Verify a New Hampshire Nurse—or Renew Before the Birthday Deadline
Most visitors are not looking for a general description of the Board. They need to confirm whether a nurse is currently licensed, find the exact birthday expiration date, renew within the 60-day window or understand why a registration code, CE record or application item is missing.
New Hampshire separates these tasks across License Verification, the Online Licensing Portal, Nursys, CE documentation and OPLC forms. This guide brings the practical rules, current fees and troubleshooting steps together.
Use License Verification to check public status, expiration and credential type. Use the private Online Licensing Portal to renew, apply, request a temporary license, update information or retrieve a receipt.
Verify a nurse or assistant
Check RN, LPN, APRN, LNA, MNA and other OPLC credential records.
Renew RN, LPN or APRN
Use the registration code, document practice and CE, and submit before your birthday.
Check an application
Review portal information, email notices, fingerprints and direct-source documents.
Review nursing programs
Check Board resources, program status and multi-year NCLEX performance.
Apply by endorsement
Prepare Nursys verification, fingerprints, active practice and continuing education.
New Hampshire nursing-license facts to check first
Birthday renewal deadline
Nursing renewal is due by midnight on the licensee’s date of birth in the applicable renewal year.
Biennial license cycle
New Hampshire nursing licenses are renewed for two-year periods.
Active-practice requirement
RN and LPN renewal applicants generally need 400 working hours within four years unless they completed NCLEX within two years.
RN and LPN education
RN and LPN applicants generally need 30 contact hours within two years unless the recent-NCLEX exemption applies.
New Hampshire is compact
Eligible New Hampshire-resident RNs and LPNs may receive a multistate license.
Health-program fee
A separate $28 Professionals’ Health Program fee applies to initial, renewal and reinstatement nursing applications.
Renewal must be approved before the deadline when an audit applies. The Board’s audit form advises audited applicants to submit the renewal, certificates and audit documentation one to two weeks before expiration.
The online portal does not allow renewal more than 60 days before expiration. The registration code is normally sent by email when that window opens.
How to verify a New Hampshire nursing license
Use the OPLC License Verification system for a current public result. Search the separate Board Actions area when disciplinary documents or formal orders are relevant.
Open official License Verification
Use the state service instead of a private directory, old certificate or employer screenshot.
Open Official LookupSearch by license number when available
A complete license number usually produces the cleanest match. Otherwise use the current legal name.
Match the correct credential
Confirm RN, LPN, APRN, LNA, MNA or another nursing-related credential rather than assuming one record covers every role.
Read status and expiration
Confirm that the status is current and that the expiration date covers the intended work date.
Check Board Actions separately
A short lookup result may not contain every detail of a disciplinary order, consent agreement or restriction.
Record the verification date
Employers should retain the official source, exact credential, status, expiration and date checked.
| Result or status | What it means | Correct next action |
|---|---|---|
| Active | The displayed credential is currently active under the record shown. | Confirm expiration, profession and compact status where relevant. |
| Active-Pending Renewal | A renewal transaction may have been received but final review can remain pending. | Read the live record and contact OPLC when employment authority is unclear. |
| Expired or lapsed | The credential is not current for ordinary practice. | Complete reinstatement and wait for active status before practice. |
| Temporary license | Limited authority exists until the permanent application decision or stated expiration. | Confirm the exact expiration and supervision requirement. |
| Probation, restriction or discipline | Conditions or Board action may affect practice. | Read the complete official order before making a decision. |
| No result | The search information may be wrong or the credential may not yet be issued. | Try a prior name, exact license number or application-account check. |
No result found? Check these first
OPLC does not complete another state’s verification form. Use License Verification, Board Actions, Nursys or OPLC’s written-verification request process.
Renew a New Hampshire RN, LPN or APRN license
Renewal opens no more than 60 days before expiration. Use the registration code emailed with the renewal notice, log into the existing account and submit by midnight on the birthday deadline.
Confirm the exact birthday expiration date
Open public License Verification and record the date shown instead of estimating from a previous renewal year.
Check ExpirationWait for the 60-day renewal window
The online portal will not accept a renewal more than 60 days before the expiration date.
Prepare active-practice and CE evidence
RN/LPN applicants generally need 400 work hours within four years and 30 CE hours within two years unless NCLEX was completed within two years.
Log in using the existing User ID
Use Retrieve User ID when the account is forgotten. Do not create a duplicate account for the same license.
Open Licensing PortalSelect Renew from the left menu
The official help guide says to select “Renew,” not “View Checklist,” when starting the transaction.
Submit, pay and verify the new record
Complete the survey or opt-out step, pay the applicable fees and confirm the updated expiration publicly.
Registration code
OPLC normally emails the registration code approximately 60 days before expiration. The code does not change every renewal period.
Midnight birthday cutoff
Submit the completed nursing renewal by midnight on the licensee’s date of birth in the renewal year.
Expired licenses cannot be renewed online. Follow the Board’s reinstatement process and do not practise until the reinstated license is approved and active.
Use Chrome, Edge or Firefox on a PC or laptop. OPLC advises against Safari, browser autofill and last-day renewal because these can cause account-linking or submission problems.
New Hampshire active-practice and CE requirements
RN and LPN renewal requires both recent active practice and continuing education unless the applicant completed NCLEX within the stated two-year exemption period.
Active nursing practice
Document at least 400 working hours within the four years immediately before the application date.
RN or LPN education
Complete at least 30 contact hours during the two years immediately before the application date.
Recent-exam exemption
An applicant who completed NCLEX within two years of the application date may use that recent examination instead of the standard practice and CE documentation.
| Credential | Practice requirement | Continuing education | Important exception |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN | 400 working hours within four years. | 30 contact hours within two years. | Recent NCLEX within two years can satisfy the stated renewal checklist exemption. |
| LPN | 400 working hours within four years. | 30 contact hours within two years. | Recent NCLEX within two years can satisfy the stated renewal checklist exemption. |
| APRN | Maintain the underlying RN renewal requirements. | 30 additional APRN hours, including specialty and pharmacology requirements. | Current national certification is also required. |
| LNA | Follow the current LNA renewal and employment requirements. | 12 hours per year, normally 24 hours per two-year cycle. | Medication certification includes medication-specific hours. |
CE record checklist
New Hampshire uses CE Broker-related services, but the renewal checklist also instructs nurses to upload required CE documentation into the online application. Follow the current portal instruction shown for your renewal.
An audited applicant must provide proof with the audit form. Missing or unapproved audit documentation can delay renewal beyond the birthday expiration date.
New Hampshire nursing license and renewal fees
The current OPLC fee rules took effect July 1, 2025. A separate $28 Professionals’ Health Program fee applies to Board of Nursing initial, renewal and reinstatement applications.
| Transaction | Base fee | Additional amount | Practical total note |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN or LPN initial license | $88 | $28 health-program fee | Background-check and other service costs can be separate. |
| RN or LPN renewal | $88 | $28 health-program fee | Current expected licensing and health-program components total $116 before other charges. |
| RN or LPN reinstatement | $88 | $28 health-program fee | Additional documentation or reentry requirements can apply. |
| APRN initial, renewal or reinstatement | $110 | $28 health-program fee | When RN and APRN are processed together, the health-program fee is not charged twice. |
| LNA initial, renewal or reinstatement | $38 | Check current portal total | Two-year LNA transaction. |
| MNA initial, renewal or reinstatement | $11 | Check current portal total | Medication Nursing Assistant certification transaction. |
| Separate temporary-license application | $40 | Regular application must also be filed | No separate fee applies when OPLC issues temporary authority automatically from the regular application. |
| Written OPLC verification | $10 | None stated | Verification is sent by email; OPLC does not complete another organization’s form. |
| Nursys verification | Current Nursys fee | Paid to Nursys | Use for participating state-to-state nursing-board verification. |
| Criminal background check | Applicant pays current charge | Fingerprint service may charge separately | Follow the current in-state or out-of-state instructions. |
Fees are generally non-refundable. Review the final portal total before paying, especially when renewing both RN and APRN credentials.
Check a New Hampshire nursing application
New Hampshire sends application notices and issued licenses to the designated email address. Check the online account, inbox, spam folder and direct-source document status before submitting duplicate materials.
Sign in to the original application account
Use the User ID connected to the application. Retrieve it rather than creating another profile.
Open Online LicensingCheck the designated email inbox
OPLC treats successfully delivered notices as received. Add nh.licenses@doit.nh.gov to trusted senders and check spam.
Confirm the background-check route
Initial nursing applications require state and FBI criminal-history review using the applicable in-state or out-of-state fingerprint process.
Open Background InstructionsConfirm direct-source verification
Schools, licensing boards, Nursys and certifying bodies may need to send documents directly to OPLC.
Search public verification for issuance
A submitted application does not authorize nursing practice until a valid license or temporary license is issued.
| Missing or delayed item | What to confirm | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint result | Correct option, complete release form and acceptable fingerprint card or electronic submission. | Follow the current OPLC background-check instructions before repeating fingerprints. |
| Nursys verification | Verification remains accessible and has not expired from the Nursys database. | Check the order date and resend when necessary. |
| Non-Nursys state verification | The original state sent paper or official verification directly to New Hampshire. | Contact the original licensing board for the sending date. |
| Education document | The nursing program or transcript service sent the required official record. | Request direct delivery and retain the confirmation. |
| APRN certification | The Board-recognized certifier supplied current role and specialty verification. | Contact the certifying body and verify the destination. |
| No email notice | The designated email is correct and OPLC messages are not in spam. | Update contact information and email customer support with application details. |
“I submitted my New Hampshire _____ application on _____. My online account shows _____. Fingerprints were completed through _____ on _____. Verification or education documents were sent by _____ on _____. Please confirm the exact item still required.”
Do not begin nursing practice based only on a payment receipt, fingerprint completion or pending application. Confirm a valid permanent or temporary credential in License Verification.
New Hampshire RN and LPN endorsement requirements
An applicant already licensed through another U.S. jurisdiction normally applies by endorsement. New Hampshire reviews education, examination, recent practice, CE, license verification and criminal history.
Confirm endorsement is the correct application
Use endorsement when an RN or LPN license was originally obtained through another jurisdiction.
Create or open the Online Licensing account
Select Nursing or Nursing Assistant and submit the correct endorsement application.
Start Online ApplicationOrder original-license verification
Use Nursys when the original state participates. A non-participating state must send official verification directly to OPLC.
Order Nursys VerificationDocument recent active practice
Prepare evidence of at least 400 hours of active nursing practice during the four years before application unless NCLEX was completed within two years.
Document continuing education
Prepare 30 contact hours completed during the two years before application unless the recent-NCLEX exemption applies.
Complete the New Hampshire background check
Submit the release authorization, fingerprint materials and required criminal-history payment through the current process.
Temporary-license duration
A nursing temporary license expires when the permanent application is approved or denied, or after 180 days, whichever comes first.
Supervision requirement
A temporary RN or LPN license holder practises under the supervision of an RN currently licensed in New Hampshire.
Nursys verification remains available to the New Hampshire Board for a limited period. Order it close enough to the application that it does not expire before staff review.
Residence affects compact status. An applicant who does not legally reside in New Hampshire generally receives a single-state New Hampshire license rather than a New Hampshire multistate home-state license.
New Hampshire single-state and multistate nursing licenses
New Hampshire participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. The compact applies to eligible RN and LPN authority, not automatic APRN licensure.
| Situation | What it means | Correct action |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire is primary residence | An eligible RN or LPN can receive a New Hampshire multistate license. | Provide acceptable residency evidence and meet uniform compact requirements. |
| New Hampshire single-state license | The credential authorizes practice only under New Hampshire authority. | Request multistate status when residence and eligibility requirements are met. |
| Move to New Hampshire from another compact state | New Hampshire becomes the new primary state of residence. | Apply for the new home-state license and provide residency evidence promptly. |
| Live outside New Hampshire | New Hampshire cannot generally be the compact home state. | Expect a single-state New Hampshire license if a separate NH license is required. |
| APRN practice | RN multistate privilege does not independently authorize advanced practice. | Obtain and verify New Hampshire APRN licensure separately. |
Telehealth nursing occurs where the patient is located. Verify compact privilege or separate licensure for the patient’s state before providing nursing services across state lines.
New Hampshire APRN renewal and pharmacology requirements
APRN renewal requires the underlying RN renewal, current national certification and additional advanced-practice continuing education.
Maintain RN renewal
APRN renewal does not replace the underlying RN renewal and its continuing-competence requirements.
Current national certification
Maintain current certification through a Board-recognized national certifying body in the licensed role and specialty.
Additional APRN education
Complete 30 additional APRN contact hours during the two years before renewal.
| APRN requirement | Minimum | Practical explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Underlying RN CE | 30 contact hours | Required to renew or reinstate the RN license. |
| Additional APRN CE | 30 contact hours | Completed in addition to the RN continuing education. |
| Specialty-focused education | At least 20 hours | Relevant to the specialty for which renewal or reinstatement is requested. |
| Pharmacology | At least 5 hours | Pharmacology education appropriate to the APRN specialty. |
| NH DEA holder | 3 of the 5 pharmacology hours | Opioid prescribing, pain management or substance-use-disorder education. |
| National certification | Current | Certification must remain valid in the licensed role and specialty. |
APRN renewal is not complete merely because the RN license renews. Confirm the APRN record, certification and applicable prescribing requirements separately.
APRN applicants are also required to complete the applicable workforce survey or opt-out step during renewal.
New Hampshire LNA and MNA renewal basics
The New Hampshire Board regulates Licensed Nursing Assistants and Medication Nursing Assistants separately from RN, LPN and APRN licenses.
LNA two-year fee
The current base fee for LNA initial licensure, renewal or reinstatement is $38.
MNA certification fee
The current base fee for MNA initial certification, renewal or reinstatement is $11.
LNA continuing education
LNAs complete 12 hours per year, normally 24 hours during a two-year renewal period.
MNA medication hours
An LNA holding medication certification must include medication-administration education within the required total.
Supervised practice
LNA practice is performed under the supervision of an RN, APRN or LPN.
Registry and license check
Employers should use the official OPLC verification result rather than relying only on a training certificate.
LNA employment, federal registry and medication-certification requirements can differ from RN/LPN renewal. Use the LNA-specific application and checklist shown by the Board.
Check a New Hampshire nursing program before enrolling
Board program approval, institutional accreditation, nursing accreditation and NCLEX outcomes answer different questions. Check each one separately.
Identify the intended credential
Determine whether the program leads to LPN, RN, APRN, LNA or medication-assistant eligibility.
Check the exact program and campus
Do not rely only on the college name. Confirm the location and program type shown in the enrollment agreement.
Review Board actions and approval status
Check whether a program is fully approved, conditionally approved, on probation or subject to an improvement plan.
Compare multi-year NCLEX outcomes
Review the number of candidates and pass percentages over several years rather than one isolated result.
Open Published NCLEX ReportVerify accreditation separately
Board approval does not automatically mean the program holds national nursing accreditation.
An out-of-state nursing program arranging clinical experiences in New Hampshire may have separate Board and institutional-authorization requirements. Students should verify approval before beginning clinical placement.
Recover the OPLC account and fix a missing renewal
Forgot User ID or password
Use Retrieve User ID in the person-account menu. Enter the license number and registration code exactly.
License not linked
Retrieve the existing User ID and relink the license instead of opening another account.
Missing registration code
Email customer support with your name, profession and license number or call 603-271-2152.
Legal-name change
Email customer support with the current and requested legal name, license details and an accepted legal document.
Address or contact update
Log into the portal and select Demographics Update. Keep the designated email current because licenses and notices are emailed.
Need a receipt
Log into the Licensing Home Page and choose Payment History from the left menu.
For a legal-name change, OPLC accepts documents such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or probate-court order. A driver’s license or Social Security card is not accepted as the name-change document.
Type login credentials manually. OPLC advises users not to rely on browser autofill because it can interfere with account access.
New Hampshire Board of Nursing phone, email and address
Prepare the profession, license or application number, birthday expiration date, document-sending date and exact portal message before contacting OPLC.
Licensing, renewal, registration-code and online-account assistance.
Include name, profession, license number and a concise description of the problem.
Nursing application and Board-specific questions when directed by official instructions.
Monday through Friday, Eastern Time, excluding state holidays.
New Hampshire relay access shown on Board forms.
Use the Board page for applications, laws, rules, meetings and Board actions.
“I am contacting New Hampshire OPLC about my _____ nursing license/application. My license or application information is _____. The expiration date is _____. I submitted _____ on _____, and the supporting document was sent by _____ on _____. Please identify the exact next action.”
Office and mailing address
New Hampshire OPLC
Board of Nursing
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301
Before travelling
Call first. An office visit does not guarantee immediate license issuance, renewal approval or same-day document matching.
New Hampshire Board of Nursing FAQ
How do I verify a New Hampshire nursing license?
Use the official OPLC License Verification system. Search by legal name or license number, match the correct RN, LPN, APRN, LNA or MNA credential and confirm status and expiration.
When is a New Hampshire nursing license renewal due?
Renewal is due by midnight on the licensee’s date of birth in the applicable renewal year.
How early can I renew a New Hampshire nursing license?
The online portal accepts renewal no more than 60 days before the expiration date. OPLC normally emails a registration code when the renewal window opens.
How much is New Hampshire RN or LPN renewal?
The current base licensing fee is $88. A separate $28 Professionals’ Health Program fee applies, producing a current expected licensing and health-program total of $116 before other charges.
How much is New Hampshire APRN renewal?
The current APRN base fee is $110. A $28 health-program fee applies, but it is not charged twice when the APRN also pays it with the RN transaction.
How many CE hours does a New Hampshire RN or LPN need?
An RN or LPN generally needs 30 contact hours completed within the two years before the application date.
How many work hours are required for RN or LPN renewal?
An RN or LPN generally needs at least 400 working hours during the four years before the application date.
Does recent NCLEX completion create an exemption?
Yes. The Board renewal checklist allows applicants who completed NCLEX within two years of the application date to use that recent examination instead of the standard active-practice and CE documentation.
What happens if my New Hampshire nursing license expires?
An expired license cannot be renewed through the normal online-renewal transaction. Use the reinstatement process and do not practise until the license is active again.
How do I recover my OPLC registration code?
Email customersupport@oplc.nh.gov with your name, profession and license number or call 603-271-2152.
What browser should I use for New Hampshire online renewal?
OPLC recommends Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox on a PC or laptop. It advises against Safari and browser autofill.
Is New Hampshire part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Eligible New Hampshire-resident RNs and LPNs may receive a multistate license. APRN authority remains separately licensed.
How long is a New Hampshire temporary nursing license valid?
A temporary nursing license expires when the permanent application is approved or denied, or after 180 days, whichever occurs first.
What are New Hampshire APRN CE requirements?
An APRN completes the RN renewal requirements plus 30 additional APRN contact hours, including at least 20 specialty hours and five pharmacology hours. NH DEA holders use three pharmacology hours for opioid prescribing, pain management or substance-use-disorder education.
What is the New Hampshire Board of Nursing phone number?
The OPLC customer-support number is 603-271-2152. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding holidays.
New Hampshire official sources used for this guide
Fees, portal instructions, background-check steps and renewal requirements can change. Recheck the relevant official source before submitting an application, renewal or payment.
For employers and public users
Verify the exact credential, status and expiration through OPLC. Check Board Actions and Nursys when discipline or compact authority matters.
For applicants and licensees
Use the Online Licensing Portal for applications, renewal, temporary licenses and receipts. This independent guide cannot access or change private licensing records.