Independent Texas nursing guide • Official-source review: . Nursing License Lookup is not the Texas Board of Nursing.
Texas nursing license by endorsement: choose your route before applying
Already licensed elsewhere? Start with your license level, education location and primary state of residence. These determine which Texas application you need and whether an existing compact privilege already covers Texas practice.
Apply through the Texas Nurse Portal, arrange required license verifications, complete the BON fingerprint process and pass the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. A submitted application alone does not authorize nursing practice.
Do you need Texas endorsement?
Temporary Texas assignment
A valid multistate RN or LPN/VN license from your compact home state can permit Texas practice while that home state remains your primary state of residence. Check restrictions and privilege status.
Making Texas your home state
Multistate license holders moving from another compact state must apply in their new primary state of residence within 60 days. Temporary travel assignments alone do not change legal residence.
No Texas compact privilege
A single-state license from another jurisdiction does not authorize Texas practice. Seek Texas licensure or a separately applicable Board-approved route before beginning work.
Verify the residence rules using the official NLC FAQs. A license from a compact state is not automatically a multistate license.
Previously held a Texas nursing license? BON directs former Texas licensees to renewal or reactivation instead of endorsement. Use your existing record through the official renewal guidance.
Match the credential and education route
Registered nurse
Use RN endorsement with qualifying RN education, an accepted national licensing examination and verification of the appropriate nursing license history.
Vocational or practical nurse
Texas uses the LVN title. An out-of-state LPN generally applies through the corresponding LVN route, using practical/vocational nursing education and examination evidence.
Advanced practice
RN endorsement does not grant APRN authority. Check the separate Texas APRN application requirements for your role and population focus.
Four-year practice or education review matters. BON evaluates recent practice and applicable graduation requirements. If you have a long practice gap, confirm your route before paying. A supervised refresher, extensive orientation or nursing course of study may be required.
For Texas clinical refresher experiences, obtain the required permit before clinical participation. Read the BON six-month permit guidance. This educational permit is different from the 120-day endorsement license.
International and Puerto Rico nursing education
Choose the international/Puerto Rico education application when applicable, even if you already hold a U.S. nursing license. BON lists an accepted credentials evaluation report among the required items. Have the evaluator send the report through the accepted delivery process.
Read the official international RN endorsement instructions before ordering evaluations. Confirm any English-proficiency evidence required for your education and circumstances with BON.
Texas endorsement fees in 2026
| Item | Amount | Payment guidance |
|---|---|---|
| RN endorsement | $150 | Includes the NJE fee. |
| LVN endorsement | $150 | Same published endorsement application total. |
| Fingerprint/background check | Separate vendor charge | Confirm the current amount in your IdentoGO enrollment. |
| License verifications | Provider-dependent | Nursys or issuing authorities may charge separately. |
| Education records or evaluation | Varies | Budget for requested school records and applicable credential evaluation. |
$150 is the application fee, not an all-inclusive total. BON fees are non-refundable. Check eligibility and the official fee schedule before submitting payment.
How to apply for Texas RN or LVN endorsement
-
Choose the correct application
Match RN or LVN and U.S. or international/Puerto Rico education. Review any practice-gap or previous-Texas-license issue first.
Review BON application routes -
Submit through your Nurse Portal account
Use your legal name, accessible email and accurate license history. Complete the required disclosures, pay and retain your receipt.
Access the Texas Nurse Portal -
Order required license verifications
Include exam-state verification and the license history BON requests. Select Texas as the destination. For a nonparticipating authority, use BON’s verification form and that authority’s process.
Start Nursys verification for endorsement Find BON verification request forms -
Follow the BON fingerprint instructions
Wait for your application-specific enrollment instructions. Confirm the correct recipient and identity details, complete the authorized collection route and keep the vendor receipt.
Read BON fingerprint FAQs -
Pass the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam
Use BON’s exam instructions and study resources. Complete any additional education, evaluation or disclosure records listed in your application checklist.
Open official NJE guidance -
Resolve missing items and verify authority
Monitor the portal checklist and Message Center. Before working, confirm your issued Texas license or another valid Texas practice authority, including its restrictions and expiration.
Open official Texas license verification
Who sends each document?
| Requirement | Source | Check before sending |
|---|---|---|
| Application and declarations | Applicant in Nurse Portal. | Correct credential, education route and legal name. |
| Licensure verification | Nursys or issuing authority. | Include required active and expired licenses; confirm exam-state evidence. |
| Education evidence | School or accepted evaluator as directed. | U.S. school records may be requested; international evaluation follows its own requirements. |
| Background-check results | Authorized fingerprint/background-check process. | A personal receipt proves collection, not BON clearance. |
| Disclosure supporting records | Applicant and relevant record holders, as instructed. | Respond to the specific request with clearly identified documents. |
| Residence evidence | Applicant when required for license classification. | A job offer or temporary assignment does not establish legal residence. |
Preparation checklist
These checkboxes are a personal reading aid. They do not send information to BON or update an application.
A free public license lookup does not replace an official endorsement verification. Keep the order receipt, sender, delivery date and name used on every request.
Use the fingerprint route tied to your BON application
Authorized electronic collection
Follow your enrollment instructions for IdentoGO collection. Check acceptable identification before the appointment and retain the receipt and tracking details.
Confirm the accepted collection method
Follow the out-of-state or international directions provided for your file. Where a card process is required, register it as instructed and confirm the current mailing destination.
Fingerprints collected for an employer or another agency do not automatically satisfy BON. If BON already has results from a previous Texas nursing process, ask whether they satisfy your current requirement before purchasing another appointment.
Review the BON background-check FAQs and IdentoGO’s Texas service information. Use the instructions for your application when scheduling.
The NJE is separate from the NCLEX
The Nursing Jurisprudence Exam tests Texas nursing law and Board rules. BON lists 50 questions, a two-hour limit and a 75% passing standard. Review the Nursing Practice Act, Board rules and official exam resources.
Before starting
Confirm your exam access instructions and allow uninterrupted time. BON permits reference materials during the exam; use its current instructions for completion and any repeat attempt.
After completing it
Check that the passing result appears against the correct application. If it remains missing, use the portal Message Center with the completion date.
Understand the 120-day temporary endorsement license
BON may issue a temporary license after reviewing eligibility. The same endorsement application is used for temporary and permanent licensure. If issued, the temporary license lasts 120 calendar days from its issuance date.
Issuance is not automatic. BON’s instructions state that temporary licenses are issued once per lifetime and cannot be extended or renewed. Verify the actual record and expiry date before accepting a start date.
Continue completing the permanent-license requirements while temporary authority is valid. A pending application does not extend an expired temporary license.
Military applicants
Qualifying military service members and spouses may have a separate recognition or expedited licensing route. Ask BON about the applicable route and required military documentation before choosing ordinary endorsement. The November 2025 adopted nursing rule amendments describe changes affecting military-related licensing.
How long does Texas endorsement take?
BON’s temporary processing notice lists 20 business days for incoming applications and supporting documents. This is not a guaranteed total time from submission to permanent licensure. Verification delivery, education review, background review and missing documents can add time.
Check the current BON processing notice before relying on older 15-business-day estimates.
| Unresolved item | Check first | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Verification missing | Destination, license type and sender receipt. | Confirm delivery with Nursys or the issuing authority. |
| Education review | Exact school/evaluator records requested. | Ask the source to send the requested evidence. |
| Background check pending | Enrollment identity and vendor tracking. | Ask BON whether results are received or further action is required. |
| NJE result missing | Completion date and account identity. | Request matching guidance through the Message Center. |
A useful status message
“My Texas [RN/LVN] endorsement application was submitted on [date]. The checklist shows [item] outstanding. [Source] sent it on [date] under [name]. Please confirm whether it has been received and matched, and identify any action still required.”
Watch the one-year deadline. BON’s endorsement instructions state that incomplete applications and fees expire after one year. A new application and fee are then required.
Texas Board of Nursing contact and office map
Texas Board of Nursing
- Address
-
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200
Austin, TX 78701 - Main phone
- 512-305-7400
- Fax
- 512-305-7401
- Published business hours
- 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Check current access and holiday arrangements.
- Application-specific questions
- Use the Message Center in your Texas Nurse Portal account.
The map shows the office building. Contact BON before visiting; an office visit does not guarantee same-day application processing.
Texas nursing license by endorsement FAQ
How do I apply for Texas nursing endorsement?
Apply in the Texas Nurse Portal, arrange required license verifications, follow BON fingerprint instructions, pass the NJE and complete any additional checklist items.
How much is Texas RN or LVN endorsement?
The published application fee is $150, including the NJE fee. Fingerprinting, verification and applicable education-record or evaluation charges are separate.
Can my compact license cover Texas practice?
A valid multistate license from your compact primary state of residence can cover Texas practice. A single-state license does not provide that privilege.
Does Texas issue a temporary endorsement license?
BON may issue a 120-calendar-day temporary license after eligibility review. It is not automatic and cannot be extended or renewed.
Do all U.S.-educated applicants need to order transcripts?
BON may request school records if education information cannot otherwise be verified. Follow your checklist; international graduates have separate evaluation requirements.
Can I apply by endorsement if I previously had a Texas license?
BON directs former Texas licensees to renewal or reactivation through the Nurse Portal instead of endorsement.
Official sources and current instructions
- Texas BON endorsement requirements and application routes
- RN endorsement instructions — U.S. education
- LVN endorsement instructions — U.S. education
- RN endorsement instructions — international and Puerto Rico education
- BON fee schedule
- Nursing Jurisprudence Exam instructions
- BON licensure and fingerprint FAQs
- Temporary processing timeframe notice
- NLC residence and multistate practice FAQs
Official-source review date: October 13, 2026. Some BON pages could not be directly fetched during review; relevant official search-indexed instructions were also consulted. Confirm current requirements in your portal before payment or practice. Report a factual concern through our contact page.