Arizona nursing license rules
Compact stateRN and LPN · Last checked October 29, 2026 · Sources
Arizona is a compact state (since January 2018). If your primary state of residence is another compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can work in Arizona in person or by telehealth without a new license. If you live in Arizona, your multistate license is issued here.
- Renewal cycle
- Every 4 years
- When it expires
- Renew by April 1 of the renewal year (every 4 years); window opens 6 months before and closes 30 days after the due date; check due date on Nursys
- Renewal fee
- $160
- Continuing education
- No set number of CE hours. The state may require other proof of competence (such as practice hours or a certification) or specific courses; check the board's renewal page.
- Required CE topics
- None found on the board's pages.
- Endorsement fee
- $150
- Fingerprints for endorsement
- Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
- Temporary permit
- Available. Temporary license, $50, valid up to 12 months unless extended for good cause (R4-19-304)
- How to apply
- Apply through the Arizona Nurse Portal; verification via Nursys ($30 paid to Nursys); fingerprint card unless prints given in the past 2 years; must meet practice requirement (R4-19-312).
- Renewal cycle
- Every 4 years
- When it expires
- Same as RN: by April 1 of the renewal year, every 4 years
- Renewal fee
- $160
- Continuing education
- No set number of CE hours. The state may require other proof of competence (such as practice hours or a certification) or specific courses; check the board's renewal page.
- Required CE topics
- None found on the board's pages.
- Endorsement fee
- $150
- Fingerprints for endorsement
- Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
- Temporary permit
- Available. Same $50 temporary license as RN, up to 12 months (R4-19-304)
- How to apply
- Same as RN: Nurse Portal application, Nursys verification, fingerprints, practice requirement.
Moving or traveling
Moving to Arizona from another compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new home state within 60 days (rule effective 2024-01-02). May keep practicing on the old multistate license until the new one is issued; the old one is then deactivated. Can apply before moving.
Moving here from a non-compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new home state; a multistate license may be issued if residency and uniform requirements (incl. state and federal fingerprint background checks) are met. The old single-state license is unaffected.
Board of nursing
Sources
- https://azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/agency-fees
- https://www.azbn.gov/licenses-certifications/renew-your-license
- https://azbn.gov/node/61
- https://regulations.justia.com/states/arizona/title-4/chapter-19/article-3/r4-19-301
- https://regulations.justia.com/states/arizona/title-4/chapter-19/article-3/r4-19-302
- https://regulations.justia.com/states/arizona/title-4/chapter-19/article-3/r4-19-304
- https://www.nursecompact.com/files/NLC_Map.pdf
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