Licensing authority
Virginia Board of Nursing
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
VA
Virginia
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
Multistate license recognizedVA
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Holds only for a nurse whose PSOR is a compact state, holding an unrestricted multistate license and practicing within Virginia scope; privilege holders must follow the laws of the state where the patient is located. Not personal advice.
Supporting evidence and conditions
Holds only for a nurse whose PSOR is a compact state, holding an unrestricted multistate license and practicing within Virginia scope; privilege holders must follow the laws of the state where the patient is located. Not personal advice.
State Board of Nursing · dhp.virginia.gov · verified 9 Oct 2026
- Law enacted
- Yes 2016 Acts of Assembly, Chapter 108; Code of Virginia, Title 54.1, Chapter 30, Article 6.1
- In force
- Yes date not published
- 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
Conditions & source context
Fresh official HTTPS Board homepage directly identifies the Board. Replaces PDF address with different path case; preserves current HTTPS value.
Source quotation
The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Licensing portal
Source quotation
Periodically log into your DHP license application portal: https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/Login.aspx to monitor progress of your application and remember "unchecked" items may have been received but are pending review.
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Contact
- Phone
- (804) 367-4515
- Address
- 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Perimeter Center, Henrico, Virginia 23233
Source quotation
9960 Mayland Drive Suite 300 Perimeter Center Henrico, Virginia 23233 (804) 367-4515 www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/nursing
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Governing law
Code of Virginia Title 54.1, Chapter 30; regulations 18VAC90-19
Conditions & source context
Regulation series confirmed; the Nurse Practice Act chapter is the standard Title 54.1 Chapter 30 home and the NLC article sits at 54.1-3040.1 et seq. Full practice-act citation sweep unverified.
Source quotation
18VAC90-19-160. Continued competency requirements for renewal of an active license.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
License requirements
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
Licence types
RN
- State title
- Registered Nurse
LPN
- State title
- Licensed Practical Nurse
Conditions & source context
RN/LPN confirmed. Multistate issuance is covered under compact, not here.
Source quotation
We regulate Nurses (RN and LPN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses including Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Midwives, Nurse Aides, Advanced Certified Nurse Aides, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Medication Aides and Massage Therapists.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Multistate licences issued
Yes
Conditions & source context
Applies to applicants meeting the Uniform Licensure Requirements; others may receive a Virginia single-state license.
Source quotation
The NLC authorizes Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses ( licensed ) and residing in a compact state to practice in other compact states without the necessity of obtaining an additional license.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Licence term
- Years
- 2
Conditions & source context
Biennial renewal is confirmed; the precise expiration convention is unverified.
Source quotation
License Type | Application | Renewal (Biennial) | Reinstatement
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
NCLEX required to get licensed
Yes
Conditions & source context
Applies to licensure by examination; endorsement relies on out-of-state licensure plus verification.
Source quotation
If you are a graduate from an RN state approved nursing education program that prepared you to be a nurse and need to take the NCLEX (state board) , you will need to complete the application for licensure by examination.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Working across state lines
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
NLC law enacted
- Status
- Yes
- Citation
- 2016 Acts of Assembly, Chapter 108; Code of Virginia, Title 54.1, Chapter 30, Article 6.1
Conditions & source context
Current Virginia law contains the Nurse Licensure Compact; its statutory history cites 2016, c. 108. The Board’s January 19, 2018 implementation date is recorded separately.
NLC law in force
- Status
- Yes
Conditions & source context
The Board confirms implementation; the separate statutory effective-date trigger is unverified.
Source quotation
Virginia implemented enhancements to the Nurse Licensure Compact on January 19, 2018.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Issuing multistate licences
- Status
- Yes
- Connected
19 Jan 2018
Source quotation
Virginia implemented enhancements to the Nurse Licensure Compact on January 19, 2018.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Conditions for privilege
- Hold a current RN or LPN multistate license issued by your compact primary state of residence.
Conditions & source context
Virginia multistate-license applicants must meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements. Fingerprints and license verification for a new Virginia application are separate from practicing under an existing compact privilege.
Source quotation
The NLC authorizes Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses ( licensed ) and residing in a compact state to practice in other compact states without the necessity of obtaining an additional license.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Home-state residence rule
- Keys off home-state residence
- Yes
- If your home state changes
- new home-state license application
- Detail
- Compact-state residents must apply in their PSOR; Virginia licensees who move must reapply in the new home state.
Conditions & source context
Relocation rule from the Board NLC letter - nurses previously grandfathered must act if they move to another state; exact reapplication window unverified.
Source quotation
If your primary state of residence (PSOR) is a compact state, you must apply for licensure in your PSOR (compact state).
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Conditions & source context
Holds only for a nurse whose PSOR is a compact state, holding an unrestricted multistate license and practicing within Virginia scope; privilege holders must follow the laws of the state where the patient is located. Not personal advice.
Source quotation
The NLC authorizes Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses ( licensed ) and residing in a compact state to practice in other compact states without the necessity of obtaining an additional license.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Verify privilege
Conditions & source context
Link label on the RN application page; href observed as the lookup URL. Whether it surfaces a multistate-privilege indicator is unverified.
Apply from another state
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Endorsement available
Yes
What it is called
Licensure as a Registered Nurse by Endorsement
Conditions & source context
Parallel LPN endorsement checklist shares the same instructions PDF.
Source quotation
I am licensed in another state and want to apply for a Virginia RN license.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Where to apply
Conditions & source context
Paper applications must include the instruction checklist; same portal monitors progress.
Source quotation
Periodically log into your DHP license application portal: https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/Login.aspx to monitor progress of your application and remember "unchecked" items may have been received but are pending review.
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
What you must provide
Completed application with fee (online card payment or mailed check/money order to Treasurer of Virginia)
- Detail
- Application not reviewed until payment posts; fees nonrefundable.
Fingerprint-based criminal background check via Fieldprint VA after applying
- Detail
- Required by Virginia Code 54.1-3005.1.
License verification via Nursys ($30) or alternate route for non-participating states
- Detail
- Exam-state verification only by email if unavailable in Nursys.
Clinical-hours evidence only if RN program had under 500 clinical hours (400 for LPN)
- Detail
- Requires 960 hours of clinical practice plus an active unencumbered license in another US jurisdiction.
Credential evaluation for internationally educated applicants previously licensed in the US (except Canada)
- Detail
- Board-approved credential agency.
Conditions & source context
Clinical-hour and international-education requirements apply only to the applicant groups described above.
Source quotation
Complete fingerprint-based Criminal Background Check (CBC): required by Virginia Code § 54.1-3005.1: Register for fingerprinting exclusively through Fieldprint Va. You may not register for fingerprinting until you apply to the Board.
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Application fee
- Per
- application
- Non-refundable
- Yes
- By license
RN
- Amount
- 190
LPN
- Amount
- 170
Conditions & source context
Nonrefundable application fees: RN $190 or LPN $170. Fingerprinting and license verification cost extra.
Source quotation
Registered Nurse (RN)(exam or endorsement) | $190 | $140 Plus $50 if late renewal | $225 ($300 after suspension or revocation)
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
How long it takes
- Typical
- 30
- Basis
- published_by_state
- Unit
- business days
Conditions & source context
Published expectation: 30 business days after application and fee receipt. This is not a guaranteed issuance date.
Source quotation
License application processing times are approximately 30 business days to complete (e.g. starts from the date the application fee posts on checklist until licensure).
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Background check
- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- Fieldprint
- Fee
- 35.95
- From out of state
- Outside-Virginia applicants pay $38.95, register through Fieldprint VA after applying.
Conditions & source context
Scope: fingerprint-based checks run through both FBI and state criminal databases; prints collected at Fieldprint sites and sent to Virginia State Police. Required for every initial RN/LPN application including endorsement; boards cannot share CBC results. Price basis: board FAQ, retrieved 2026-10-09; fee_usd is the inside-Virginia price.
Source quotation
The cost is $35.95 for Inside Virginia applicants and $38.95 for Outside Virginia applicants and paid directly to Fieldprint.
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Temporary licence
- Available
- Yes
- Options
Authorization to Practice letter
- Duration (days)
- 30
- Eligibility
- endorsement applicants without a current multistate-privilege license and with no conviction or discipline history
single-state temporary license without SSN
- Duration (days)
- 90
- Eligibility
- applicants otherwise meeting requirements but lacking a social security number
Conditions & source context
ATP initially effective 30 days; request after 10 business days, license expected within 30 business days. SSN-less temporary license active 90 days, converts on SSN plus completed CBC. ATP unavailable on the temporary-to-permanent path.
Source quotation
if you intend to work in Virginia pending licensure and you do not have a current license issued with multi-state privilege you may submit a written request for a letter from the Board for authorization to practice.
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Nursys verification
- Required
- No
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
- Fee
- 30
Conditions & source context
Use Nursys for participating original licensing boards. Nonparticipating boards use the Board-approved alternate verification route.
Source quotation
to https://www.nursys.com/NLV/NLVTerms.aspx to request the verification of licensure ($30 fee).
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Renewal and education
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
Renewal interval (years)
2
Conditions & source context
Renewal fees are RN $140 or LPN $120. Late charges are separate.
Source quotation
License Type | Application | Renewal (Biennial) | Reinstatement
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
Renewal competency and CE
RN
- Requirement
- one of nine continued-competency activities per renewal cycle
- Example options
- 30 contact hours of nursing-relevant workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses
- 15 contact hours plus 640 hours of active practice
- 3 credit hours of post-licensure academic education
LPN
- Requirement
- one of nine continued-competency activities per renewal cycle
- Example options
- 30 contact hours of nursing-relevant workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses
- 15 contact hours plus 640 hours of active practice
- 3 credit hours of post-licensure academic education
Conditions & source context
Choose one qualifying learning activity. Contact-hour options include 30 hours, or 15 hours plus 640 hours of practice.
Source quotation
18VAC90-19-160. Continued competency requirements for renewal of an active license. A. To renew an active nursing license, a licensee shall complete at least one of the following learning activities or courses: 1. Current specialty certification by a national certifying organization, as defined in 18VAC90-19-10 ; 2. Completion of a minimum of three credit hours of post-licensure academic education relevant to nursing practice, offered by a regionally accredited college or university;
dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
If your licence lapses
- Pathway
- A Virginia RN/LPN license expired for more than two years requires reinstatement.
- By license
RN
- Fee
- 225
LPN
- Fee
- 200
- Suspension or revocation fee usd
- 300
Conditions & source context
Published reinstatement fees are RN $225 and LPN $200, or $300 after suspension or revocation. Late-renewal fees are separate.
Source quotation
your Virginia license has been expired for more than two years, you must apply in Virginia for reinstatement.
license.dhp.virginia.gov · State Board of Nursing
License verification
Official license-verification links and the information available from each source.
Licence lookup
Conditions & source context
Observed href behind the License Lookup label. Returned fields unverified.
Ask the board of nursing
Virginia's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — dhp.virginia.gov.
- Jurisprudence exam. Does Virginia require a jurisprudence or ethics exam?
- Criminal-history requirements. What criminal-history requirements apply to nursing licensure in Virginia?
Where the sources disagree or go quiet
Worth asking about directly.
Do Virginia RN/LPN licenses expire on an anniversary date or a fixed biennial date?
What is the complete current Uniform Licensure Requirement list applied to Virginia multistate applicants?
What official transcript rules apply to Virginia RN/LPN endorsement applicants?