
The entire country’s medical system is continuing to adapt to the shifting demands of COVID-19. Keeping track of it all can be tricky, since the various states are modifying their arrangements in different ways. To make things more convenient, here is a quick summary of changes in nursing licensure, organized by state.
Segments will evaluate a state’s support of a Nurse Licensure Compact (or a multi-state license that allows nurses to practice in other states), changes in licensure wait time and a host of other miscellaneous rule changes.
For further information, each section ends with a link to the respective state’s Board of Nursing website.
Alabama
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 48 hours
Nurse Licensure Compact : Yes
Alaska
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 10-15 days; potentially expedited
Due to COVID-19, 14 days of quarantine may be required before working following inter-US travel
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
American Samoa
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Arizona
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 30 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Arkansas
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if sufficient time to process application (see wait time)
Licensure wait time: 2 weeks; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
California
Nurses must have an active CA nursing license.
Licensure wait time: 8-10 weeks
As of December 18, 2020 - Continuing education requirements for current healthcare licensees and reactivation requirements for inactive, retired, or canceled licenses have both been waived.
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Colorado
Any active license from a compact license (multi or single-state) accepted
Licensure wait time: 8 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Connecticut
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 15 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Delaware
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 7 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Washington, D.C.
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 3-6 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Florida
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 10-30 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Georgia
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process application(see wait time)
Licensure wait time: 15 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Guam
Submitted 1135 waiver; any active nursing license can apply with the state's BON
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Hawaii
Any active nursing license
Licensure wait time: 1 day
Note: 14 days of quarantine may be required before working following inter-US travel
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Idaho
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 7-10 days; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Illinois
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications. (current emergency application)
Licensure wait time: 2-4 weeks; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Indiana
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 2 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Iowa
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process application (see wait time)
Licensure wait time: 5 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Kansas
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if sufficient time to process application (see wait time)
Licensure wait time: 2-4 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Kentucky
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 2 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Louisiana
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized
Licensure wait time: <1 day
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Maine
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 7 days; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Maryland
Any active nursing license
Licensure wait time: 5 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Massachusetts
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 2-4 weeks; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Michigan
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 3-5 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Minnesota
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 1-2 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Mississippi
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 7-10 days
Note: temporary license FAQ
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Missouri
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 7-10 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Montana
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 10 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Nebraska
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 2-3 weeks
Note: 14 days of quarantine may be required before working following inter-US travel
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Nevada
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 7-10 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
New Hampshire
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications. (current emergency license)
Licensure wait time: 1-2 days (after criminal background check); potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
New Jersey
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 8-12 weeks; potentially expedited
Note: Partially implemented nurse licensure compact — nurses holding compact licenses will find their licenses valid in New Jersey (for at least 180 days)
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
New Mexico
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 5 days
Note: 14 days of quarantine may be required before working following inter-US travel
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
New York
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 4-6 weeks; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
North Carolina
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 2-3 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
North Dakota
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 3-5 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Northern Mariana Islands
Submitted 1135 waiver; any active nursing license can apply with the state's BON
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Ohio
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 1-2 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Oklahoma
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 1-5 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Oregon
Any active nursing license
Licensure wait time: 3-6 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Pennsylvania
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 1-2 weeks; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Puerto Rico
Submitted 1135 waiver; any active nursing license can apply with the state's BON
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Rhode Island
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 4 weeks
Note: 14 days of quarantine may be required before working following inter-US travel
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
South Carolina
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time <1 day; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
South Dakota
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 2 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Tennessee
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 6 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Texas
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized.
Licensure wait time: 15 days
Note: 14 days of quarantine may be required before working following inter-US travel
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Utah
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 3 weeks
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Vermont
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 5 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Virgin Islands
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
Virginia
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 10 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Washington
Nurses must initiate their licensure applications.
Licensure wait time: 3 weeks; potentially expedited
Nurse Licensure Compact: No
West Virginia
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 7 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Wisconsin
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 30 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes
Wyoming
Any active nursing licenses will be recognized, if there is sufficient time to process your application (see wait time).
Licensure wait time: 15 days
Nurse Licensure Compact: Yes