What you need before you start
- Full legal name as licensed
- State of licensure
- License number (helpful but not always required)
- Date of birth (some boards)
Verification
How to Verify a Nurse License
A step-by-step guide for verifying any U.S. nursing license through primary source verification — the standard for hiring, credentialing, and family due diligence.
Step 1 — Identify the issuing state
Nursing licenses are issued at the state level. Confirm which state the nurse is licensed in (not where they currently live or work).
Step 2 — Use the state board of nursing
Every state board publishes a free license lookup. Search by name or license number to confirm credential, status, expiration, and disciplinary history.
Step 3 — Use Nursys for compact states
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets RNs and LPNs practice across participating states under a multi-state license. Nursys QuickConfirm aggregates compact and single-state verification.
Step 4 — Check disciplinary status
State boards publish public disciplinary actions. Nursys flags discipline across participating jurisdictions. Always check before relying on a license.
Step 5 — Re-verify on renewal
Licenses expire and disciplinary status can change. For ongoing relationships, re-verify on the renewal cycle (typically every 1–2 years).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a nurse's license?
Look up the nurse on the state board of nursing where the license was issued. For RNs and LPNs in compact states, Nursys QuickConfirm provides multi-state verification in one place.
Is online verification legally valid?
Yes. Verification through the issuing state board or Nursys is primary source verification (PSV) — the standard hospitals, agencies, and registries rely on for credentialing.
What does an active license mean?
An active, unencumbered license means the nurse is currently authorized to practice in that state and has no open disciplinary action. Status fields like 'lapsed', 'suspended', or 'revoked' mean the nurse may not practice.
Is license verification free?
State board verification is free. Nursys QuickConfirm charges a small fee per nurse for permanent reports, but a free name search confirms basic status.