How to verify a nursing license
Last verified 2026-10-17 against official board sources · Spot an error?
To verify a nursing license, search the nurse on Nursys QuickConfirm, the free national lookup run by NCSBN, or on the issuing state board's own license search. Nursys covers licensure and any public discipline reported by participating boards, including multistate practice privileges. If a board doesn't participate, use that state's own lookup.
Verify a license in 3 steps
- Open Nursys QuickConfirm or the state board's lookup below.
- Search by name or license number, and pick the right state and license type.
- Check the status, expiration date and any public discipline on the record.
Is Nursys license verification free?
Looking a nurse up is free. NCSBN calls Nursys QuickConfirm a free service, and its help center says it's free of charge to employers and the public. Nursys e-Notify, which sends license status updates and expiration reminders, costs nurses nothing. The paid service is Nurse License Verification for endorsement: $30 per license type, per board.
Source: NCSBN: license verification · Nursys help: QuickConfirm fee · Nursys help: e-Notify cost
How do I verify my license for endorsement into another state?
When you apply for licensure by endorsement, use Nursys Nurse License Verification if your original board participates. It costs $30 per license type, per board you're applying to, and NCSBN says the verification is available to the new board immediately. If your original board isn't in Nursys, ask that board how it sends verifications.
Moving to another compact state? See NLC compact states and whose CE rules apply.
Source: NCSBN: license verification
What does a nursing license lookup show?
A Nursys QuickConfirm report covers licensure and any public discipline reported by participating boards, plus multistate practice privileges in Nurse Licensure Compact states. A state board lookup shows that state's record. Use either one to confirm a license is active, and check the expiration date before you start a job or an endorsement application.
Expiration rules by state: renewal dates by state.
Source: NCSBN: license verification
How do I look up a nursing license in a specific state?
Use the state board's official license search. Florida uses the Department of Health's MQA search, California the DCA license search, New York the NYSED verification search, Pennsylvania PALS and Virginia the DHP license lookup. The table below links the state lookups we checked today. For any other state, start with Nursys QuickConfirm.
| State | Official lookup | Note |
|---|---|---|
| All participating boards | Nursys QuickConfirm | Free; run by NCSBN |
| Florida | Department of Health MQA license search | The search page notes that multistate licenses can be verified through Nursys. |
| California | DCA license search (BRN RNs and BVNPT LVNs) | |
| New York | NYSED Office of the Professions verification search | |
| Pennsylvania | PALS: Verify a license (person search) | |
| Virginia | DHP license lookup | Virginia calls it a free public information service. |
Only lookups we opened on Oct 17, 2026 are listed. For other states, use Nursys or the board source linked on your state page. We never link third-party look-alike sites.
FAQ
How do I verify a nursing license for free?
Use Nursys QuickConfirm, NCSBN's free national lookup, or the issuing state board's own license search.
How much does Nursys verification for endorsement cost?
Nursys Nurse License Verification costs $30 per license type, per board of nursing where you are applying.
Can Nursys remind me before my license expires?
Yes. Nursys e-Notify is free for nurses and sends license status updates and expiration reminders.