Transfer Your Nursing License to Colorado: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my nursing license transfer to Colorado?
Colorado honors multistate licenses under the Nurse Licensure Compact — compact nurses who live in another member state need no Colorado application, while those relocating here apply by endorsement. From a non-compact state such as California or New York, the path is licensure by endorsement through the Colorado Board of Nursing, without retaking the NCLEX.
Moving to Colorado from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
NLC member — multistate license honored
Whether you need to do anything at all depends on the license in your pocket. If you hold a multistate license and your primary residence stays in another compact state — a travel contract, a border commute, telehealth — Colorado requires nothing from you. If you are actually moving to Colorado, you are changing your primary state of residence, and that means an endorsement application to the Colorado Board of Nursing to re-home your multistate license.
NLC member — a multistate license from another compact state is honored in Colorado without endorsement unless Colorado becomes the nurse's primary state of residence.
Colorado requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; all current and previously held licenses are verified through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Fees | endorsement fee not published on a public board page — shown inside the DPO Online Services portal at application; + fingerprint vendor fee (IdentoGO/Colorado Fingerprinting) |
| Processing time | board publishes no overall processing time; applications referred for Board program review typically take a minimum of three weeks (the Board meets monthly); fingerprint results stay available to the Division for only 90 days |
Comparing Colorado with other states? Check RN endorsement requirements by state in the Endorsement Requirement Finder.
Step by step
- Confirm Colorado's current requirements on the Colorado Board of Nursing website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Colorado Board of Nursing (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Fingerprint-based FBI and CBI criminal background check (results are available to the board for only 90 days, so print close to applying).
- Request verification of ALL current and previously held nursing licenses through Nursys (Pennsylvania licenses are verified directly by that state's board).
- Hold or have held an active RN license in another US state or jurisdiction.
- Apply online through DPO Online Services and declare your primary state of residence for a multistate license.
- If you have not worked on an active nursing license in the last 2 years, demonstrate continued competency (for example, a board-recognized refresher course).
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Colorado:
Nearby states
Nursing license transfer into the states bordering Colorado:
Colorado for other professions
- Cosmetology / Barber in Colorado
- Real Estate in Colorado
- Contractor in Colorado
- Teaching in Colorado
- CPA / Accounting in Colorado
- Electrician in Colorado
- Plumber in Colorado
- Engineering in Colorado
- Pharmacy in Colorado
- Physical Therapy in Colorado
- Psychology in Colorado
- Counseling in Colorado
- Social Work in Colorado
- Occupational Therapy in Colorado
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in Colorado?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; all current and previously held licenses are verified through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
Is Colorado in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes — Colorado is an NLC member as of 2026-10-29. A multistate license from another member state is valid in Colorado without any application, as long as your primary residence stays in a member state.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- Colorado DPO — Nursing Applications and Forms ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Nursys — participating boards (Colorado) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Colorado DPO — Registered Nurse Initial Application Preview (endorsement requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Colorado DPO — Fingerprinting and Background Check ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Colorado DPO — Nursing FAQs ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Colorado DPO — Nurse Licensure Compact ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
How we verify · All sources · Corrections log · spot an error? hello@licensereciprocity.com