Transfer Your Nursing License to Vermont: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my nursing license transfer to Vermont?
Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate license from another compact state works in Vermont immediately, with no new application while you live in that other state; moving your residence to Vermont means applying by endorsement. Nurses from non-compact states (California, New York, and the other non-members) apply to the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) for licensure by endorsement — the NCLEX is not retaken.
Moving to Vermont 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 — Vermont requires nothing from you. If you are actually moving to Vermont, you are changing your primary state of residence, and that means an endorsement application to the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) to re-home your multistate license.
NLC member — a multistate license from another compact state is honored without a Vermont application; a Vermont multistate license requires Vermont residency and the +$100 multistate specialty. One-time 90-day provisional license can bridge pending verification or background-check results.
Vermont requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Fees | $150 (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor) |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks (OPR states 3-5 business days once documents are complete; fingerprint results can take up to 12 weeks - a 90-day provisional license is available while pending) |
Comparing Vermont with other states? Check RN endorsement requirements by state in the Endorsement Requirement Finder.
Step by step
- Confirm Vermont's current requirements on the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a license in good standing in another U.S. state or jurisdiction.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check (VCIC and FBI) for all first-time applicants.
- Nursys verification of your original license and your most recent state of practice (Quick Confirm report not accepted).
- Licensed 3+ years: apply via Fast Track Endorsement; under 3 years: standard endorsement.
- 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 Vermont:
Nearby states
Nursing license transfer into the states bordering Vermont:
Vermont for other professions
- Cosmetology / Barber in Vermont
- Real Estate in Vermont
- Contractor in Vermont
- Teaching in Vermont
- CPA / Accounting in Vermont
- Electrician in Vermont
- Plumber in Vermont
- Engineering in Vermont
- Pharmacy in Vermont
- Physical Therapy in Vermont
- Psychology in Vermont
- Counseling in Vermont
- Social Work in Vermont
- Occupational Therapy in Vermont
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in Vermont?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
Is Vermont in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes — Vermont is an NLC member as of 2026-10-29. A multistate license from another member state is valid in Vermont 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.
- Vermont OPR — Nursing Applications & Renewals ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Vermont OPR — Nursing FAQs (endorsement processing, Nursys) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Vermont OPR — Background Checks (VCIC fingerprinting, 6-12 week results) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Vermont OPR — RN Application Instructions (Feb 2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — Initial Licensing/Renewal Fees & Dates (updated 7/1/2025; read via Internet Archive capture of 2026-10-16, outside.vermont.gov returned HTTP 403) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
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