How to Check if a Nurse Is Licensed
Use the state board of nursing or a recognized lookup tool to confirm a nurse's license is active and matches the role you are hiring for.
Published June 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Before hiring a nurse or confirming a nurse's credentials, it is important to verify the nurse's license. A nurse license lookup can help confirm whether a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, or advanced practice nurse is currently licensed.
License verification helps protect patients, families, employers, and healthcare organizations.
Why Nurse License Verification Matters
A nurse may appear in a directory, on a resume, or on a business profile, but that does not replace official license verification. Checking a license can help confirm:
- The nurse is licensed
- The license is active
- The license type matches the role
- The license is valid in the correct state
- Public discipline information, if available
- Expiration date
- Practice privileges, where applicable
Where to Verify a Nurse License
The most common places to verify a nurse license are:
- State board of nursing websites: Each state board typically provides a license lookup tool.
- National license verification tools: Some platforms allow users to search participating boards of nursing across multiple jurisdictions.
- Employer credentialing systems: Healthcare employers may use primary-source verification as part of hiring or compliance.
What Information Do You Need?
To use a registered nurse license lookup, you may need:
- First name
- Last name
- State
- License number
- License type
- City or county, if available
If the nurse has a common name, the license number can help confirm you found the correct person.
How to Read License Lookup Results
A license lookup may show:
- Active license
- Expired license
- Inactive license
- Suspended license
- Revoked license
- Probation or disciplinary status
- Compact privilege information
- License issue and expiration dates
If you do not understand the result, contact the state board of nursing or ask the nurse to provide clarification.
Verify the Correct License Type
Different nursing titles mean different things. Common license types include:
- RN: Registered Nurse
- LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse
- LVN: Licensed Vocational Nurse
- APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- NP: Nurse Practitioner
Make sure the license type matches the services being provided.
Final Thoughts
A nurse license lookup is one of the most important steps before hiring or working with a nurse. Start with the state board of nursing or a recognized verification tool, confirm the license is active, and make sure the nurse is licensed for the state and services involved.
Important
This directory is for informational and discovery purposes only. Always verify professional licenses with official state boards. HealthcareApex does not provide medical advice, endorse providers, or guarantee the accuracy of self-submitted listings. Contact professionals directly to confirm availability, qualifications, and services. If you see incorrect information, claim or update your profile, or report it to us.
Start your search today.
Find RNs, LPNs, nurse practitioners and healthcare professionals by location, specialty or profile type.