Transfer Your Nursing License to District of Columbia: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my nursing license transfer to District of Columbia?
District of Columbia is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so no out-of-state license — multistate or single-state — authorizes practice there. Every incoming RN applies to the District of Columbia Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement: $280 (combined application + criminal background check fee, Visa/MasterCard only; + $30 Nursys verification fee), processing 6+ weeks (board asks applicants to allow 30 business days after applying before checking application status), and the NCLEX is not retaken.
Moving to District of Columbia from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Plan the timeline first. Because District of Columbia recognizes no outside license, you cannot legally work a single shift there until its own license (or temporary permit, where offered) is in hand — and unlike compact states, there is no shortcut for travel or telehealth work either.
Not an NLC member — a compact multistate license does not cover DC; every out-of-state RN must obtain a separate DC license by endorsement.
District of Columbia requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; official verification of your original NCLEX-based licensure is submitted through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Fees | $280 (combined application + criminal background check fee, Visa/MasterCard only; + $30 Nursys verification fee) |
| Processing time | 6+ weeks (board asks applicants to allow 30 business days after applying before checking application status) |
Comparing District of Columbia with other states? Check RN endorsement requirements by state in the Endorsement Requirement Finder.
Step by step
- Confirm District of Columbia's current requirements on the District of Columbia Board of Nursing website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check through Fieldprint (appointment scheduled after paying the application fee).
- Official verification from your original state of licensure via Nursys (email verification for non-participating boards).
- Hold a current RN license and be continuously in good standing in every jurisdiction where you hold or have held a license.
- Original licensure must have been based on passing the NCLEX-RN or the State Board Test Pool Examination.
- Upload a US government-issued photo ID and a 2x2 front-facing photo on a white background.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Nearby states
Nursing license transfer into the states bordering District of Columbia:
District of Columbia for other professions
- Cosmetology / Barber in District of Columbia
- Real Estate in District of Columbia
- Contractor in District of Columbia
- Teaching in District of Columbia
- CPA / Accounting in District of Columbia
- Electrician in District of Columbia
- Plumber in District of Columbia
- Engineering in District of Columbia
- Pharmacy in District of Columbia
- Physical Therapy in District of Columbia
- Psychology in District of Columbia
- Counseling in District of Columbia
- Social Work in District of Columbia
- Occupational Therapy in District of Columbia
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in District of Columbia?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; official verification of your original NCLEX-based licensure is submitted through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
Is District of Columbia in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
No. District of Columbia does not participate as of 2026-10-29, so compact multistate licenses carry no practice privilege there.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- DC Health — RN Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- DC Board of Nursing — Registered Nurse Endorsement Requirements (PDF) ↗ (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