Nursing License from Texas to Alaska: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does Alaska accept a Texas nursing license?
A nursing license transfers from Texas to Alaska by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Alaska Board of Nursing, verify your Texas license, and meet Alaska's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Moving from Texas into Alaska means leaving the compact's coverage: Alaska does not participate, so the multistate privilege that made Texas easy stops at the border. File Alaska's endorsement application as early as the board allows — this direction of the move is paperwork-first, and starting after you arrive is the classic way to lose weeks of income. Note that while your primary residence remains in Texas, your multistate license keeps working in the compact states; you only lose it when you establish residence in Alaska.
What's different between Texas and Alaska
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Alaska. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
Texas to Alaska (this page): Licensure by endorsement.
Alaska to Texas (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.
The route is the same in both directions.
- Does coming from Texas matter?
Coming from Texas does not change the answer: every origin (the other 49 states and DC) gets the same result for a move into Alaska.
- NLC membership
Texas is an NLC member state; Alaska is not in the NLC.
Because they are not both active members, the NLC does not cover this move.
A multistate license issued by Texas does not cover practice in Alaska.
- Application fee
Alaska lists $300 for an out-of-state applicant and Texas lists $150 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.
- Processing time
Texas lists up to 3 weeks for the reverse move; Alaska has no verified processing-time figure on file, so the two cannot be compared here.
- Exam rules on record
Texas and Alaska carry the same exam note for a licensee arriving from another state; any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
What changes, Texas → Alaska
| Texas (current) | Alaska (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | Licensure by endorsement |
| Application fee | $150 ($125 endorsement + $25 nursing jurisprudence exam fee; + DPS/FBI fingerprint fee paid to vendor (amount set by DPS/CJIS)) | $300 ($100 nonrefundable application + $200 license fee; + $75 fingerprint processing ($375 total collected with the online application)) |
| Processing time | up to 3 weeks (board reviews for permanent licensure within 15 business days of receiving the last required item; one-time 120-day temporary license issued within 15 business days of application receipt) | board states no timeframe; six-month nonrenewable temporary permit available once application, fees, fingerprints, and license verification are processed |
| Licensing authority | Texas Board of Nursing | Alaska Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Alaska sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Alaska's current requirements on the Alaska Board of Nursing website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Alaska Board of Nursing (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Fingerprint-based state (Alaska DPS) and FBI criminal background check via FD-258 card.
- License verification via Nursys (or sent directly) from both the state of initial licensure and the state of current licensure.
- Hold a current license in another state or Canadian province (inactive status does not qualify).
- Employer verification of at least 320 hours of nursing practice within the past 5 years, or complete a board-approved refresher course.
- Submit a notarized signature page.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Texas to Alaska?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- Alaska BON — Initial Application for RN License by Endorsement, Online Instructions (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Nurse Licensure Compact — official site ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Texas BON — Licensure by Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Texas BON — RN Endorsement Application Requirements, Graduates of U.S. Programs (V5.2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Texas BON — Schedule of Fees (Chapter 223) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
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