Licensing authority
Idaho Board of Nursing
Source quotation
Board of Nursing Welcome to the Board of Nursing
dopl.idaho.gov · State Board of Nursing
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
ID
Idaho
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
Multistate license recognizedID
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Idaho has implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN with an active multistate license from their primary state of residence may practice here without an Idaho license. The facility and contract still set their own credentialing requirements.
Supporting evidence and conditions
Idaho has implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN with an active multistate license from their primary state of residence may practice here without an Idaho license. The facility and contract still set their own credentialing requirements.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · verified 15 Oct 2026
- Law enacted
- Yes enacted
- In force
- Yes since 19 Jan 2018
- 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
Conditions & source context
Exact href linked from the Board page.
Contact
- Phone
- 208-334-3233
Governing law
IDAPA 24.34.01, Rules of the Idaho Board of Nursing
Conditions & source context
The captured current administrative rule identifies the governing Board rules; the Idaho Code index does not establish this administrative-rule citation.
Source quotation
24.34.01 – Rules of the Idaho Board of Nursing
files.dfm.idaho.gov · State administrative code
License requirements
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
Licence types
RN
- State title
- Registered Nurse
LPN
- State title
- Practical Nurse (PN)
Conditions & source context
Current Board fee table identifies Registered Nurse (RN) and Practical Nurse (PN) titles. Multistate issuance by tier is not encoded from the fee table.
Source quotation
Board of Nursing License Fees: Board of Nursing License Fees Medication Assistant – Certified (MA-C) Practical Nurse (PN) Registered Nurse (RN) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Initial Application $100 N/A N/A $102* International Application N/A $102* $102* N/A License by Exam Application N/A $102* $102* N/A License by Endorsement Application N/A $102* $102* N/A License by Reinstatement Application N/A $102* $102* $102* License Renewal Application $35 $70 $70 $70 Temporary License N/A $25 $25 $25 *Denotes that the fingerprint processing fee of $32 is included.
dopl.idaho.gov · State Board of Nursing
Multistate licences issued
Yes
Source quotation
A. Idaho residents can learn more and apply for a Compact License by visiting https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm .
dopl.idaho.gov · State Board of Nursing
Licence term
- Years
- 2
- Expires on
- The same date for everyone
- Fixed date
- August 31; RN odd-numbered years, PN even-numbered years
Source quotation
Practical Nurse (PN) August 31st (Even Years) Registered Nurse (RN) August 31st (Odd Years)
dopl.idaho.gov · State Board of Nursing
NCLEX required to get licensed
Yes
Conditions & source context
Rule contains a legacy State Board Test Pool exam alternative; NCLEX is not represented as the only possible examination.
Source quotation
Applicants will successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurse licensure or for practical nurse licensure, as applied for and approved. In lieu of the NCLEX, the Board may accept documentation that the applicant has taken and successfully passed the State Board Test Pool examination. (3-28-23) 06. Qualifications for Licensure by Endorsement. (3-28-23) a. An applicant for Idaho licensure by interstate endorsement must: (3-28-23)
files.dfm.idaho.gov · State administrative code
Working across state lines
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
NLC law enacted
- Status
- Yes
Conditions & source context
NCSBN's NLC implementation table (rev. Aug 2026) lists Idaho as implemented on Jan. 19, 2018.
NLC law in force
- Status
- Yes
- Effective
- 2018-01-19
Conditions & source context
NCSBN's NLC implementation table (rev. Aug 2026) lists Idaho as implemented on Jan. 19, 2018.
Issuing multistate licences
- Status
- Yes
- Connected
19 Jan 2018
Conditions & source context
Implementation date from NLC map; it is not used as Idaho statutory effective date.
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Conditions & source context
Idaho has implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN with an active multistate license from their primary state of residence may practice here without an Idaho license. The facility and contract still set their own credentialing requirements.
Verify privilege
Conditions & source context
Exact Board link target.
Apply from another state
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Endorsement available
Yes
Source quotation
Qualifications for Licensure by Endorsement.
files.dfm.idaho.gov · State administrative code
What it is called
Licensure by interstate endorsement
Source quotation
An applicant for Idaho licensure by interstate endorsement must:
files.dfm.idaho.gov · State administrative code
Where to apply
Conditions & source context
Exact Board-page href.
What you must provide
Education
- Detail
- Graduate of a state approved/accredited practical or registered nursing education program.
Examination
- Detail
- Passed the same licensing examination administered in Idaho.
Active license
- Detail
- Hold a current, valid, unrestricted license in another nursing jurisdiction.
Conditions & source context
Quote supports the pathway and active-license requirement; see rule §100.06 for education and exam.
Source quotation
License from Another Nursing Jurisdiction.
files.dfm.idaho.gov · State administrative code
Application fee
- Amount
- 102
- Per
- application
- Also payable
Fingerprint processing (included)
- Amount
- 32
Conditions & source context
RN and PN endorsement fees; refundability not published.
Source quotation
Board of Nursing License Fees: Board of Nursing License Fees Medication Assistant – Certified (MA-C) Practical Nurse (PN) Registered Nurse (RN) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Initial Application $100 N/A N/A $102* International Application N/A $102* $102* N/A License by Exam Application N/A $102* $102* N/A License by Endorsement Application N/A $102* $102* N/A License by Reinstatement Application N/A $102* $102* $102* License Renewal Application $35 $70 $70 $70 Temporary License N/A $25 $25 $25 *Denotes that the fingerprint processing fee of $32 is included.
dopl.idaho.gov · State Board of Nursing
Background check
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Fee
- 32
- From out of state
- Have prints collected on FD-258 or at a LiveScan location; enter Board ORI ID920220Z and reason IDC-54-1401 Nursing License exactly.
Conditions & source context
Captured instructions establish fingerprint collection and exact ORI/reason. Board fee table lists a $32 fingerprint processing fee included in listed license fees; full criminal-check scope and total cost are unknown.
Source quotation
Have fingerprints collected on FD-258 card or processed at a Livescan location. You MUST make sure that the correct ORI and Reason Fingerprinted are entered into the ORI field and Reason Fingerprinted on the fingerprint card*. Where to Get Fingerprinted: • Contact your local law enforcement o
dopl.idaho.gov · State Board of Nursing
Temporary licence
- Available
- Yes
- Type
- Temporary license by interstate endorsement
- Maximum days
- 90
- Conditions
- May be issued on proof of current good-standing licensure in another jurisdiction and compliance with Rule 100.07; extension is at Board discretion. Separate $25 temporary-license fee.
Conditions & source context
The 90-day period is a maximum and extension is discretionary. The Board fee table lists a separate $25 temporary-license fee, not included in the endorsement fee.
Source quotation
Temporary licenses are issued for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days, and may be extended, at the discretion of the Board.
files.dfm.idaho.gov · State administrative code
Renewal and education
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
Renewal interval (years)
2
Source quotation
Practical Nurse (PN) August 31st (Even Years) Registered Nurse (RN) August 31st (Odd Years)
dopl.idaho.gov · State Board of Nursing
State-specific requirements
- Rn lpn
- Submit the completed renewal application and prescribed renewal fee by August 31 of the appropriate renewal year.
- Scope
- Renewal application and deadline rule only; RN/PN continuing-competence or CE requirements remain unverified.
Conditions & source context
IDAPA 24.34.01, Section 100.02(c), printed page 6. The Board-linked current rule endpoint still serves a document with clause dates March 28, 2023. No zero-CE claim or exhaustive renewal checklist is inferred.
Source quotation
LPN, RN, and APRN License Renewal. The original completed renewal application and renewal fee as prescribed in Section 400 of these rules, are submitted to the Board and dated not later than August 31 of the appropriate renewal year. All licenses are renewed as prescribed in Section 54-1411, Idaho Code.
files.dfm.idaho.gov · State administrative code
If your licence lapses
- Pathway
- For nonpayment lapse: submit Idaho Code §54-1411(3) items, obtain a current fingerprint-based criminal history check under §54-1401(3), and pay the reinstatement fee.
- Fee
- 102
Conditions & source context
Fee table lists $102 RN/PN reinstatement.
Source quotation
A person whose license has lapsed for failure to pay the renewal fee by the specified date may apply for reinstatement by submitting the items set out in Section 54-1411(3), Idaho Code and a current fingerprint-based criminal history check as set forth in Section 54-1401(3), Idaho Code, and paying the fee under Rule 400.02
files.dfm.idaho.gov · State administrative code
License verification
Official license-verification links and the information available from each source.
Licence lookup
Conditions & source context
Exact Board-page href.
Ask the board of nursing
Idaho's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — dopl.idaho.gov.
- Jurisprudence exam. Does Idaho require a jurisprudence or ethics exam?
- Criminal-history requirements. What criminal-history requirements apply to nursing licensure in Idaho?
- Conditions for privilege. What do I have to satisfy for multistate privilege to apply in Idaho?
- Home-state residence rule. How does where I legally live affect my multistate privilege in Idaho?
- Where privilege is not enough. When do I need a Idaho single-state licence instead of privilege?
- If you hold only a single-state licence. I hold a single-state licence — does the NLC do anything for me in Idaho?
- Extra state requirements. Does Idaho add anything on top of the compact?
- How long it takes. How long will Idaho take to process my application?
- Nursys verification. Do I have to route verification through Nursys for Idaho?
- Renewal competency and CE. Which continuing-education or competency requirements apply in Idaho?
- Approved CE providers. Where do I find CE that Idaho will accept?
Where the sources disagree or go quiet
Worth asking about directly.
What current CE or continuing-competence requirements apply to Idaho RN and PN renewal?
Does endorsement require both state and FBI checks, and what is the exact screening scope?
What is Idaho compact enactment history and whether a delayed implementation clause exists?