Nursing License from Virginia to Arkansas: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Arkansas State Board of Nursing ↗
Yes — both Virginia and Arkansas are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Virginia is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Arkansas now; if you are moving your residence to Arkansas, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Arkansas your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both Virginia and Arkansas are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Arkansas while living in Virginia — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Arkansas means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Arkansas and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, Virginia → Arkansas
| Virginia (current) | Arkansas (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $190 (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor) | $125 (endorsement application; + state/FBI background-check fee paid in the separate CBC system plus Live Scan vendor fee (amounts not published on board pages); optional $30 temporary permit) |
| Processing time | board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe | no processing timeframe stated by the board; temporary permit available while the application is pending |
| Licensing authority | Virginia Board of Nursing | Arkansas State Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Arkansas 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 Arkansas: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing when you move.
- Declare Arkansas as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Arkansas'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 Arkansas accept a Virginia nursing license?
Yes — both Virginia and Arkansas are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Virginia is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Arkansas now; if you are moving your residence to Arkansas, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Arkansas your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Virginia to Arkansas?
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 Arkansas: $125 (endorsement application; + state/FBI background-check fee paid in the separate CBC system plus Live Scan vendor fee (amounts not published on board pages); optional $30 temporary permit) (endorsement application; + state/FBI background-check fee paid in the separate CBC system plus Live Scan vendor fee (amounts not published on board pages); optional $30 temporary permit).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (no processing timeframe stated by the board; temporary permit available while the application is pending).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Arkansas SBN — RN Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas SBN — Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas SBN — Criminal Background Check Instructions (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Virginia Board of Nursing — Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Virginia Board of Nursing — Registered Nurse application wizard (endorsement path) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Nursys — Nurse License Verification participating boards ↗ (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]