Last Updated: April 2026
Securing your Arizona nursing license opens doors to high-demand facilities across the Southwest while offering full Nurse Licensure Compact mobility. A major friction point that stalls out-of-state applicants is the mandatory Fingerprint Clearance Card. Waiting for the Board to request your fingerprints rather than submitting them immediately to the Department of Public Safety guarantees processing delays.
This guide delivers the steps to navigate the Arizona State Board of Nursing requirements quickly. You will find clear instructions for endorsement, compact residency rules, temporary permit eligibility, and the state’s 960-hour practice requirement for renewals. Using this resource ensures you clear background checks smoothly and begin your next clinical assignment on time.
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 AZ 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.
Arizona is a full NLC member. Nurses who declare Arizona as their Primary State of Residence (PSOR) may qualify for a multistate license.
Moving to Arizona from another compact state:
If you hold an active multistate license in another compact state and relocate to Arizona, you must apply for Arizona licensure by endorsement within 60 days of establishing Arizona residency.
Application by Examination: $150
Application by Endorsement: $150
License Renewal Fee: $160
License Reinstatement Fee : $310
Fees vary and are subject to change. Always verify the most current pricing directly with the Board of Nursing.
Arizona State Board of Nursing
1740 W Adams Street, Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85007
To renew an Arizona RN license you must:
Renewals can be submitted up to 6 months before the renewal due date or within the 30 days following the due date..
Unlike many states that require a fixed number of continuing education hours, Arizona uses a practice-competency model for license renewal. This means nurses must demonstrate recent clinical practice or another approved competency pathway when renewing their license.
To renew an Arizona RN license, you must meet one of the following practice or education pathways within the past 5 years:
Renewal Fee: $160
If you do not renew your Arizona nursing license by the due date and it lapses, you must apply for reinstatement through AZBN before resuming practice. The specific requirements will vary based on how long the license has been inactive, including potentially taking a refresher course, paying late fees, or providing employment history.
If you already hold an active nursing license in another U.S. state or territory and want to practice in Arizona, you can apply for Arizona nursing license by endorsement through the Arizona Board of Nursing.
Because Arizona participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), nurses whose primary state of residence is another compact state may already practice in Arizona using their multistate license.
You may apply for a Arizona RN license by endorsement if you:
Arizona requires a Fingerprint Clearance Card for all examination and endorsement applicants. This criminal background check is processed directly through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Do not wait for the Arizona State Board of Nursing to request your fingerprints. Initiate this process immediately after submitting your application. Waiting for a prompt from the Board will stall your license approval and delay your start date.
Fingerprinting is required for all endorsement applicants. The only exemption from this requirement is if you have submitted a fingerprint card to the AZBN within the last 2 years.
Self-administered fingerprint cards are not accepted.
Incomplete or improperly submitted fingerprints are one of the most common reasons Arizona license applications are delayed, so it’s important to complete this step as early as possible after submitting your application.
Application Fee: $100
NCLEX Exam Fee: $200
Arizona offers a Arizona temporary permit (commonly called a walk-through) for certain RN/LPN endorsement applicants. This allows you to start practicing sooner under a temporary permit while your full license is being processed.
Arizona is a top destination for travel nurses, offering major clinical assignments across Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Scottsdale. Because Arizona is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, travelers holding an active multistate license can begin working immediately without a separate credential. However, many nurses unintentionally trigger Arizona residency by obtaining a local driver’s license, registering a vehicle, or signing a long-term lease. Once you establish Arizona 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. Explore current travel nursing jobs in Arizona to find assignments that match your experience.
Explore our travel nurse jobs in Arizona to find your next great assignment.
The Arizona nursing license renewal fee is $160. Licenses must be renewed every four years by the last day of the nurse’s birth month to avoid a lapsed status.
Arizona does not require traditional continuing education hours for standard RN or LPN license renewal. Instead, applicants must demonstrate professional competency by completing 960 hours of nursing practice within the previous five years, completing a Board-approved refresher course, or graduating from a nursing program within the last five years.
Yes. Arizona is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing nurses who declare Arizona as their primary state of residence to obtain a multistate license.
Yes. Arizona issues a temporary nursing license exclusively to endorsement applicants for a $50 fee. This temporary permit is valid for up to six months and is strictly non-renewable.
You must apply by endorsement in the AZBN Nurse Portal, complete DPS fingerprinting for your clearance card, and request license verification through Nursys.
If you miss your birth-month renewal deadline, your license immediately lapses, and you cannot legally practice. To return to work, you must complete the reinstatement process, which costs $310 and requires proof of competency.
Advantis Medical helps you leverage your license with 4,000+ high-paying travel nurse jobs & fast starts —trusted by thousands and backed by 700+ 5-star reviews.
