to multistate) |
| Processing time | board's licensure guide states no fixed timeframe; delays are reduced by having schools and boards send documents directly to the Board |
Step by step
- Confirm Pennsylvania's current requirements on the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Fingerprint-based FBI criminal background check for all new applicants.
- Complete 3 hours of Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting continuing education (Act 31).
- Verification of licensure from each state or jurisdiction where you hold or have held a license.
- Graduation from an approved professional nursing education program equivalent to a Pennsylvania RN program.
- Pay the fees ($120–$180 ($120 single-state endorsement / $180 multistate endorsement (multistate requires PA primary residence); + fingerprinting costs; $105 to convert an existing PA license to multistate)) and allow board's licensure guide states no fixed timeframe; delays are reduced by having schools and boards send documents directly to the Board.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Pennsylvania:
All 50 origin states
Frequently asked questions
Does my nursing license transfer to Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is a Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate license from another compact state works in Pennsylvania immediately, with no new application. Nurses from non-compact states (California, New York, and the other non-members) apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement — the NCLEX is not retaken.
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in Pennsylvania?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
How much does it cost to transfer an RN license to Pennsylvania?
$120–$180 ($120 single-state endorsement / $180 multistate endorsement (multistate requires PA primary residence); + fingerprinting costs; $105 to convert an existing PA license to multistate) ($120 single-state endorsement / $180 multistate endorsement (multistate requires PA primary residence); + fingerprinting costs; $105 to convert an existing PA license to multistate).
How long does Pennsylvania take to process an endorsement application?
board's licensure guide states no fixed timeframe; delays are reduced by having schools and boards send documents directly to the Board — board's licensure guide states no fixed timeframe; delays are reduced by having schools and boards send documents directly to the Board.
Is Pennsylvania in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes — Pennsylvania is an NLC member as of 2026-07-21. A multistate license from another member state is valid in Pennsylvania without any application, as long as your primary residence stays in a member state.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- PA Department of State — Nurse Licensure Compact (implementation and fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PA Department of State — Nursing Licensure Guide (background check, Act 31 CE, verifications) ↗ (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]