Nurse state crossing · Colorado licensing · NLC status table · LPN/LVN list
RN work list: Colorado
What an RN has to do to work in Colorado. Pick where you live and the page shows your route.
Pick your home state to see which route applies. Both are listed below.
Home and work in Colorado
If you already hold a licence Colorado issued, there is no state line to cross. Renewal and continuing-education rules are on the Colorado licensing page.
Moved here from another compact state? NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.” The endorsement steps are below.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Route A: practise on your multistate licence
For a nurse whose home state and Colorado are both compact states in force, holding a multistate licence.
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Look yourself up on Nursys QuickConfirm. NCSBN: “If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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Only the compact state you actually live in can issue your multistate licence. NCSBN: “If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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NCSBN defines the privilege to practise as the authority “permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state”.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Conditions & source context
For eligible RN/LPN multistate license holders; verify active privilege and employer credentialing.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 8 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Nurses holding a multistate license can practice in other NLC states/territories, without obtaining additional licenses, while maintaining their primary state of residence (PSOR)
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
If you move for good, not just for a contract: NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Route B: get a Colorado licence by endorsement
For everyone else. Each step comes from Colorado’s own licensing sources; tick it off as you go.
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State Board of Nursing · dpo.colorado.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Registered Nurse - Initial License by Endorsement or Telehealth Method
dpo.colorado.gov · State Board of Nursing
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- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
Conditions & source context
Rule 1.1(F)(1) expressly incorporates D(5).
State administrative code · sos.state.co.us · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Applicant must submit fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation responsible for retaining the state’s criminal records set forth in section 24-60-380(III)(c)(6), C.R.S.
sos.state.co.us · State administrative code
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RN
- Hours
- 0
- Mandated topics
None
- Any category
- 0
LPN
- Hours
- 0
- Mandated topics
None
- Any category
- 0
Conditions & source context
Current FAQ CE tab was expanded and read. Separate competency requirements apply to reinstatement/reactivation after inactivity; APRN certification requirements are separate.
State Board of Nursing · dpo.colorado.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Continuing education hours are not currently required in order to renew a Registered Nurse, Practical Nurse, Nurse Aide Certification, or Psychiatric Technician license in Colorado.
dpo.colorado.gov · State Board of Nursing
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Our Colorado record has nothing sourced for RNs on: eligibility, the fee, licence verification, temporary permits, any jurisprudence exam, other state-specific requirements, processing time. Get those from the board directly: dpo.colorado.gov.
State Board of Nursing · dpo.colorado.gov · checked 10 Oct 2026
Built from the Colorado nursing licensing record and the compact status table. A step appears only when the record has a sourced answer for it; anything else points to the board. Informational only: confirm with the board of nursing before you apply.