Nursing License Lookup • Texas RN/LVN guide • Sources reviewed: October 13, 2026
Texas Compact Nursing License 2026: NLC Status & Requirements
Understand Texas multistate eligibility, primary state of residence, application routes and interstate practice.
Is Texas a compact nursing state? Yes. Texas participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. An eligible Texas resident can hold a multistate RN or LVN license. A Texas single-state license provides Texas-only authority.
Do you need a Texas license or compact privilege?
Texas is your legal home
Apply through Texas BON. Already licensed elsewhere? Review endorsement. Already holding a Texas single-state license? Review the portal’s multistate conversion route.
Your home is another compact state
An active home-state multistate license can provide Texas practice privilege while that state remains your legal home. A temporary Texas assignment does not alone change residency.
Your legal home is outside the compact
A Texas license may be available through endorsement, but it will be single-state while your primary state of residence remains a noncompact state.
Check the actual license designation. An active RN or LVN license issued in a compact state is not automatically a multistate license.
Texas compact nursing license requirements
Texas must be your primary state of residence for a Texas-issued multistate license. The NLC also uses these 11 uniform licensure requirements:
- Meet the home state’s licensing standards.
- Graduate from an approved nursing program, or an internationally approved program verified by an independent credentials agency.
- Meet applicable English-proficiency testing requirements for international graduates.
- Pass NCLEX-RN, NCLEX-PN or an accepted predecessor examination.
- Qualify for, or hold, an active license without active discipline.
- Complete state and federal fingerprint-based background checks.
- Have no disqualifying felony conviction, guilty finding or agreed disposition under applicable criminal law.
- Have no nursing-related misdemeanor conviction that disqualifies you following the Board’s case-specific review.
- Not currently participate in an alternative program.
- Disclose current alternative-program participation.
- Have a valid U.S. Social Security number.
A nurse who does not qualify for multistate privileges may still qualify for a single-state license. Texas BON determines individual eligibility.
A Texas job or property does not establish compact residency
Primary state of residence, or PSOR, means your legal home. Property ownership and a work address alone do not establish it. Only one state can be your PSOR for compact purposes.
Prepare legal residency evidence
Common evidence includes a driver’s license, voter registration or federal tax documentation. Submit the declaration and evidence accepted by the current Texas application.
Review Texas residency declaration informationApplying before a move
You may begin the licensing process before relocating. Multistate issuance depends on establishing the required residency and meeting eligibility standards.
Source: Official NLC residency FAQs .
How to obtain Texas multistate nursing authority
Follow the route that matches your current credential. Use the application checklist for transaction-specific records and instructions.
Verify your existing license
Check license level, status, expiration and single-state versus multistate designation.
Open Nursys QuickConfirmConfirm your legal home state
Determine whether Texas is already your PSOR or will become your PSOR through a permanent move.
Check Texas PSOR instructionsSelect examination, endorsement or conversion
New graduates use the appropriate examination route. Nurses licensed elsewhere review endorsement. Texas single-state license holders review multistate conversion.
Access the Board’s Nurse Portal informationSubmit the application and required evidence
Complete the selected application, residency declaration and disclosures. Arrange the education and license verification records requested for your route.
Read Texas endorsement instructionsComplete required fingerprint processing
Follow BON’s instructions for your file. Do not assume an employer’s background check satisfies the Board.
Review BON licensing and fingerprint FAQsComplete the applicable jurisprudence requirement
Texas initial licensure and endorsement applicants must satisfy the Nursing Jurisprudence Examination requirement. Use BON’s directions for access.
Read BON’s jurisprudence guidanceResolve outstanding application items
Monitor the Nurse Portal and respond to requests for documents or clarification. Keep receipts and submission dates.
Verify issued authority before relying on it
Confirm the issued license and multistate designation. A submitted application or payment receipt does not establish compact authority.
Open official Texas License LookupTexas compact license fees depend on your route
| Transaction | Published fee or cost | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Texas endorsement | $150 | The BON fee schedule identifies the NJE fee as included. |
| Multistate conversion | Check the selected portal transaction | Do not use the endorsement amount as a conversion quote. |
| Fingerprint background check | Varies | The BON schedule lists background-check costs separately. |
| Verification and records | Provider-dependent | Include any charges shown by the sending board or record provider. |
Check the official Texas BON fee schedule and itemized checkout before paying.
Moving into or out of Texas: understand the 60-day rule
| Situation | Licensing action | Practice consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Another compact state → Texas permanent move | A multistate licensee applies in the new PSOR within 60 days. | The former multistate license may support practice until the new one issues, provided it remains valid. |
| Noncompact state → Texas permanent move | Apply through endorsement; establish residency and eligibility. | A noncompact single-state license alone provides no Texas privilege. |
| Texas → noncompact state permanent move | Notify Texas BON and obtain the new state’s required authority. | The Texas multistate license changes to Texas-only single-state status. |
| Temporary Texas assignment; PSOR unchanged | Verify the active home-state multistate license. | Assignment length alone does not trigger the relocation rule. |
The 60-day rule concerns application, not issuance. It does not promise a license within 60 days or extend an expired former-home-state license.
Where can a Texas multistate nurse practice?
Check the destination’s implementation status
Use the live NLC map before relying on a privilege. Enacted legislation and operational compact privileges may have different dates.
Open the official NLC mapIdentify the patient’s location
Telehealth nursing requires authority where the patient is located. Follow the practice laws of that jurisdiction, including applicable scope and standards.
Read official travel and telehealth guidanceRN/LVN compact authority does not grant APRN authority. Confirm separate advanced-practice and prescribing requirements in each practice jurisdiction.
Keep the home-state license current. Review Texas BON’s renewal instructions for ongoing requirements.
Compact authority verification checklist
This checklist does not submit information to a licensing board. Selections are not saved by this page.
Texas Board of Nursing office and map
Texas Board of Nursing
- Physical address
-
George H. W. Bush State Office Building
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200
Austin, TX 78701 - Phone
- 512-305-7400
- General email
- webmaster@bon.texas.gov
- Application questions
- Use your Nurse Portal account for file-specific requests.
Confirm visitor arrangements with the Board before traveling.
Texas compact nursing license FAQ
Is Texas a compact nursing state in 2026?
Yes. Texas participates in the NLC for eligible RN and LVN multistate license holders.
Is every Texas nursing license multistate?
No. Check the license designation through official verification. A single-state license provides Texas-only authority.
Can a noncompact-state resident get a Texas compact license?
Not while the noncompact state remains the nurse’s legal home. Texas may issue a single-state license.
Does the 60-day rule require license issuance within 60 days?
No. It requires an applicable relocating multistate nurse to apply in the new compact home state within 60 days.
How much is Texas nursing endorsement?
Texas BON lists $150, including the NJE fee. Background checks and third-party records can add costs.
Does the nursing compact cover APRN practice?
No. RN/LVN multistate privileges do not replace separate APRN practice authorization.
Official resources for Texas compact nursing
For the related application route, read our Texas nursing license by endorsement guide .