Nursing License from California to New Hampshire: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) ↗
A nursing license transfers from California to New Hampshire by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification), verify your California license, and meet New Hampshire's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This direction has a silver lining. California is outside the compact, so you have been carrying a single-state license — but New Hampshire is a member. Endorse into New Hampshire, establish it as your primary residence, meet the uniform licensure requirements, and the license you receive is multistate: one application turns into practice privileges across the whole compact.
What changes, California → New Hampshire
| California (current) | New Hampshire (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | Licensure by endorsement | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $350 (US-educated endorsement application ($750 if internationally educated); + $49 fingerprint hard card if out of state (Live Scan vendor fees vary); optional $100 temporary license) | $120 (RN endorsement license fee (non-refundable) per the OPLC Board of Nursing license fees page; optional temporary license available while pending) |
| Processing time | 10–13 weeks (initial evaluation mandated within 90 days; board processing page (June 2026) was reviewing US endorsement applications received about 10-12 weeks earlier; temporary license available) | no timeframe published; applicants have up to 180 days to complete the application |
| Licensing authority | California Board of Registered Nursing | New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New Hampshire sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm New Hampshire's current requirements on the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Show 400 hours of active practice within the previous 4 years, or NCLEX passage within the previous 2 years.
- Request Nurse License Verification for Endorsement through Nursys from your original state of licensure.
- Criminal history record check.
- Pay the fees ($120 (RN endorsement license fee (non-refundable) per the OPLC Board of Nursing license fees page; optional temporary license available while pending)) and allow no timeframe published; applicants have up to 180 days to complete the application.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New Hampshire accept a California nursing license?
A nursing license transfers from California to New Hampshire by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification), verify your California license, and meet New Hampshire's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from California to New Hampshire?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
$120 (RN endorsement license fee (non-refundable) per the OPLC Board of Nursing license fees page; optional temporary license available while pending) (RN endorsement license fee (non-refundable) per the OPLC Board of Nursing license fees page; optional temporary license available while pending).
How long will it take?
no timeframe published; applicants have up to 180 days to complete the application — no timeframe published; applicants have up to 180 days to complete the application.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NH OPLC — Board of Nursing License Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NH OPLC — Board of Nursing ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California BRN — Licensure by Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California BRN — Endorsement Application Fees & Instructions (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California BRN — Processing Times ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]