U.S. nursing state boards: official links for international nurses.
NCLEX is one exam, but the licence is issued by each state board individually. Rules differ state by state — SSN requirements, credential evaluation, English tests. Here is every state board with its official website and notes for internationally-educated nurses.
Requirements, fees, and forms change frequently. Always confirm directly with the official nursing board before applying or paying fees.
We do not collect fees. Use official sites.
Pathway does not handle regulator payments. Do not pay agents who ask you to transfer fees into personal bank accounts. Submit applications, credential evaluations, and payments only on the official regulator website. If an agent cannot demonstrate access to your actual regulator portal, walk away.
- Regulator payments only go to the regulator — never a "representative".
- Real regulators publish fees and forms openly on their own sites.
- No official body "guarantees" visas, jobs, or licences.
Find your state board.
Search by name or abbreviation. Filter to compact-privilege states for easier multi-state practice.
Alabama
Alabama Board of Nursing
Foreign-educated applicants typically submit credentialing through the board's approved evaluator list.
Alaska
Alaska Board of Nursing
Licensure is handled under the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Arizona
Arizona State Board of Nursing
Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) state. Compact status is typically only available to US primary-residence applicants.
Arkansas
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
California
California Board of Registered Nursing
California historically required a detailed concurrency-of-theory-and-clinical review. Processing can be slower than other large states. California is NOT a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Colorado
Colorado Board of Nursing
Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Connecticut
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing
Licensure is administered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Connecticut is not currently in the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Delaware
Delaware Board of Nursing
Delaware is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
District of Columbia
DC Board of Nursing
DC is not a Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction. Internationally-educated applicants submit through the DC Health Regulation and Licensing Administration.
Florida
Florida Board of Nursing
Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Popular destination for internationally-educated nurses — plan processing times carefully.
Georgia
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Licensure is issued by the Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division.
Hawaii
Hawaii Board of Nursing
Hawaii is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Idaho
Idaho Board of Nursing
Idaho is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Illinois
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Nursing
Illinois is a popular first-state for internationally-educated RNs. The state does not currently require an SSN for initial NCLEX eligibility, which has historically made it accessible to African candidates — but confirm the current policy before applying. Illinois joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2024.
Indiana
Indiana State Board of Nursing
Indiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Iowa
Iowa Board of Nursing
Iowa is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Kansas
Kansas State Board of Nursing
Kansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Kentucky
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Louisiana
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Maine
Maine State Board of Nursing
Maine is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Maryland
Maryland Board of Nursing
Maryland is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
Massachusetts is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Michigan
Michigan Board of Nursing
Licensure is administered by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Minnesota
Minnesota Board of Nursing
Minnesota is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Mississippi
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Missouri
Missouri State Board of Nursing
Missouri is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Montana
Montana Board of Nursing
Montana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Nebraska
Nebraska Board of Nursing
Nebraska is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Licensure is administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Nevada
Nevada State Board of Nursing
Nevada is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state as of 2026.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Board of Nursing
New Hampshire is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
New Jersey
New Jersey Board of Nursing
New Jersey joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2019. Licensure is administered under the Division of Consumer Affairs.
New Mexico
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
New York
New York State Board for Nursing
New York is a popular destination for internationally-educated nurses. The Office of the Professions (part of the NY State Education Department) administers licensure. New York is not currently in the Nurse Licensure Compact.
North Carolina
North Carolina Board of Nursing
North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
North Dakota
North Dakota Board of Nursing
North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Ohio
Ohio Board of Nursing
Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
Oklahoma is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Oregon
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Oregon is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
Pennsylvania joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2021. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are popular first-jobs for international nurses.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration
Rhode Island is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
South Carolina
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
South Dakota
South Dakota Board of Nursing
South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Tennessee
Tennessee Board of Nursing
Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Licensure is administered by the Tennessee Department of Health.
Texas
Texas Board of Nursing
Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact state and one of the largest healthcare markets in the US. High demand for nurses in Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
Utah
Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Nursing
Utah is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Vermont
Vermont State Board of Nursing
Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Virginia
Virginia Board of Nursing
Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Washington
Washington State Department of Health — Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
Washington is not currently a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
West Virginia
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses
West Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Board of Nursing
Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Wyoming
Wyoming State Board of Nursing
Wyoming is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
How African nurses typically pick a first US state.
SSN flexibility
Some state boards historically allow NCLEX registration without a US SSN at first. Confirm the current policy — rules have tightened in recent years.
Credential evaluation acceptance
Most states use CGFNS; some accept alternatives. If you already have a CGFNS report, pick a state that accepts it without re-evaluation.
Processing speed
California historically processes more slowly than Texas or Pennsylvania. If you have a job offer with a timeline, factor in board processing.
Nurse Licensure Compact
Compact states let you practise across 40+ member states with one licence — but compact privileges are normally reserved for US primary-residence applicants.
Job market + employer pipelines
Some hospital systems recruit internationally and match you to a "first state" they already know. Texas, Florida, and New York are common employer picks.
Cost of living vs. nursing wages
Big-city wages are higher, but so are rent and taxes. A mid-size Midwest city often leaves more take-home.
Pathway provides guidance only. We are not an immigration lawyer, a nursing regulator, or a visa agent. Outcomes depend on regulators and authorities, not on us.
Check your board before you book NCLEX.
Every week we see candidates pay for NCLEX prep before the state board even confirms eligibility. Your free pathway flags the board-first steps.