Complete Guide for North Carolina RN License

North Carolina RN License by Endorsement Process – Step by Step

1.) Complete and Submit the NC Licensure for RNs by Endorsement Online Application

1. Visit the following website and enter your initial information to apply:
   • https://portal.ncbon.com/ 
2. Complete and submit the application for NC RN/LPN License by Endorsement:
   • Request a temporary license during the process.
3. Pay $150 Application Fee.

2.) Submit Verification of RN License for original state and any other states where you held licensure

1. If the state of licensure is a Nursys participant, order the verification using the following site:
   • https://www.nursys.com/NLV/NLVTerms.aspx.
2. If the state does not participate in Nursys verifications, you must request the verification directly from the state.
3. Verification Cost – $30 – pay online via Nursys.

3.) North Carolina – Fingerprint-based State Bureau of Investigation and FBI Criminal History Check

1. WITHIN North Carolina:
   
   1. Complete Live Scan Application and follow instructions to have your fingerprints electronically transmitted to SBI/FBI:
      
      1. https://www.ncbon.com/licensure-listing-criminal-background-check-live-scan
   2. Complete 2 forms from your Nurse Portal (“Get Forms” button on your portal):
      
      1. Applicant Information Form.
      2. Electronic Fingerprint Submission Release of Information Form.
   3. Visit a local sheriff office or other live scan authorized location with the 2 completed forms to have your fingerprints completed and 2 forms.
   4. Pay $38.
   5. Upload your fully completed forms to your Nurse Portal.
2. OUTSIDE North Carolina:
   
   1. Hard Fingerprint Card Required to be mailed in.
   2. Complete 2 forms from your Nurse Portal (“Get Forms” button on your portal):
      
      1. Applicant Information Form.
      2. Electronic Fingerprint Submission Release of Information Form.
   3. Visit a local sheriff office or other live scan authorized location with the 2 completed forms to have your fingerprints completed and 2 forms.
   4. Pay $38.
   5. Upload your fully completed forms to your Nurse Portal.
   6. Mail fingerprint cards to the address below.

TEMPORARY RN LICENSE INFORMATION

You may be eligible for a non-renewable Temporary License which permits employment as a licensed nurse in North Carolina while the application is in process. A Temporary License can only be issued within the first six (6) months of submitting the endorsement application. It is valid for up to six (6) months, or until the permanent license has been issued (whichever comes first).

Prior to the issuance of a Temporary License, the Criminal Background Check hard-copy fingerprints, forms and fee must be received in the Board office for Out-of-State applicants. If you are a resident of North Carolina, the Live Scan Application must be submitted online and the Criminal Background Check results received, or hard-copy card of the fingerprints submitted prior to being reviewed for a temporary license. Temporary Licenses can typically be issued within 2-3 weeks of the application submission date.

Temporary licenses can only be issued once per lifetime and cannot be renewed or extended for any reason. An applicant must have a valid North Carolina or non-compact state primary address on file in their Nurse Gateway portal and must not hold an active multistate license in another compact state. An active single state license is required at the time of issuance of the temporary license.