Last Updated: April 2026
Practicing with a Texas nursing license grants access to a massive healthcare market and full mobility under the Nurse Licensure Compact. While the process is streamlined, two requirements regularly slow applicants down: fingerprinting through the FAST system and passing the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (NJE). Delaying either step causes your application to sit pending.
This guide explains how to navigate the Texas licensing process without unnecessary delays. You will learn how to apply by endorsement, complete the jurisprudence exam, renew your RN license, meet specific continuing education requirements, and submit fingerprinting correctly. The goal is simple: help you clear the Texas Board of Nursing requirements quickly so you can start your next assignment on schedule.
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 TX 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.
Texas requires all RN and LVN applicants to complete a state and federal criminal background check before a license can be issued. The Texas Board of Nursing manages fingerprinting through the FAST (Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas) system operated by IdentoGO.
Applicants should complete fingerprint registration early in the process. The Board cannot finalize license approval or issue a temporary permit until fingerprint results are received.
In-State (Texas Applicants):
Schedule fingerprinting through the FAST (Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas) program via an approved vendor (IdentoGO/MorphoTrust).
Out-of-State: Submit a fingerprint card or an approved method as required by TBON.
Licensure by Endorsement: $150
Licensure by Examination: $75
RN License Renewal: $68
Late Renewal : $60 -$120
Fingerprinting & Background Checks: ~$39
Fees vary and are subject to change. Always verify the most current pricing directly with the Board of Nursing.
Texas Board of Nursing
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200
Austin, TX 78701
Texas RN licenses renew every 2 years, and you must renew before the expiration date to continue practicing. Renewal notices are sent via email, but you are responsible for renewing even if you do not receive one.
To renew and maintain an active Texas RN license, you must:
Texas does not offer a grace period — practicing after expiration without compact privileges is not permitted.
Texas requires 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education every renewal period. Additional requirements can apply based on practice:
CNE must be completed with a Texas-approved CNE provider, and records must be kept for at least 4 years for audit.
Renewal Fee: $68
Late Fee: Additional $60–$120 depending on time lapsed
If you already hold an active nursing license in another U.S. state or territory, you may apply for a Texas nursing license by endorsement. Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so nurses with an active multistate license from another compact state may practice in Texas without obtaining a separate Texas license
You may apply for a Texas RN license by endorsement if you:
If moving to Texas and changing your primary state of residence, you must apply for Texas licensure within 60 days to maintain multi-state privileges.
Endorsement Application Fee: $125
Jurisprudence Exam: No Fee
This pathway is designed for first-time RN or LVN applicants who have completed an approved United States nursing program and have never been licensed in another state. New graduates must apply through the Texas Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX exam before a permanent license can be issued.
Texas offers a temporary Graduate Nurse (GN) or Graduate Vocational Nurse (GVN) permit for examination applicants. Once you meet all application requirements and receive your ATT, the Board issues this permit so you can begin practicing under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The permit is valid for 75 days and expires immediately if you fail the NCLEX.
Application Fee: $75
NCLEX Exam Fee: $200
Texas is a prime destination for travel nurses, offering immense clinical opportunities across major healthcare hubs like Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin. Because Texas is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, travelers holding an active multistate license can begin working immediately without applying for a separate credential. If you relocate permanently to establish Texas 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 and jurisprudence exams are being processed. Explore current travel nursing jobs in Texas to find assignments that match your experience.
Pro Tip for Travelers: The Texas Board of Nursing will not issue a license or temporary permit until fingerprinting is completed through the FAST system. Do not delay this step; out-of-state nurses who wait to register for fingerprinting or mail their hard cards often push their start dates back by several weeks.
Explore our travel nurse jobs in Texas to find your next great assignment.
Yes. Texas 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 Texas license.
The Texas RN license renewal fee is $68. If you renew during the late period after expiration, the total fee increases to between $128 and $188, depending on how much time has lapsed.
Texas requires 20 contact hours of Board-approved Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) every two years. Nurses must also complete a two-hour Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics course every third renewal cycle, a one-time Human Trafficking Prevention course, and specialized training if working with older adults or performing forensic evidence collection.
The Texas Board of Nursing targets a 15-business-day processing time once all required documents are received, but the entire process typically takes four to eight weeks. Delays are most commonly caused by missing fingerprint results or incomplete license verifications.
Yes. Texas automatically issues a temporary permit to qualified endorsement applicants who have completed the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and passed the initial background review. This permit is valid for 120 days, requires no additional fee, and cannot be renewed.
You cannot legally practice in Texas if your license expires, as the state offers no grace period. You have a 90-day window to renew late by paying an additional penalty fee, after which the license becomes delinquent and requires a formal reinstatement process before you can legally return to practice.
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.
