How to get a single-state Registered Nurse license in Nebraska
Nebraska licenses registered nurses statewide through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).1 For the Registered Nurse – single-state license you need a criminal background check1. You renew every 2 years1.
Who issues it
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Renewal
Every 2 years1
On this page
- Nebraska registered nurse licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a single-state Registered Nurse license
- Requirements for a single-state Registered Nurse license
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to Nebraska with a license from another state
- Multistate Registered Nurse license
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states
Nebraska registered nurse licenses
Nebraska issues 2 registered nurse credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for every Nebraska registered nurse license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 19 years old1
- Background check
- Background check required1
Fingerprints required1
Fingerprints go to the Nebraska State Patrol and FBI; the applicant authorizes release of the national record to DHHS and pays the actual cost.1 - Social Security number
- Application must give the applicant's Social Security number, or a resident identification number for an eligible non-citizen.1
- Also required
- Must show good character.1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duplicate or replacement license | $101 | DHHS | – |
| License verification to another state | $251 | DHHS | – |
| License verification to another state | $51 | DHHS | – |
| Administrative fee retained from a denied credential or withdrawn application | $251 | DHHS | Denied or withdrawn application; examination fees are not returned. Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
How to apply
- Complete an approved RN program; you can file the Nebraska license application up to 90 days before graduation.1
- Apply to DHHS (Licensure Unit) with the fee, your legal name, birth date and place, address and Social Security number.1 dhhs.ne.gov2
- Submit a full set of fingerprints to the Nebraska State Patrol for the state and FBI check and pay the actual cost.1
- Low-income applicants, military families and young workers (18-25) can have initial credential fees waived (fingerprint cost still applies).1
- Temporary or provisional license
- Military spouses of active-duty members stationed in Nebraska with a valid credential from a jurisdiction with similar standards get a temporary credential (valid until the regular application is decided, max one year); no credential fees except actual fingerprint/background-check cost.1
Renewal
- How often
- Every 2 years1
- Approved courses
- Continuing competency must be met by the expiry date; holders keep their own records, and renewals may be randomly sampled biennially for audit.1
- Exemptions
- DHHS may waive continuing competency for circumstances beyond the holder's control, including armed-forces service during the period or first credentialing within the period.1
- Late renewal
- Reinstatement fee: $351
- If it expires
- No grace period: a credential not renewed by the expiry date expires and the right to practice ends; reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements plus the $35 reinstatement fee and renewal fee. Inactive status may be requested in writing and kept indefinitely (no practice).1
From another state
- Route
- Universal license recognition
- What the board says
- Uniform Credentialing Act reciprocity: a credential current and valid in another state/territory/DC for at least one year, with documented education, exam passage and no unresolved discipline, can be issued the equivalent Nebraska credential — but a credential issued this way is not valid for interstate-compact purposes (single-state only).1
- Route
- Military service members and spouses
- What the board says
- Military spouses of active-duty members stationed in Nebraska with a valid credential from a jurisdiction with similar standards get a temporary credential (valid until the regular application is decided, max one year); no credential fees except actual fingerprint/background-check cost.1
Who needs a single-state Registered Nurse license
Other rules on who may do this work:
- Single-state license: valid only in Nebraska.3
Requirements for a single-state Registered Nurse license
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
- Residency or citizenship
- US citizen, lawfully admitted/present alien eligible for a credential, or holder of a valid I-766 employment authorization document plus qualifying DHS/USCIS documentation.1
Renewal and continuing education
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Nebraska Registered Nurse – single-state license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to Nebraska with a license from another state
These are the routes DHHS publishes for the single-state Registered Nurse license. The other registered nurse licenses have their own routes in their sections below.
- Route
- Interstate compact privilege
- What the board says
- Nebraska is a Nurse Licensure Compact state (enhanced NLC implemented January 19, 2018): a multistate RN license from another compact home state authorizes practice in Nebraska. A Nebraska single-state license (e.g. one issued under UCA reciprocity, 38-129.02) is not valid for compact purposes.1
Multistate Registered Nurse license
Requirements
- Residency or citizenship
- US citizen, lawfully admitted/present alien eligible for a credential, or holder of a valid I-766 employment authorization document plus qualifying DHS/USCIS documentation. A multistate (compact) license is for nurses who reside in Nebraska (NLC commission map).1
From another state
- Route
- Interstate compact privilege
- What the board says
- Nebraska is a Nurse Licensure Compact state (enhanced NLC implemented January 19, 2018): a multistate RN license from another compact home state authorizes practice in Nebraska.3
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a registered nurse in Nebraska, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Nebraska is on the Nebraska license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- nebraska.gov4
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Common questions
Can I transfer my registered nurse license to Nebraska?
DHHS publishes these routes for the single-state Registered Nurse license: interstate compact privilege1 and universal license recognition1. Conditions and forms.
How often do you renew a single-state Registered Nurse license in Nebraska?
Every 2 years1.
Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Uniform Credentialing Act (compilation)Nebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)State of Nebraska One Stop License PortalChecked November 7, 2026
- NLC Map PDFNurse Licensure Compact (NCSBN-administered)Dated September 6, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- License Information System SearchDHHS License Information System (Nebraska.gov)Dated November 6, 2026Checked November 7, 2026