The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) is responsible for licensing and regulating Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) throughout the state. This guide explains how to verify a North Carolina nursing license, renew an RN or LPN license, apply by examination or endorsement, understand licensing fees, meet continuing competence requirements, and navigate the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in North Carolina.

As the state’s nursing regulatory agency, the NCBON establishes licensing standards, administers nurse licensure, oversees license renewals, maintains the public license verification system, and enforces the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act. North Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing eligible nurses who declare North Carolina as their primary state of residence to hold a multistate nursing license and practice in other participating compact states.

Key Facts About the North Carolina Board of Nursing

– 169,321 active Registered Nurse (RN) licenses were reported in North Carolina as of July 2026, making it one of the 10 largest nursing workforces in the United States.https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/national-nursing-database/licensure-statistics/active-rn-licenses.page

– The application fee is $75 for licensure by examination and $150 for licensure by endorsement. Most first-time applicants also pay the $200 NCLEX-RN examination fee and approximately $38 for the required criminal background check.

– North Carolina nursing licenses must be renewed every two years, with expiration occurring on the last day of the licensee’s birth month. Renewal applications become available 90 days before the expiration date.

– Nurses must satisfy the state’s continuing competence requirement by completing one of several approved options, including 30 contact hours of continuing education or 15 contact hours combined with 640 hours of active nursing practice during the renewal period.

– North Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing eligible residents to obtain a multistate nursing license that authorizes practice in all participating compact states.

– Nursing licenses can be verified at no cost through the North Carolina Board of Nursing License Verification system or the Nursys database. Questions regarding licensure may be directed to the Board at (919) 782-3211.

North Carolina offers a streamlined nursing licensure process with competitive application and renewal fees. Applicants who submit a complete application generally experience a smooth licensing process. For endorsement applicants, however, delays most commonly occur during the fingerprint-based criminal background check, particularly when fingerprint cards are submitted by mail. Completing all required documentation promptly can help reduce processing times.

North Carolina Board of Nursing at a Glance (2026)

Category| Details

• Licensing Board| North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON)
• License Types| Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and Nurse Aide II
• RN/LPN Application Fee (Examination)| $75
• RN/LPN Application Fee (Endorsement)| $150
• License Renewal Fee| $100 (every 2 years)
• Renewal Cycle| Every 2 years, expires on
• the last day of the licensee’s birth month
• Continuing Competence Requirement| Completion of one of eight Board-approved continuing competence options, including 30 contact hours of continuing education
• Criminal Background Check| State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint-based background check (approximately $38)
• License Verification| NCBON License Verification and Nursys
• Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)| Yes – North Carolina has been a member since January 19, 2018

Sources: Official North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) fee schedule and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

North Carolina Board of Nursing Contact Information

The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) is headquartered in Raleigh and oversees the licensing and regulation of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) throughout the state. Most licensing services, including applications, renewals, license verification, and status updates, are completed online through the NCBON Nurse Gateway.

• Office Address: 4516 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2129, Raleigh, NC 27602
• Phone: (919) 782-3211
• Fax: (919) 781-9461
• Website: https://www.ncbon.com
• Nurse Gateway: https://gateway.ncbon.com (Applications, renewals, license verification, license
• downloads, and application status)

To apply for a nursing license, renew an existing license, or manage your licensing records, applicants must first create an account through the NCBON Nurse Gateway. The Board does not process nursing license applications or renewals by phone, making the online portal the primary resource for all licensing services. If you prefer assistance with the application process, our nursing licensing specialists can help manage your North Carolina nursing license application from start to finish.

What the North Carolina Board of Nursing Does

The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). The Board administers nursing licensure, approves nursing education programs, maintains the state’s license verification system, investigates complaints, and enforces the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act to help ensure safe and competent nursing care.

The Board operates under North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90, Article 9A, which establishes the legal requirements for nursing licensure and practice within the state. It also adopts and enforces administrative rules governing nursing education, licensure, continuing competence, and professional conduct to protect public health and safety.

It is important to distinguish the North Carolina Board of Nursing from the North Carolina Medical Board. The Board of Nursing regulates nurses and advanced practice nurses, while the Medical Board oversees the licensure and regulation of physicians and physician assistants. Applicants should ensure they are applying through the appropriate licensing authority based on their healthcare profession.

How to Verify a North Carolina Nursing License

The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) provides a free online License Verification system that allows employers, healthcare organizations, and the public to verify the status of a nursing license. You can also use Nursys, the national nurse licensure database, for license verification and endorsement requests.

There are two official methods to verify a North Carolina nursing license:

– NCBON License Verification: The Board’s online verification tool allows you to search by a nurse’s name, license number, or location. It provides real-time information on Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and Nurse Aide II credentials, including license status, expiration date, license type, and any publicly available disciplinary actions.

– Nursys License Verification: North Carolina participates in Nursys, the national nurse licensure database maintained by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Employers can use Nursys QuickConfirm to verify nursing licenses across participating states, while nurses applying for licensure by endorsement can request official license verification through the Nursys system.

The NCBON License Verification system is the official source for North Carolina nursing license information and is updated directly by the Board. Nursys is commonly used for interstate license verification and employer monitoring through its e-Notify service.

After completing a license verification, employers and credentialing organizations should save or print the verification results for their records. North Carolina no longer issues printed license cards or verification certificates, and nurses can access their license documents through the NCBON Nurse Gateway.

How to Renew a North Carolina Nursing License

Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licenses in North Carolina must be renewed every two years through the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) Nurse Gateway. Licenses expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month, and the online renewal application becomes available 90 days before the expiration date. The renewal fee is $100.

Before renewing, nurses must satisfy the state’s continuing competence requirement. Rather than requiring a single continuing education standard, North Carolina allows licensees to choose one of eight Board-approved options to demonstrate continued professional competency.

Common continuing competence options include:

– Completing 30 contact hours of approved continuing education (CE).

– Completing 15 contact hours of CE and 640 hours of active nursing practice during the previous two years.

– Maintaining or renewing a nationally recognized nursing certification.

– Successfully completing a Board-approved nursing refresher course.

– Completing at least two semester hours of post-licensure academic nursing coursework.

– Combining 15 contact hours of CE with an approved nursing project, published nursing article, or presentation meeting Board requirements.

Applicants certify that they have met the continuing competence requirement during the online renewal process. Supporting documentation is generally not submitted unless selected for a Board audit, so nurses should retain all continuing education and competency records throughout the renewal cycle.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) must also maintain their national certification or meet additional continuing competence requirements established by the Board. APRNs with prescriptive authority may be subject to additional education requirements related to controlled substances.

North Carolina does not provide a grace period for expired nursing licenses. If a license is not renewed before its expiration date, it becomes inactive and the nurse may not practice until the license has been reinstated. Reinstatement requires submission of the appropriate application, payment of the $180 reinstatement fee, and fulfillment of any additional Board requirements. Nurses whose licenses have been inactive for five years or longer may also be required to complete a Board-approved refresher course before returning to practice.

How to Get a North Carolina RN or LPN License

North Carolina offers two pathways to nursing licensure: licensure by examination for new graduates and licensure by endorsement for nurses already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. Both applications are completed through the NCBON Nurse Gateway and require a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background check. Eligible North Carolina residents may also qualify for a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

Licensure by Examination

If you are a recent nursing graduate, you’ll apply online through the North Carolina Board of Nursing Nurse Gateway. After submitting your application, your nursing program must send your official education records, and you must register for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE.

The application fee is $75, while the NCLEX registration fee is $200. All applicants must complete an SBI and FBI fingerprint-based background check before becoming eligible to test. Once approved, your Authorization to Test (ATT) remains valid for 180 days. If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it after the required waiting period.

Licensure by Endorsement

If you already hold an active nursing license in another state or U.S. territory, you can apply for licensure by endorsement. The endorsement application fee is $150.

To qualify, applicants generally must:

Hold an active, unrestricted nursing license.

Verify their original and current licenses through Nursys when applicable.

Complete the required fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Provide a valid Social Security number and employment history as requested by the Board.

Endorsement Checklist

To help avoid processing delays, complete the following steps as early as possible:

• Submit your endorsement application through the NCBON Nurse Gateway and pay the $150 fee.
• Request license verification through Nursys from your original and current licensing states.
• Complete fingerprinting using Live Scan
• in North Carolina or the approved fingerprint card process if applying from out of state.
• Provide all required identification and employment information.
• Request a temporary license if you have a confirmed employment start date and qualify.
•  

Temporary License

Eligible endorsement applicants may receive a temporary North Carolina nursing license, allowing them to begin working while the permanent application is under review. Temporary licenses are typically valid for up to six months or until the permanent license is issued, whichever comes first. They are issued only once to eligible applicants and are not renewable.

Tip: To reduce processing time, request your Nursys license verification as soon as you submit your application. In many endorsement applications, waiting for license verification is one of the most common causes of delays.

North Carolina Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

North Carolina is a participating member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing eligible registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) to hold one multistate nursing license and practice in all NLC member states without obtaining additional licenses. The state joined the original compact in 2000 and adopted the enhanced NLC in 2018.

To qualify for a North Carolina multistate license, your primary state of residence must be North Carolina, and you must meet all Uniform Licensure Requirements established by the NLC. If your primary residence changes to another compact state, you must apply for a multistate license in your new home state.

Under current NLC rules, nurses have 60 days after establishing residency in a new compact state to obtain the appropriate multistate license.

For nurses accepting temporary assignments across state lines, the NLC simplifies the licensing process and supports greater workforce mobility.

North Carolina Board of Nursing Fees (2026)

The North Carolina Board of Nursing maintains a straightforward fee structure for nursing licensure and renewal. Applicants seeking licensure by examination pay $75, while nurses applying through endorsement pay $150. Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) must renew their licenses every two years for $100. Additional costs, such as the NCLEX examination and criminal background check, are paid directly to third-party providers rather than the Board.

Fee/Amount (USD)

RN/LPN Licensure by Examination

$75

RN/LPN Licensure by Endorsement

$150

RN/LPN License Renewal (Every 2 Years)

$100

Reinstatement of Lapsed License

$180

Criminal Background Check

$38

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Approval to Practice

$100

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Renewal

$50

Nursys License Verification (Per License, Per State)

$30

NCLEX Examination (Paid to Pearson VUE)

$200

Note: Fees are subject to change. The NCLEX examination fee and criminal background check fee are collected by third-party providers, not the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

North Carolina’s Nursing Workforce

North Carolina is home to one of the largest nursing workforces in the United States, with 169,321 active Registered Nurse (RN) licenses. This represents approximately 3.29% of all active RN licenses nationwide, making North Carolina the 9th-largest nursing workforce in the country. Strong demand for nurses is fueled by major healthcare hubs, particularly in the Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte metropolitan areas.

North Carolina’s strategic location also strengthens its nursing workforce. The state shares borders with Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina—all members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This allows eligible nurses holding a North Carolina multistate license to practice across state lines without obtaining additional nursing licenses, supporting workforce mobility and helping meet regional healthcare staffing needs.