How to transfer your license to another state

Start with the new state, not the old one

No US license is valid nationwide, and a state never has to accept another state's license unless its own law says so. The board in the state you are moving to decides, so read its rules first. On each occupation page here, the section "Moving to [state] with a license from another state" lists exactly what that board publishes.

The routes a board may offer

• Reciprocity agreements. The board accepts licenses from states it has an agreement with, often only for licenses earned by exam and held for a minimum time. Some boards print the list of states; others only cite the agreements, so ask the board. A list is one-way: Texas accepting an Alabama journeyman license does not mean Alabama accepts a Texas one.
• License by endorsement. The board licenses people from any state whose standards it finds equal to its own, usually after checking your license history and sometimes requiring a state law exam.
• Universal license recognition. A state law that tells boards to license new residents who already hold a license elsewhere, usually after a set time in good standing. Boards apply it license by license.
• Exam waiver or score transfer. The board accepts a national exam you already passed so you do not sit it again.
• Temporary license or permit. Lets you work while the full application is processed.
• Military members and spouses. Faster or temporary licenses for service members and their spouses who move on military orders; boards in 48 of the 50 states and DC we cover publish such a route for at least one license.
• Interstate compacts. For some health and education jobs, member states share a multistate license or a privilege to practice. See license compacts.

How many states publish each route

Counts of states where the board publishes the route for the main license of each occupation (states without a state license are left out).

Steps that apply almost everywhere

• Ask your current board for a license verification (sometimes called a certification of licensure) to be sent to the new board. Many boards charge for it.
• Gather proof of the hours, education and exams you completed, and of your work history if the new state counts experience.
• Expect a background check, often with fingerprints, in the new state even if you passed one before.
• Apply in the new state before you take on work there; working before the license is issued can be a violation.
• Keep your old license active until the new one arrives if you may still work in the old state.

For example, the fee to send a license verification to another state is Alabama cosmetologist board: $25¹, Alabama registered nurse board: $50², Alabama plumber board: $15³, Alabama massage therapist board: $35⁴, Alabama general contractor board: $50⁵ and Alaska cosmetologist board: $20⁶.

Check your own move

The moving planner takes your occupation, the state you hold a license in and the state you are moving to, and shows what the new state's board publishes, including whether your state is on its reciprocity list.