License Lookup
Nurse license lookup
Verify any U.S. nursing license against its issuing state board. Use Nursys for participating jurisdictions or link directly to the board where the license was issued.
Pick the issuing state
Nursing licenses are issued and disciplined at the state level. Select the state below and we'll send you to the right verification portal.
How to verify a nurse license
- 1. Collect identifiers. Full legal name, license number if available, and the state the license was issued in.
- 2. Use the issuing board. Each state board of nursing maintains its own license lookup. We link directly to every one above.
- 3. Use Nursys for compact states. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets RNs and LPNs practice across participating states under one multi-state license. Nursys aggregates these in real time.
- 4. Confirm disciplinary status. State boards publish public disciplinary records. Always check before relying on a license.
- 5. Re-verify periodically. Licenses expire and disciplinary status can change. For ongoing relationships, re-verify on renewal cycles.
Important
This directory cross-checks nurse listings against state boards, but legally binding primary source verification must come from the issuing board (or Nursys for participating states).
Frequently asked questions
What is primary source verification?
Primary source verification (PSV) means confirming a nurse's license directly with the state board of nursing that issued it — not through a third-party copy. PSV is the legal standard for credentialing decisions.
Is Nursys the same as a state board?
Nursys is the national nurse licensure database operated by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It aggregates real-time data from participating state boards. For non-participating states (e.g., California, New York), use the state board directly.
Can I look up disciplinary actions?
Yes. State boards publish public disciplinary records; Nursys flags discipline across participating jurisdictions. Always confirm with the issuing board before relying on a license.
Is this directory a substitute for license verification?
No. Our nurse profiles cross-check active licensure on a rolling schedule, but legally binding verification must come from the state board (or Nursys for participating states).