Nursing License from Virginia to Louisiana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Louisiana State Board of Nursing ↗
Yes — both Virginia and Louisiana 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 Louisiana now; if you are moving your residence to Louisiana, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Louisiana 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 Louisiana are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Louisiana while living in Virginia — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Louisiana means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Louisiana and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, Virginia → Louisiana
| Virginia (current) | Louisiana (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) | $100–$200 ($100 endorsement application; $200 if adding the optional 90-day temporary permit; + fingerprint background check fees) |
| Processing time | board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe | no processing timeframe published; optional 90-day temporary endorsement permit allows practice while the application is pending |
| Licensing authority | Virginia Board of Nursing | Louisiana State Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Louisiana 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 Louisiana: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing when you move.
- Declare Louisiana as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Louisiana'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 Louisiana accept a Virginia nursing license?
Yes — both Virginia and Louisiana 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 Louisiana now; if you are moving your residence to Louisiana, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Louisiana your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Virginia to Louisiana?
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 Louisiana: $100–$200 ($100 endorsement application; $200 if adding the optional 90-day temporary permit; + fingerprint background check fees) ($100 endorsement application; $200 if adding the optional 90-day temporary permit; + fingerprint background check fees).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (no processing timeframe published; optional 90-day temporary endorsement permit allows practice while the application is pending).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- LSBN — Instructions and Forms for Initial RN License by Endorsement (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Louisiana Administrative Code 46:XLVII.3341 — Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Louisiana Administrative Code 46:XLVII.3330 — Criminal history check for endorsement ↗ (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]