How to Endorse Your RN License to New York

Because New York is not a member of the National Licensure Compact Agreement, obtaining a registered nursing license by endorsement requires that all the criteria established by the New York State Board of Nursing be met. Further, whether the state of your current license is a member of Linksys determines whether you will request your license verification by mail or via the Internet. Two separate certificates of continuing education must also be completed via the Internet. Application for licensure to New York state is more complicated than endorsement applications to other states.

Navigate to the New York State Board of Nursing site and download the PDF Nursing License Application Packet. Print the PDF file containing multiple documents (see links in the Resources section).

Locate the Nurse Applicant Checklist to help you keep up with the many pieces of paperwork this process will require. Set this checklist aside where you can easily refer to it. Determine whether your current state of licensure is a participating member of Linksys by checking the website found in the Resources section. New York state is a member of Linksys.

Verify your current license through Linksys if your current state is a member. Pay for this service by credit or debit card. The fee for this service is $30 to $60 depending on your license type and the number of jurisdictions you are requesting receive this information. Navigate to to the Linksys verification site at the address noted in Resources and click on the Nurse License Verification button to the right. Follow the computer prompts to request that your current state verify your licensure to New York State. Verify your current license by mail if your current state is not a member of Linksys. Complete the two-page Verification of Other Professional Licensure/Certification form (Form 3). Complete Page 1 of the form and mail both pages to your current State Board of Nursing.

Complete Page 1 of Form 2, the two-page Certification of Professional Education and send both pages to the school of nursing that awarded your nursing degree.

Complete the four-page Form 1 Application for Licensure in ink, providing all information requested. Do not sign the final Section 26 on Page 4.

Visit a notary public with the completed license application, your articles of identification and the required fee. Present your ID documents and sign the application when directed by and in the presence of the notary.

Complete the mandated training on child abuse. This course can be completed online. A certification of your completion of this course must either be sent electronically to New York State or a printed company must accompany your application for endorsement. The fee for this course depends upon the chosen provider. A list of approved providers for this training can be found in Resources.

Complete the mandated training on infection control. This course can be completed online. A certification of your completion of this course must either be sent electronically to New York State or a printed company must accompany your application for endorsement. The fee for this course depends upon the chosen provider. A list of approved providers for this training can be found in Resources.

Complete your portion of the three-page Form 5, Application for Limited Permit, if appropriate. This permit can be completed only if you have an employer who is willing to endorse you and supervise your practice until your permanent license arrives. Your employer and supervisor will complete pages 2 and 3. Return this completed document to the address printed on the form.

Mail Form 1, the Application for Licensure and Form 5; the Application for a Limited Permit, if applicable; the license fee of $143; and the limited permit fee of $35 to the address in bold font at the very bottom of Page Two.

Tips

  • Submit your application for licensure allowing time for the verifying organizations to send the required independent verifications to the Office of the Professions. This may take eight weeks or more.

Warnings

  • Once you are licensed to practice nursing in New York state, you are legally required to notify the Education Department's Division of Professional Services of any change in your mailing address or name within 30 days. Per the board, "failure to do so may be considered professional misconduct." It may also delay license renewal, resulting in late fees.