Verify an NMI Nurse—or Renew Before the Birthday Deadline
A Northern Mariana Islands nursing license does not follow one statewide renewal date. RN, LPN and APRN licenses generally expire on the individual nurse’s birthday every two years, so the live license record—not the calendar year alone—controls when renewal becomes due.
The final 30 days are already treated as late, and the transaction changes to reinstatement on the expiration date. This guide separates verification, portal renewal, CE uploads, payment, inactive status, endorsement, APRN requirements and license-card requests so the reader can complete the correct task.
Verify the exact birthday expiration, begin during the 60-day renewal period, upload the signed 2×2 photograph, CE form and certificates, pay through PayCNMI and confirm active status. RN/LPN renewal requires 30 CE hours, including one SUD hour.
Verify a nurse
Check license type, status, expiration and discipline in the official NMIBON portal.
Open License LookupRenew RN, LPN or APRN
Connect the existing record to the Nurse Portal and submit the category-specific renewal.
Open Nurse PortalCheck missing items
Open Submitted License Applications and select View Status before contacting staff.
View Application StatusApply by endorsement
Prepare education records, current U.S. license, identity documents and employer Good Standing.
Check Endorsement ListPay an NMIBON fee
Select the exact transaction and enter the professional’s name exactly as shown in the portal.
Open PayCNMINMI nursing-license details that control the transaction
Expiration changes the application immediately. An RN, LPN or APRN application submitted on or after the expiration date is a reinstatement—not an ordinary renewal.
Renewal is person-specific
NMI licenses renew on the holder’s birthday rather than one statewide date. Initial licenses can have a shorter first cycle.
The final month is already late
The current checklist says all renewals are due 30 days before expiration. Filing inside the final month adds $20.
Certificates alone are not enough
Upload the completed Doc. 19 CE form together with the supporting completion certificates.
Temporary authority is limited
Qualified initial or endorsement applicants can receive one temporary license valid for 90 days.
Applications are online-only
Initial, endorsement, renewal, reinstatement and inactive-status requests are submitted through the Nurse Portal.
NMI is not a compact jurisdiction
A multistate license from another jurisdiction does not independently authorize civilian practice in the NMI.
How to verify an NMI RN, LPN, APRN or nursing assistant
Use the official NMIBON License Verification Portal for a current public check. Use Nursys when another board requires nurse-license verification or when monitoring an RN or LPN record.
Open the official NMIBON lookup
Begin with the regulator’s live portal rather than a copied card, staffing profile or private directory.
Open NMI License VerificationSearch by license number when available
Otherwise use the current legal first and last name and try a former surname when the record cannot be located.
Match the correct credential
Confirm RN, LPN, VN, APRN, CNA, certified technician, graduate permit or another Board-issued credential.
Read status and birthday expiration
A matching record does not prove present authority. Confirm that the status is active and the displayed expiration has not passed.
Use Nursys for interstate verification
NMI licensees moving to another board request verification through Nursys. APRNs select RN, and NMIBON supplies both RN and APRN verification.
Order Nursys VerificationRecord the verification date
Employers should retain the source, date, credential, status, expiration and any restriction under their credentialing policy.
| Result | What it means | Correct action |
|---|---|---|
| Active | The credential currently authorizes practice under the conditions displayed. | Check expiration, credential type and any APRN certification requirements. |
| Expired or lapsed | The birthday deadline passed without effective renewal. | Stop practice and submit the correct reinstatement application. |
| Inactive | The active license was voluntarily inactivated before expiration. | Complete renewal and practice requirements before returning to work. |
| Temporary | Limited authority was issued while permanent requirements remained pending. | Check the exact 90-day expiration and unresolved requirements. |
| Interim permit | Limited graduate authority can apply to qualifying NMC or University of Guam graduates. | Check NCLEX status because a failed result immediately ends the permit. |
NMIBON discontinued automatic issuance of physical license cards. Current authority should be confirmed online even when a nurse presents an official-looking card.
NMI RN and LPN renewal steps for 2026
A renewed license is normally valid for two years from the nurse’s birthday. The first license can expire after one full year but before two years, depending on the issue date and the next qualifying birthday.
Standard filing period
The published RN/LPN renewal fee is $120 when filed during the early 60-day period.
Late renewal period
The final 30 days before expiration are treated as late and cost $140.
Expiration date
The individual birthday expiration shown in the verification record controls.
Reinstatement begins
On or after expiration, the transaction changes from renewal to reinstatement.
Verify the exact expiration
Check the public record instead of calculating from an old card or assuming every license has a full first two-year cycle.
Connect the existing record to the Nurse Portal
Search by name or license number, select the correct nurse and verify identity using the requested birth year.
Open Portal Renewal GuideUpload the signed passport photograph
Use a recent 2×2 U.S. passport-style photo with a white background and a visible signature across the front bottom area.
Upload 30 CE hours
Include one Substance Use Disorder hour, the completed Doc. 19 CE form and every supporting certificate.
Submit the online application and payment
Use the professional’s exact portal name in PayCNMI and select renewal—not reinstatement—when the license has not expired.
Confirm the new active record
Save the application and payment confirmations, then verify the new expiration in the official license portal.
The Board’s checklist says renewals are due one month before expiration. Waiting until the birthday creates reinstatement fees, doubled CE requirements and possible interruption of employment.
Why the renewal option may not appear
RN, LPN and APRN CE requirements
CE must be completed during the relevant license period, documented on the Board’s form and supported by completion certificates.
| Transaction | Total CE | Required content | Supporting evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN or LPN renewal | 30 contact hours. | At least one contact hour concerning Substance Use Disorder. | Doc. 19 plus every completion certificate. |
| RN or LPN reinstatement | 60 contact hours. | At least one SUD contact hour. | Doc. 19 plus every completion certificate. |
| APRN renewal | 30 contact hours. | One SUD hour and five pharmacology hours. | Doc. 19, certificates and current APRN recertification. |
| APRN reinstatement | 60 contact hours. | One SUD hour and five pharmacology hours. | Doc. 19, certificates and current APRN recertification. |
| College or university course | One semester credit equals 15 contact hours; one quarter credit equals 10. | Course should be nursing-related or part of education toward a higher nursing degree. | Official academic evidence and course details. |
Accepted SUD topics include
The Board accepts CE from nursing-board jurisdictions and accredited sources. Its published online-provider examples include CEUFast, ANA, NursingCE, NurseCE4Less, NetCE and Relias.
Keep CE records for at least three years. The completed Board form is a sworn declaration, so course dates and claimed hours must match the underlying certificates.
NMI nursing renewal, reinstatement and application fees
Application fees are non-refundable. The online PayCNMI system adds a 5% convenience fee, and monthly reinstatement charges continue to increase while a license remains lapsed.
| Transaction | Published fee | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| RN, LPN or VN renewal | $120 | Standard amount during the early 60-day renewal period. |
| RN, LPN or VN renewal in final 30 days | $140 | Includes the $20 late amount before expiration. |
| RN or LPN reinstatement | $170 plus $25 per month lapsed | Also requires 60 CE hours. |
| APRN renewal | $160 | Standard amount during the early 60-day period. |
| APRN renewal in final 30 days | $180 | Includes the $20 late amount before expiration. |
| APRN reinstatement | $220 plus $25 per month lapsed | Also requires 60 CE hours and current recertification. |
| RN or LPN endorsement | $170 | Temporary license is an additional $70. |
| APRN initial or endorsement application | $300 | Endorsement temporary authority is an additional $90. |
| RN/LPN NCLEX initial or retake application | $170 | Pearson VUE examination payment is separate. |
| NCLEX score transfer | $320 | Use only for the specific Board score-transfer transaction. |
| Graduate Nurse permit | $80 | Eligibility is limited to qualifying recent graduates. |
| Physical license ID card | $50 | Cards are not automatically issued. |
| Certificate | $35 | Requested separately from online licensure. |
| Certificate of Good Standing | $40 | Use when an official standing document is required. |
| Verification of license | $40 | Nursys verification may be the required route for another board. |
| Name change | $35 | Upload the required legal name-change evidence. |
The payment portal states that a 5% online convenience charge applies. Enter the professional’s name exactly as it appears in the Nurse Portal so staff can match the payment.
Check a pending NMI nursing application without resubmitting it
NMIBON says applications are generally processed in one to two weeks. A qualified temporary license can sometimes be issued within one week, while permanent issuance depends on all required documents and payments.
Log in to the original Nurse Portal account
Use the account through which the examination, endorsement, renewal, APRN or reinstatement application was submitted.
Open Submitted License Applications
Select View Status beside the correct application instead of starting another transaction.
Read each missing item separately
Transcripts, employer letters, national certification, identity evidence and payment can be received on different dates.
Confirm who must send the document
An official transcript may need to come from the school or approved third-party service rather than from the applicant.
Allow the initial two-week period
The Board recommends waiting at least two weeks after submission before requesting an application-status update.
| Missing item | What to confirm | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Official transcript | Degree, graduation date, pharmacology and required clinical areas appear. | Ask the school or authorized vendor for the exact transmission date. |
| Payment not matched | Professional name, payment purpose, receipt number and portal spelling match. | Use the contact form with Payment as the inquiry type. |
| Employer Good Standing | The letter is from employment during the previous five years. | Ask the employer to issue a current signed letter. |
| APRN certification | Certification is current and matches the applied specialty. | Upload or arrange the certification evidence required by the APRN checklist. |
| NCLEX result | Official results have had approximately two weeks to reach the Board. | Monitor the Nurse Portal rather than relying on unofficial quick results. |
“I am contacting NMIBON regarding my _____ application. It was submitted on _____. The item named _____ was sent by _____ on _____ through _____. My Nurse Portal currently shows _____. Please confirm whether it has been matched and identify the exact remaining requirement.”
NMI RN and LPN licensure by endorsement
Endorsement applicants need a current unencumbered U.S. license, education documents, identity evidence, a recent passport photograph and an employer Good Standing letter.
The current endorsement checklist allows a transcript copy only when it bears the original signature of the school’s authenticating authority. A plain applicant-generated copy is not an official academic record.
A qualifying veteran, military spouse, veteran’s spouse or surviving spouse can receive a 50% reduction of the endorsement fee after providing the Board-approved DD214 or current military identification evidence.
Reinstatement, monthly lapse fees and inactive status
Expiration and voluntary inactive status are not the same. Inactivation must be requested while the license is still active; an expired license cannot be placed inactive.
| Situation | Requirements | Important result |
|---|---|---|
| RN or LPN expired | $170 reinstatement, $25 for each month lapsed, 60 CE hours and one SUD hour. | Do not practice until the public record returns to active status. |
| APRN expired | $220 reinstatement, $25 for each month lapsed, 60 CE hours, one SUD hour, five pharmacology hours and current recertification. | RN and APRN authority should both be verified before advanced practice. |
| Active license placed inactive | Submit the Nurse Portal inactivation request on or before expiration. | No fee and no stated time limit, but no practice authority. |
| Inactive license returning to practice | Complete renewal, CE and any practice requirements. | Wait for active status before working. |
| License expired more than two years | Apply under the examination or endorsement requirements in effect at that time. | Ordinary reinstatement may no longer be available. |
Verify the live status
Confirm expired, lapsed or inactive before selecting a portal transaction.
Calculate months lapsed carefully
The published monthly charge is assessed in addition to the base reinstatement fee.
Complete the higher CE requirement
RN/LPN and APRN reinstatement require 60 hours rather than the 30 hours used for ordinary renewal.
Submit through the Nurse Portal
Upload the signed photograph, CE form, certificates and any category-specific evidence.
Disclose post-expiration practice accurately
Do not omit employment or nursing activity performed after the displayed expiration.
Wait for active status
An application or payment receipt does not independently restore authority.
Do not continue working while reinstatement is pending. Confirm active status through the official verification portal before returning to licensed duties.
NMI APRN licensing, renewal and specialty evidence
APRN applicants and licensees should verify the underlying RN record, advanced-practice license, national certification and specialty documents separately.
Underlying RN authority
APRN practice depends on maintaining the related RN authority required by NMI law and Board rules.
National certification
Current certification must match CRNA, CNM, CNS, nurse practitioner or the applied specialty.
Renewal pharmacology
The 30-hour APRN renewal total includes five pharmacology hours and one SUD hour.
| APRN task | Published requirement | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Initial or endorsement application | Birth/name evidence, signed photo, current APRN license, national certification and school-supplied specialty records. | $300. |
| Endorsement temporary license | Available while permanent requirements remain pending when the applicant qualifies. | $90; valid 90 days. |
| Renewal | Signed photo, 30 CE hours, one SUD hour, five pharmacology hours and current APRN recertification. | $160 early or $180 during final 30 days. |
| Reinstatement | Signed photo, 60 CE hours, one SUD hour, five pharmacology hours and current APRN recertification. | $220 plus $25 per month lapsed. |
RN First Assistant and other subspecialties do not automatically satisfy the Clinical Nurse Specialist requirement. Confirm eligibility with the Board before paying the non-refundable APRN fee.
NMI NCLEX, foreign-graduate and temporary-permit routes
New RN and LPN applicants submit the online Board application, arrange official education documents and separately register and pay Pearson VUE.
U.S. nursing-program graduate
- $170 non-refundable Board application.
- Certified birth and applicable name-change documents.
- Recent signed 2×2 white-background photograph.
- Current checklist requires a U.S. Social Security number.
- Official transcript must identify pharmacology.
- Employment or refresher evidence can apply when the degree is over 10 years old.
Foreign nursing-program graduate
- $170 non-refundable Board application.
- Passport and certified civil documents.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing required by the current checklist.
- Official transcript and CRLE mailed directly by the school.
- Transcript must show pharmacology separately.
- Credential evaluation and English testing can apply.
Create the Nurse Portal account
New applicants select that they have not previously held an NMI license or certificate.
Submit the Board application and education documents
The official transcript must show the conferred degree and required course information.
Register with Pearson VUE
The email address used for the Board application must match the NCLEX registration email.
Wait for the ATT
The Board must receive the required transcript and approve eligibility before the Authorization to Test is issued.
Monitor official results
Official NCLEX results generally take about two weeks to reach and be processed by the Board.
An interim graduate permit may be available to qualifying Northern Marianas College and University of Guam graduates within 90 days of graduation. A failed NCLEX result immediately ends that permit.
NCLEX candidates can reapply after 45 days from the previous examination date. Follow the current Board and Pearson VUE instructions before paying another fee.
NMI is not a Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction
The Board’s FAQ states that the Northern Mariana Islands is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Civilian nurses generally need NMI authority before practicing for patients located in the Commonwealth.
| Situation | What the outside license provides | NMI action |
|---|---|---|
| Multistate RN or LPN license | Authority in participating compact jurisdictions. | It does not independently authorize civilian NMI practice; apply through NMIBON. |
| Remote care to an NMI patient | Authority only where recognized by applicable law. | Confirm NMI authority because practice is connected to the patient’s location. |
| Military nurse | The Board FAQ states military nurses do not need to apply for an NMI license. | Confirm the military assignment and employer credentialing requirements. |
| Veteran or qualifying military spouse applying by endorsement | Supports endorsement eligibility. | Provide the approved DD214 or military ID for the 50% endorsement-fee reduction. |
Do not advertise an NMI license as a compact license. Moving to Guam or a mainland jurisdiction can require separate licensure or verification through Nursys.
Check a nursing or nursing-assistant program before enrollment
The Board’s State Educational Programs page lists Northern Marianas College Nursing Department and Guam Marianas Training Center. Confirm which credential each program supports before paying.
Northern Marianas College Nursing Department
PO Box 501250
Saipan, MP 96950
Phone: 670-234-5498
Guam Marianas Training Center
414 West Soledad Avenue, Suite 601-A
Hagåtña, Guam 96910
Phone: 671-475-4682
A provisionally approved NMI nursing program can make its graduates eligible for NMI licensure, but another jurisdiction can apply different education requirements.
License cards and certificates are requested separately
Electronic issuance is now the standard. NMIBON no longer automatically sends a physical card or certificate after initial licensure or renewal.
License ID card
Submit the separate online request and pay the published $50 non-refundable fee.
Certificate
An initial certificate can be requested separately for the published $35 fee.
Online verification still controls
A physical card does not replace a fresh public status and expiration check.
Update the portal mailing address, email and legal name promptly. Failure to receive Board information does not remove the licensee’s responsibility to comply with renewal rules.
NMI Board of Nursing phone, email and address
Before contacting staff, open the license record or application status and prepare the legal name, credential, license number, application type, submission date and exact portal wording.
Current number published by NMIBON and NCSBN.
General questions, licensing and portal follow-up.
Use only when an official instruction permits fax submission.
Monday–Friday, Chamorro Standard Time; holidays closed.
San Jose, Beach Road, Saipan, MP 96950.
Saipan, MP 96950, USA.
Open the office location
Use the official linked location for the CDA Building on Beach Road and confirm access before traveling.
Open Saipan MapCheck announcements before visiting
Typhoons, administrative leave and recovery operations caused multiple 2026 closures and temporary limited hours. Call or check announcements first.
Check Office Announcements“I am contacting NMIBON regarding my _____ license or application. My legal name is _____ and license or application type is _____. I submitted _____ on _____. The portal currently shows _____. Please identify the exact remaining action and confirm whether the credential currently authorizes practice.”
The former 670-234-2264 number has been discontinued. Use 670-233-2263 or the official online contact form.
Northern Mariana Islands Board of Nursing FAQ
How do I verify a Northern Mariana Islands nursing license?
Use the official NMIBON License Verification Portal. Search by license number or legal name and confirm the credential type, status and expiration date.
How often do NMI RN and LPN licenses renew?
Renewed licenses are generally valid for two years and expire on the licensee’s birthday. The initial license period can be shorter depending on its issue date.
When should an NMI nurse renew?
Begin during the 60-day pre-expiration period. The Board treats the final 30 days as late renewal, and the application becomes reinstatement on the expiration date.
How much is NMI RN or LPN renewal?
The published fee is $120 during the early renewal period. It becomes $140 during the final 30 days before expiration.
How many CE hours are required for RN or LPN renewal?
RN and LPN renewal requires 30 contact hours, including one contact hour concerning Substance Use Disorder.
What happens after an NMI nursing license expires?
The transaction becomes reinstatement. RN and LPN reinstatement costs $170 plus $25 for each month lapsed and requires 60 CE hours.
How many CE hours does an APRN need?
APRN renewal requires 30 hours, including one SUD hour and five pharmacology hours. APRN reinstatement requires 60 hours with the same SUD and pharmacology components.
How do I check an NMI nursing application?
Log in to the NMI Nurse Portal, open Submitted License Applications and select View Status beside the correct application.
How long does NMIBON application processing take?
The Board FAQ says applications are generally processed in one to two weeks. Permanent issuance depends on receiving every required document and payment.
How much is RN or LPN endorsement?
The published RN or LPN endorsement fee is $170. A qualifying 90-day temporary license costs an additional $70.
Can an NMI nursing license be placed inactive?
Yes. An active license can be placed inactive through the Nurse Portal on or before expiration without a fee. An already expired license cannot be placed inactive.
Is the Northern Mariana Islands a Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction?
No. The NMI Board states that the Commonwealth is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
How do I send NMI verification to another board?
Use Nursys license verification. An APRN requesting NMI verification selects RN, and NMIBON supplies verification for both the RN and APRN licenses.
Does NMIBON automatically mail a license card?
No. Physical cards and certificates are requested separately. The published license-card fee is $50 and the certificate fee is $35.
How much is the PayCNMI convenience fee?
The official payment portal states that a 5% online convenience fee applies to payments.
What is the NMI Board of Nursing phone number?
The current main telephone number is 670-233-2263. The former 670-234-2264 number has been discontinued.
NMI nursing portals, forms and rules used for this guide
Fees, office access and document requirements can change. Recheck the current checklist for the exact transaction before paying or uploading records.
For employers and public users
Use a fresh NMIBON verification, match the exact credential and document status, birthday expiration, restrictions and the date of the check.
For applicants and licensees
Begin during the 60-day period, avoid the late final month, upload the required photograph and CE evidence, pay the correct transaction and verify active status after processing.