Last Updated: April 2026
Practicing with a North Carolina nursing license offers access to leading medical centers and full Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) mobility. While the North Carolina Board of Nursing processes applications efficiently, the most common delay for out-of-state nurses involves the mandatory criminal background check. Mailing traditional fingerprint cards instead of utilizing in-state Live Scan services guarantees your application will sit pending for weeks.
Below you’ll find the exact endorsement steps, fingerprint submission process, continuing competence options, and renewal deadlines enforced by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON). This guide helps you navigate the system so you can start your next assignment or job without licensing delays.
As a dedicated service for clinicians taking future assignments with Advantis Medical, our licensing experts provide 1-on-1 support to reduce stress and shorten processing times.
We’ll help you quickly get your NC license & connect you to top contracts in the state.
Our licensing specialists are your partners in navigating the complexities of state licensing so you can move forward with confidence. From understanding state requirements to submitting documentation, our team works closely with you to keep the process simple, organized, and efficient.
North Carolina requires all RN and LPN applicants to complete a state and federal criminal background check. Do not delay your fingerprint submission. The North Carolina Board of Nursing cannot finalize your permanent license or issue a temporary permit until your background check results are successfully processed.
In-State Applicants: Complete your Live Scan fingerprinting at an approved North Carolina location for electronic transmission.
Out of State Applicants:
Nurses applying from outside North Carolina who cannot access an in-state Live Scan location must submit traditional hard fingerprint cards.
Mail your completed fingerprint cards to the Board immediately after submitting your application forms and fee. Manual paper fingerprint processing takes significantly longer than electronic submissions and is one of the most common reasons endorsement licenses are delayed.
Licensure by Endorsement: $150
Licensure by Examination: $75.00 + $ 38.00 for Criminal Background Check
RN License Renewal: $100
Reinstatement of Lapsed License: $180
Fees vary and are subject to change. Always verify the most current pricing directly with the Board of Nursing.
NC Board of Nursing
PO Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602
North Carolina nursing licenses expire at midnight on the last day of your birth month every two years. You can renew your license up to 90 days before your expiration date through the NCBON Nurse Portal. The state does not offer a grace period.
To renew your North Carolina nursing license, you must complete one of the approved Continuing Competence options before your expiration date. Common options include:
Renewal Fee: $100
If you hold an active, unencumbered license in another U.S. jurisdiction, you can apply to the North Carolina Board of Nursing to endorse your license rather than taking the NCLEX again.
You may apply by endorsement if you hold an active license, graduated from an approved nursing program, and have an unencumbered disciplinary history. If you are moving to North Carolina from another compact state, you must apply for licensure within 60 days to maintain your multistate privileges.
Endorsement Application Fee: $150
First-time RN or LVN applicants educated in the U.S. who have not been licensed in any other state.
Application Fee: $75
NCLEX Exam Fee: $200
You may be eligible for a non-renewable Temporary License that allows you to work as a nurse in North Carolina while your full endorsement application is being processed. A Temporary License can only be issued within the first six months after submitting your endorsement application and remains valid for up to six months or until your permanent license is granted — whichever occurs first.
Fee: $0 (No addtional fee)
Time Frame: Typically issued within 2–3 weeks
Validity:Up to 6 months or until permanent license is issued (whichever comes first)
Renewal: Non-renewable; may be issued only once
North Carolina hosts several major healthcare systems across Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Winston-Salem, making it an excellent market for contract clinicians. Because North Carolina is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, travelers holding an active multistate license can begin working immediately without applying for a separate state credential. If you relocate permanently to establish North Carolina as your primary residence, you must apply for a single-state license by endorsement within a strict 60-day window. Endorsement applicants can utilize a temporary permit to practice while their background checks are processed.
Once your licensing is in place, browse our travel nursing jobs in North Carolina to see available contracts across the state.
Pro Tip for Travelers: Submitting hard fingerprint cards is the most common cause of endorsement delays for out-of-state nurses. Do not wait for the Board to prompt you; request your forms immediately and mail your completed cards to the North Carolina Board of Nursing to prevent your start date from being postponed.
Explore our travel nurse jobs in North Carolina to find your next great assignment.
Yes. North Carolina is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing nurses with an active multistate license from another compact state to practice without applying for a separate license.
The North Carolina RN and LPN license renewal fee is $100. If your license has lapsed, you must apply for reinstatement, which costs $180.
North Carolina requires you to complete one of eight approved Continuing Competence options before renewal, such as completing 30 contact hours of continuing education or maintaining national certification.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing typically issues a temporary license for endorsement applicants within two to three weeks. The permanent license is issued once all requirements, including the manual processing of out-of-state fingerprint cards, are successfully completed.
Yes. The North Carolina Board of Nursing issues a one-time, non-renewable temporary license to qualified endorsement applicants at no additional cost. This permit is valid for up to six months while your permanent license is being processed.
North Carolina nursing licenses expire at midnight on the last day of your birth month every two years. The state does not offer a grace period, and your license becomes inactive immediately if you fail to renew on time.
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