By Name
How to Find a Nurse by Name: License Lookup, Directories, and Search Tips
Learn how to find a nurse by name using license lookup tools, state board directories, and verified professional listings. Search by credential, location, or workplace — then confirm license status before making contact.
Find a nurse by first and last name
Type a first name, last name, or both to search the verified HealthcareApex directory. Live suggestions appear as you type.
Tips for name searches
- →Start with the last name — it is the most reliable identifier in nursing registries.
- →Try maiden names if the nurse recently married; state boards may still list the prior legal name.
- →If results are too broad, add a state or city to narrow the list.
- →Hyphenated or compound names may be stored with or without the hyphen, so try both formats.
Alternative name search tools
- →Nursys QuickConfirm — search by name across participating state boards at once.
- →NPI Registry — search by name for nurses and nurse practitioners with a National Provider Identifier.
- →State board lookup — each state board offers free name-based license verification.
- →HealthcareApex directory — search by name, specialty, and city in one query.
Search by state board of nursing
Every nurse is regulated by a state board. Use the official board lookup for the most authoritative license record.
Alabama Board of Nursing
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AKAlaska Board of Nursing
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AZArizona State Board of Nursing
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ARArkansas State Board of Nursing
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CACalifornia Board of Registered Nursing
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COColorado Board of Nursing
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CTConnecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing
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DEDelaware Board of Nursing
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FLFlorida Board of Nursing
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GAGeorgia Board of Nursing
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HIHawaii Board of Nursing
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IDIdaho Board of Nursing
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ILIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
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INIndiana State Board of Nursing
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IAIowa Board of Nursing
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KSKansas State Board of Nursing
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KYKentucky Board of Nursing
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LALouisiana State Board of Nursing
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MEMaine State Board of Nursing
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MDMaryland Board of Nursing
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MAMassachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
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MIMichigan Board of Nursing
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MNMinnesota Board of Nursing
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MSMississippi Board of Nursing
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MOMissouri State Board of Nursing
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MTMontana Board of Nursing
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NENebraska Board of Nursing
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NVNevada State Board of Nursing
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NHNew Hampshire Board of Nursing
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NJNew Jersey Board of Nursing
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NMNew Mexico Board of Nursing
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NYNew York State Board of Nursing
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NCNorth Carolina Board of Nursing
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NDNorth Dakota Board of Nursing
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OHOhio Board of Nursing
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OKOklahoma Board of Nursing
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OROregon State Board of Nursing
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PAPennsylvania State Board of Nursing
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RIRhode Island Board of Nurse Registration
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SCSouth Carolina Board of Nursing
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SDSouth Dakota Board of Nursing
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TNTennessee Board of Nursing
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TXTexas Board of Nursing
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UTUtah Board of Nursing
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VTVermont State Board of Nursing
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VAVirginia Board of Nursing
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WAWashington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
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WVWest Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses
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WIWisconsin Board of Nursing
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WYWyoming State Board of Nursing
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DCDC Board of Nursing
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About state board lookups
State boards of nursing maintain the primary, authoritative record for every licensed nurse in their jurisdiction. These records include license type, status, issue and expiration dates, and any public disciplinary actions. Most state boards offer a free online verification tool. Nursys QuickConfirm aggregates data from participating states, but not every state participates — so checking the state board directly is always the safest option when you need a definitive answer.
Search by RN, LPN, NP, or CNA credential
Narrow your search to the license type that matches the level of care you need.
Registered Nurses (RN)
State-licensed RNs across acute, ambulatory, and community care.
Browse RN directory →LPNLicensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)
Practical nurses in long-term care, clinics, and home health.
Browse LPN directory →NPNurse Practitioners (NP)
Board-certified advanced practice nurses with prescriptive authority.
Browse NP directory →CNACertified Nursing Assistants (CNA)
Nursing assistants and aides in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care.
Browse CNA directory →What each credential means
- RN — Registered Nurse
- Graduated from an accredited nursing program, passed the NCLEX-RN, and holds a state license to practice clinical nursing care.
- LPN / LVN — Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse
- Completed a practical nursing program, passed the NCLEX-PN, and provides basic nursing care under RN or physician supervision.
- NP — Nurse Practitioner
- Holds a graduate nursing degree (MSN or DNP), passed a national board exam, and has prescriptive authority in most states.
- CNA — Certified Nursing Assistant
- Completed a state-approved training program, passed a competency exam, and provides direct patient care under RN or LPN supervision.
Why credential matters
The right credential depends on the care you need. For routine home health or long-term care, an LPN or CNA may be appropriate. For complex disease management, medication management, or independent diagnosis, look for an NP or APRN. For hospital bedside care, an RN is standard. Always verify the credential matches the scope of practice required for your situation.
Tip: A nurse may hold multiple credentials. An RN may also be a CCM (Certified Case Manager), or an NP may also hold a CCRN (Critical Care certification). Check the full credential list on the profile page.
Search by city or workplace
Narrow your search to a specific city, metro area, hospital, or home health agency.
Top cities
Search by workplace
If you know the nurse works at a specific hospital, clinic, or home health agency, you can search by employer on the city directory pages. Each city page lists professionals by practice setting — hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and in-home care agencies.
What information about a nurse may be public
State licensing boards and national registries publish certain professional details. Here is what you can typically find.
Where public nurse information comes from
Public nurse data originates from three primary sources: state boards of nursing (license issuance and discipline), the Nursys national database (license status across states), and the NPI Registry (federally assigned National Provider Identifier for billing and prescribing). Some nurses also voluntarily publish profiles on HealthcareApex, which may include additional practice details, photos, and service areas. All voluntarily shared information is clearly labeled as user-submitted.
What information may not be available
Nurse privacy is protected by state and federal law. Certain details are never published without explicit consent.
Why some information is restricted
State privacy laws, HIPAA, and board of nursing regulations limit what can be shared publicly. Home addresses, personal phone numbers, and employment details are considered personally identifiable information (PII) and are not released by licensing boards. Even employer information is sometimes withheld unless the nurse voluntarily discloses it on a professional profile.
How nurses can share more
Nurses who want to be found by patients, families, or employers can create a verified profile on HealthcareApex. This allows them to voluntarily share a practice address, phone number, service areas, languages spoken, and accepted insurance — all under their own control and with the ability to update or remove information at any time.
Submit your profile →How to verify a nurse's license status
Follow these five steps to confirm a nurse is licensed, active, and in good standing before you hire or receive care.
Use Nursys for multi-state lookup
Nursys QuickConfirm covers most participating U.S. jurisdictions. Enter the nurse's name or license number to see license status, expiration, and disciplinary history across multiple states in one search.
Open Nursys →Check the state board directly
For states not covered by Nursys, visit the state board of nursing website directly. Most boards offer a free online license verification tool using name or license number.
Nurse License Lookup →Verify specialty certifications
Board-certified NPs and specialty nurses hold additional credentials (FNP-BC, CCRN, CCM, etc.). Verify these through the issuing certification body such as ANCC, AANPCB, AACN, or CCMC.
Cross-check with the employer
If the nurse lists a practice or hospital, call the employer's human resources or credentialing office to confirm current employment and privileges.
Common questions about finding nurses by name
Quick answers to the most frequent questions patients, families, and employers ask.
- Can I search for a specific nurse by name?
- Yes. Enter a first or last name in the search box to find verified nurses in the HealthcareApex directory. You can narrow results by state, city, and specialty.
- How do I verify a nurse's license?
- Use the Nurse License Lookup tool to verify any RN, LPN, or APRN license directly with the issuing state board of nursing or through Nursys. You can also check certification status with the ANCC, AANPCB, or other specialty boards.
- What information about a nurse is public?
- Publicly available information typically includes full name, license number, license type, license status, issue and expiration dates, and any public disciplinary actions. Contact details and employer information are usually private unless the nurse opts to share them.
- How do I find a nurse by employer or workplace?
- Use the city or workplace filters on each directory page, or search the nurse's name combined with the city or hospital name. Some state boards also list employer information on public license records.
- Are nurse directory listings free to browse?
- Yes — the entire HealthcareApex directory is free for patients, families, and employers. Verified nurses and agencies can claim their listings at no cost.
- Is a nurse directory the same as a state license lookup?
- No. A nurse directory like HealthcareApex is a searchable index of professional profiles — built for finding a nurse by name, specialty, or location. A state license lookup (or Nursys) is the official, legally authoritative record of a nurse's license status. Always confirm active licensure through the state board or Nursys before making a hiring or care decision — the directory listing itself is not a substitute for that verification.