Licensing authority
Georgia Board of Nursing
Source quotation
the Georgia Board of Nursing has adopted CE Broker
rules.sos.ga.gov · State administrative code
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
GA
Georgia
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
Multistate license recognizedGA
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · verified 8 Oct 2026
- Law enacted
- Yes Georgia SB 109 (2017), O.C.G.A. § 43-26-61
- In force
- Yes since 1 Jul 2017
- Issuing multistate licenses
- Yes issuing multistate licenses since 19 Jan 2018
Each answer links to the state rule it comes from. Open “Source quotation” for the exact wording.
Licensing authority
Board contacts, official applications and governing rules.
Authority website
Licensing portal
Contact
- Phone
- 404-424-9966
- Address
- 3920 Arkwright Rd, Suite 195, Macon, Georgia 31210
Source quotation
3920 Arkwright Rd Suite 195 Macon, Georgia 31210 Phone 404-424-9966
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
Governing law
O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 26; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapters 410-2 through 410-5
License requirements
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
Licence types
RN
- State title
- Registered Nurse
- Multistate
- Yes
Conditions & source context
This record focuses on RN requirements; the Board confirms RN and LPN eligibility for multistate applications.
Source quotation
Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses who hold an active Georgia license and meet specific eNLC requirements are eligible to apply for multistate licensure.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
Multistate licences issued
Yes
Source quotation
Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses who hold an active Georgia license and meet specific eNLC requirements are eligible to apply for multistate licensure.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
Licence term
- Years
- 2
- Expires on
- The same date for everyone
- Fixed date
- January 31 of the assigned expiration year
Conditions & source context
The same guide explicitly states renewal every two years; the assigned expiration year controls. Late renewal is February 1–28.
Source quotation
Renewal is completed online and is required by January 31 of the year it expires.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
NCLEX required to get licensed
Yes
Working across state lines
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
NLC law enacted
- Citation
- Georgia SB 109 (2017), O.C.G.A. § 43-26-61
- Status
- Yes
Conditions & source context
Georgia enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact through Act 175 / SB 109. The exact enactment date is unverified.
Source quotation
Act 175; SB 109 This Act enacts the "Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact" ("REPLICA") and the "Nurse Licensure Compact."
legis.ga.gov · State legislature
NLC law in force
- Status
- Yes
- Effective
1 Jul 2017
Conditions & source context
The act took effect July 1, 2017. Georgia’s compact implementation date is January 19, 2018. A separate delayed-implementation clause is unverified.
Source quotation
Act 175; SB 109 This Act enacts the "Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact" ("REPLICA") and the "Nurse Licensure Compact." The Act enacts O.C.G.A. Sections 38-3-70, 38-3-71, 43-26-60, 43-26-61, 43-26-62, 43-26-63, 43-26-64, and 43-26-65 and amends O.C.G.A. Section 43-26-5. Effective July 1, 2017.
legis.ga.gov · State legislature
Issuing multistate licences
- Status
- Yes
- Connected
19 Jan 2018
Conditions for privilege
- Georgia must be the primary state of residence for Georgia to issue a multistate license, and the nurse must meet Uniform Licensure Requirements.
Source quotation
Georgia must be your primary state of residence and you must meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements for a Multistate License.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
Home-state residence rule
- Keys off home-state residence
- Yes
- If your home state changes
- When permanently relocating between compact states, apply for endorsement in the new primary state of residence within 60 days.
- Detail
- A temporary travel assignment alone is not stated to change PSOR.
Conditions & source context
When permanently moving between compact states, apply in the new home state within 60 days. A temporary assignment does not change legal residence.
Source quotation
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Source quotation
The multistate license is issued in a nurse’s PSOR, but is recognized across state lines
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
If you hold only a single-state licence
- Single-state grants no privilege
- Yes
- Upgrading
- Apply to upgrade a single-state Georgia license; Georgia must be PSOR and the applicant must meet Uniform Licensure Requirements.
Source quotation
No. An individual desiring a multistate license must submit an application to upgrade their single state license to a multistate license.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
Verify privilege
Apply from another state
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Endorsement available
Yes
Source quotation
Rule 410-3-.01 Licensure by Endorsement (RN)
rules.sos.ga.gov · State administrative code
What it is called
Licensure by endorsement
Where to apply
What you must provide
Active current RN license in another U.S. jurisdiction, with original and current license verification and the examination evidence required for the original licensure date.
- Requirement
- Current license and prior examination
Within four years before applying, document 500 practice hours, recent graduation, or completion of an approved reentry program.
- Requirement
- Recent practice, graduation, or reentry
Official nursing transcripts, criminal background check, and secure/verifiable citizenship or lawful-presence documents.
- Requirement
- Other application items
Conditions & source context
Requirements vary with the original licensure date. The practice requirement can be met through 500 hours within four years, recent graduation or Board-approved reentry.
Source quotation
Verification of current, active licensure in another US state, territory or district
rules.sos.ga.gov · State administrative code
Application fee
- Amount
- 75
- Per
- application
- Non-refundable
- Yes
Conditions & source context
Any additional payment-processing charges are unverified.
Source quotation
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $75.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
Background check
- Required
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- GAPS/Idemia
Conditions & source context
After application and GAPS registration, GAPS emails fingerprinting instructions. Fingerprint fees and state/FBI screening scope are unverified.
Source quotation
Background Check: Applicants should register with GAPS/Idemia on the same day as submitting their application for licensure.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
Nursys verification
- Required
- Yes
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
Conditions & source context
Verification is required for both current and original licenses. Nursys fees are unverified.
Renewal and education
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
Renewal interval (years)
2
Renewal competency and CE
RN
- CE option (hours)
- 30
- Requirement
- Choose one of five continuing-competency routes; 30 approved CE hours is the CE option.
Conditions & source context
Select one of the five competency routes below. First renewals of six months or less and Board-approved hardship waivers have separate provisions.
Source quotation
Applicants for licensure renewal must satisfy one of the following continuing competency requirements during the biennial renewal period:
rules.sos.ga.gov · State administrative code
State-specific requirements
During the biennial renewal period, satisfy one of five continuing-competency routes; 30 approved CE hours is one option, alongside certification, education, documented practice competency, or other Board-approved activities.
Source quotation
Applicants for licensure renewal must satisfy one of the following continuing competency requirements during the biennial renewal period:
rules.sos.ga.gov · State administrative code
Approved CE providers
Source quotation
All registered nurses will be required to complete continuing education/competency requirements as a condition of licensure renewal.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
If your licence lapses
Apply through the RN reinstatement route for a lapsed or inactive Georgia RN license. Submit the $90 nonrefundable application fee and required documents; establish recent graduation, 500 practice hours within four years, or Board-approved re-entry, plus a continuing-competency route completed within the preceding two years.
Conditions & source context
Additional application documents and fingerprint instructions depend on the applicant’s circumstances. This is the RN route.
Source quotation
If you have a lapsed or inactive license as an RN in the state of Georgia, apply for licensure by RN reinstatement.
sos.ga.gov · State Board of Nursing
License verification
Official license-verification links and the information available from each source.
Licence lookup
Conditions & source context
Current Board link opens Professional Licensee Search with Nursing and RN/LPN license types.
Ask the board of nursing
Georgia's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — sos.ga.gov.
- Jurisprudence exam. Does Georgia require a jurisprudence or ethics exam?
- Criminal-history requirements. What criminal-history requirements apply to nursing licensure in Georgia?
- Where privilege is not enough. When do I need a Georgia single-state licence instead of privilege?
- Extra state requirements. Does Georgia add anything on top of the compact?
- How long it takes. How long will Georgia take to process my application?
- Temporary licence. Can I start working in Georgia before full approval?
- What the lookup shows. What does Georgia's lookup disclose?