Nursing License from New Mexico to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Washington State Board of Nursing ↗
Yes — both New Mexico and Washington are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If New Mexico is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Washington now; if you are moving your residence to Washington, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Washington your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both New Mexico and Washington are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Washington while living in New Mexico — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Washington means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Washington and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, New Mexico → Washington
| New Mexico (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $150 (endorsement application (nonrefundable); + $59 IdentoGO fingerprint background check; optional temporary license $60; $50 multistate compact license fee effective June 1, 2026) | $138–$203 ($138 single-state / $203 multistate initial application; FBI fingerprint fee paid separately) |
| Processing time | board does not publish an endorsement processing timeline; a $60 temporary license is listed on the board's fee schedule | 1–3 weeks (about 7 business days for a complete application; multistate-license review 2-3 weeks; temporary practice permit issued once requirements are met pending the FBI background check) |
| Licensing authority | New Mexico Board of Nursing | Washington State Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Washington sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
- If you are moving your primary residence to Washington: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Washington State Board of Nursing when you move.
- Declare Washington as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Washington's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington accept a New Mexico nursing license?
Yes — both New Mexico and Washington are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If New Mexico is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Washington now; if you are moving your residence to Washington, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Washington your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from New Mexico to Washington?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
If you are only working across the border, nothing. If you are relocating your residence to Washington: $138–$203 ($138 single-state / $203 multistate initial application; FBI fingerprint fee paid separately) ($138 single-state / $203 multistate initial application; FBI fingerprint fee paid separately).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (1–3 weeks (about 7 business days for a complete application; multistate-license review 2-3 weeks; temporary practice permit issued once requirements are met pending the FBI background check)).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- WABON — RN License requirements (licensed in another US state) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WABON — Nurse license fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WABON — RN and LPN Multistate License information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NM Board of Nursing — RN & LPN (endorsement steps) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NM Board of Nursing — Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NM Board of Nursing — Fingerprinting/Idemia ↗ (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]