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LicenseReciprocity

Transfer Your Nursing License to Virginia: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Virginia Board of Nursing ↗

Yes — Virginia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN with a multistate license from another member state can start work in Virginia without applying for anything. Coming from a non-compact state, you apply to the Virginia Board of Nursing by endorsement ($190 (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor)); the NCLEX is never repeated.

Moving to Virginia from a specific state?

Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.

Run the Reciprocity Checker →

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 — Virginia requires nothing from you. If you are actually moving to Virginia, you are changing your primary state of residence, and that means an endorsement application to the Virginia Board of Nursing to re-home your multistate license.

eNLC member — nurses whose primary state of residence is a compact state practice in Virginia on their multistate license and must apply in their home state, not Virginia. Endorsement is for nurses licensed by examination in another U.S. state; applications are online only.

Virginia requirements at a glance

Out-of-state nursing license transfer requirements for Virginia, verified 2026-07-21
ExamNCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys
Additional requirements
  • Hold an active RN license obtained by NCLEX examination in another U.S. state
  • Fingerprint-based criminal background check
  • License verification from your original state of licensure (the state where you took the NCLEX)
  • Provide proof of your primary state of residence
Fees$190 (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor)
Processing timeboard does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe

Step by step

  1. Confirm Virginia's current requirements on the Virginia Board of Nursing website — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Virginia Board of Nursing (application linked on this page).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Hold an active RN license obtained by NCLEX examination in another U.S. state.
  5. Fingerprint-based criminal background check.
  6. License verification from your original state of licensure (the state where you took the NCLEX).
  7. Provide proof of your primary state of residence.
  8. Pay the fees ($190 (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor)) and allow board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe.

Official links

Virginia Board of Nursing ↗Virginia application ↗License verification ↗Nurse Licensure Compact ↗

Coming from a specific state?

Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Virginia:

Alabama → VirginiaArizona → VirginiaArkansas → VirginiaCalifornia → VirginiaColorado → VirginiaConnecticut → VirginiaDelaware → VirginiaFlorida → VirginiaGeorgia → VirginiaIdaho → VirginiaIllinois → VirginiaIndiana → VirginiaIowa → VirginiaKansas → VirginiaKentucky → VirginiaLouisiana → VirginiaMaine → VirginiaMaryland → VirginiaMichigan → VirginiaMississippi → Virginia
All 43 origin states
Missouri → VirginiaMontana → VirginiaNebraska → VirginiaNew Hampshire → VirginiaNew Jersey → VirginiaNew Mexico → VirginiaNew York → VirginiaNorth Carolina → VirginiaNorth Dakota → VirginiaOhio → VirginiaOklahoma → VirginiaPennsylvania → VirginiaRhode Island → VirginiaSouth Carolina → VirginiaSouth Dakota → VirginiaTennessee → VirginiaTexas → VirginiaUtah → VirginiaVermont → VirginiaWashington → VirginiaWest Virginia → VirginiaWisconsin → VirginiaWyoming → Virginia

Frequently asked questions

Does my nursing license transfer to Virginia?

Yes — Virginia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN with a multistate license from another member state can start work in Virginia without applying for anything. Coming from a non-compact state, you apply to the Virginia Board of Nursing by endorsement ($190 (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor)); the NCLEX is never repeated.

Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in Virginia?

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 Virginia?

$190 (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor) (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor).

How long does Virginia take to process an endorsement application?

board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe — board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe.

Is Virginia in the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Yes — Virginia is an NLC member as of 2026-07-21. A multistate license from another member state is valid in Virginia 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.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]