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How to get a Registered Nurse (RN) license in Idaho

Idaho licenses registered nurses statewide through the Board of Nursing.1 For the Registered Nurse (RN) license you need a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN)2 and a criminal background check1. The board lists $102 for the application (RN license by examination)3 and $102 for the application (Internationally educated RN applicants)3, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years4.

Last checked · 11 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Nursing

Training and experience

An approved education program; see the requirements

Exam

National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN)2

Fees the board lists

Application fee (RN license by examination): $1023
Application fee (Internationally educated RN applicants): $1023

Renewal

Every 2 years4

From another state

Interstate compact privilege, Multistate license (interstate compact), License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses536 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Registered Nurse (RN) license
  2. Requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) license
  3. How much a Registered Nurse (RN) license costs
  4. How to apply
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Moving to Idaho with a license from another state
  7. Check a license or report a problem
  8. Laws and rules
  9. Rule changes since January 2024
  10. Common questions
  11. Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

Who needs a Registered Nurse (RN) license

A licensed registered nurse assesses health status, identifies problems amenable to nursing intervention, sets goals, plans and prescribes a strategy of care and nursing interventions, and implements care including administering medications and treatments prescribed by authorized providers.7

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Nurse apprentice: an enrolled nursing student employed by a Board-approved agency in a non-licensed capacity, by Board letter, for up to three months after completing the program.2
  • Non-resident nurses licensed elsewhere who are in Idaho temporarily for a Board-recognized short course of instruction; family members and gratuitous respite caregivers.8

Requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) license

Education or training
Successful completion of the basic curriculum of an approved registered nursing education program (or its equivalent); Idaho graduates must have the degree conferred, out-of-state graduates need a board-approved program substantially equivalent to Idaho programs.2
Who may teach it: Board-approved nursing education program: an Idaho program approved by the Board, or (out of state) a program approved by the board of nursing of another jurisdiction that meets substantially the same basic educational requirements.2
Alternative: Internationally educated (not U.S./Canada): demonstrate nursing knowledge (home-country license, TruMerit/CGFNS or JS&A credential), English proficiency, course-by-course credential evaluation by a Board-approved evaluator, license in good standing, and pass the NCLEX before a renewable license issues.8
Alternative: Canadian graduates may apply by examination; Canadian-licensed nurses educated in English who passed the "Canadian NCLEX" may apply by endorsement.8
Exam
National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN)2
Given by: Pearson VUE3
When you can take it: In-state graduates apply after the degree is conferred; results are emailed by the Board within (two) five business days of testing.3
Retakes: Re-test after 45 days; approval to test/retest may be conditioned on a test-readiness plan (form "Request for Approval to Take/Retake the NCLEX").3
Time limit: Graduates who do not take the exam within 12 months of completing the program must follow Board-prescribed remedial measures.2
Exam waived: Not re-taken by endorsement applicants who passed the same licensing exam and hold a current, valid, unrestricted license elsewhere; the Board may accept the State Board Test Pool exam in lieu of the NCLEX.2
Background check
Background check required1
Fingerprints required9
Fingerprint-based criminal history reports are reviewed by Board staff under policy HP-BON-Licensure 5; applicants may be told of report content relevant to licensure decisions.8
Residency or citizenship
Multistate (compact) license only for applicants whose primary state of residence is Idaho; foreign applicants are pointed to lawful-presence resources.3
Social Security number
A valid U.S. Social Security number is required for a multistate license; applicants without an SSN are referred to Idaho Code 73-122.5
Also required
Applicant must be of sufficiently sound physical and mental health not to impair the ability to practice.10
Also required
Applications and fees stay valid for one year from submittal.3

How much a Registered Nurse (RN) license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1023Board of NursingRN license by examination (NCLEX)
License by endorsement or reciprocity$1023Board of NursingRN licensed in another jurisdiction
Application fee$1023Board of NursingInternationally educated RN applicants
Fingerprint and state background check$373Board of NursingIncluded in exam/endorsement/international/reinstatement application fees; not charged separately
Temporary license or permit$253Board of NursingMust also apply for a renewable license
Record Verification$303Board of NursingRecord verification (free when sent to another board of nursing; Nursys verification is $30 to NCSBN)

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, Pearson VUE3, when you schedule.

How to apply

  1. Create a DOPL online profile and submit the RN license-by-examination (or endorsement/international) application with the $102 fee (includes $37 fingerprint processing) through the Nurse Portal.3
  2. Get fingerprinted on an FD-258 card or by LiveScan using ORI ID920220Z and reason "IDC-54-1401 Nursing License"; mail cards to the Board at 11341 W. Chinden Blvd., Building 4, Boise, ID 83714.3
  3. Have your school (or a transcript service) send the transcript or affidavit of graduation directly to the Board by mail or to [email protected].3
  4. Register for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE; results come from the Board by email.3
  5. Track the application in the Nurse Portal; final review takes up to 5 business days once complete. Licensed elsewhere? Apply by endorsement and have your license verified through Nursys.3
Apply online
edopl.idaho.gov3
Temporary or provisional license
$25 temporary license (up to 90 days, extendable at Board discretion) for endorsement applicants and for new graduates from 30 days before graduation until exam results; graduates work under direct RN supervision and cannot be charge nurse; no further temporary license after a failed NCLEX. A "graduate license" requires the ATT and lasts 90 days, not extendable.3
Processing time
Once the application and all documents are received, final review takes up to 5 business days.3

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years4
Renewal fee
$703
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $352 (license lapsed (not renewed by August 31 / expiry date); paid with renewal fees)
If it expires
Licenses not renewed before September 1 of the renewal year lapse and are invalid. Reinstatement: application, proof of competency, fingerprint check and fee; NCLEX not re-taken, but employment verification and possible continued-competence requirements apply.4
Early renewal: up to 60 days before the birthday expiry under the new cycle.11
Renew online
edopl.idaho.gov3

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Idaho Registered Nurse (RN) license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Idaho with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Nursing publishes for the Registered Nurse (RN) license.

Route
Interstate compact privilege
What the board says
Idaho has enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate RN license issued by another party (home) state authorizes practice in Idaho without an Idaho license.5
Conditions
Nurse must follow the practice laws of the state where the patient is located.5
Route
Multistate license (interstate compact)
What the board says
Idaho residents can hold an Idaho-issued multistate (compact) license if they meet the uniform requirements (approved program, NCLEX, fingerprints, no felony, valid SSN, not in an alternative program).3
Conditions
No felony conviction or agreed disposition; misdemeanours related to nursing reviewed case by case.5
Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Licensure by interstate endorsement: graduate of an approved program, passed the same licensing exam, current valid unrestricted license in another jurisdiction; verification through Nursys (CA, MI, PA use the Idaho verification form).3
Fee
$1023
Route
Temporary license or permit
What the board says
Temporary license by interstate endorsement on proof of current licensure in good standing elsewhere ($25; must apply for a renewable license).3
Fee
$253
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Service members, honorably discharged veterans and spouses may get expedited processing and credit for relevant military training (Idaho Code 67-9401 to 67-9407); active members may qualify for renewal-fee waivers (67-2606).6

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a registered nurse in Idaho, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Idaho is on the Idaho license lookup page.

Look up a license
edopl.idaho.gov3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • July 1, 2026: IDAPA 24.34.01.400 fee section amended (effective 7-1-26): $35 reinstatement fee in addition to renewal fees.2
  • April 1, 2026: DOPL began moving Board of Nursing licenses to 2-year terms expiring on the licensee's birthday (announced March 10, 2026).11

Common questions

Can I transfer my registered nurse license to Idaho?

The Board of Nursing publishes these routes for the Registered Nurse (RN) license: interstate compact privilege5, multistate license (interstate compact)3, license by endorsement3 and temporary license or permit3. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Registered Nurse (RN) license in Idaho?

Every 2 years4. The renewal fee is $703.

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Idaho Code § 54-1401 Purpose — License requiredIdaho Legislature (Idaho Code)Checked November 7, 2026
  2. IDAPA 24.34.01 – Rules of the Idaho Board of NursingIdaho Office of the Administrative Rules CoordinatorChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Board of Nursing (home, FAQs, fee and expiration tables)Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Idaho Code § 54-1411 Renewal and reinstatement of licenseIdaho Legislature (Idaho Code)Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Idaho Code § 54-1418 Nurse licensure compactIdaho Legislature (Idaho Code)Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Military Service Members, Veterans and SpousesIdaho Division of Occupational and Professional LicensesDated March 19, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Idaho Code § 54-1402 DefinitionsIdaho Legislature (Idaho Code)Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Idaho Board of Nursing Licensure Policies (HP-BON-Licensure 1-6)Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Idaho Board of Nursing Fingerprint ProcessIdaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  10. Idaho Code § 54-1408 License for registered nursingIdaho Legislature (Idaho Code)Checked November 7, 2026
  11. Big changes are on the way! (biennial birthday renewal transition)Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Board of NursingDated March 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026