Transfer Your Nursing License to Ohio: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my nursing license transfer to Ohio?
Ohio honors multistate licenses under the Nurse Licensure Compact — compact nurses who live in another member state need no Ohio 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 Ohio Board of Nursing, without retaking the NCLEX.
Moving to Ohio 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 — Ohio requires nothing from you. If you are actually moving to Ohio, you are changing your primary state of residence, and that means an endorsement application to the Ohio Board of Nursing to re-home your multistate license.
NLC member — a multistate license from another compact state is honored without an Ohio application unless Ohio becomes the primary state of residence. Applications are filed online through the eLicense Ohio portal (elicense.ohio.gov).
Ohio requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Fees | $75 (non-refundable endorsement (reciprocity) application; + eLicense system transaction fee and BCI/FBI fingerprinting costs paid to vendors) |
| Processing time | board does not publish a stated range; application is void and fee forfeited if incomplete for one year |
Comparing Ohio with other states? Check RN endorsement requirements by state in the Endorsement Requirement Finder.
Step by step
- Confirm Ohio's current requirements on the Ohio Board of Nursing website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Ohio Board of Nursing (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Complete a BCI (state) and FBI (federal) fingerprint-based criminal records check.
- Provide verification of your original licensure by examination and of a current, valid, unrestricted license via Nursys or directly from that NCSBN jurisdiction.
- Submit documentation of 2 contact hours of Category A continuing education on the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and Board rules.
- Provide evidence of completing an RN pre-licensure education program approved by the Board or another NCSBN jurisdiction.
- 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 Ohio:
Nearby states
Nursing license transfer into the states bordering Ohio:
Ohio for other professions
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in Ohio?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
Is Ohio in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes — Ohio is an NLC member as of 2026-10-29. A multistate license from another member state is valid in Ohio 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.
- Ohio BON — RN Licensure by Endorsement application instructions (official sample application, eLicense) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Nursys — participating boards of nursing (Ohio listed) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
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