Arizona Nursing License: Lookup, Renewal, CE, and Fees
Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. RNs renew every 4 years with no continuing education hours required, and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Look up a Arizona nursing license
Arizona State Board of Nursing sends license verification to Nursys, the national database run by NCSBN. Quick Confirm is free and shows license status, expiry date, and any public discipline.
Arizona State Board of Nursing · read 2026-09-02 · a dash means the board publishes no figure
Renewal and continuing education in Arizona
Arizona RN licenses renew every four years, with the license due by April 1 and the renewal window opening six months before that date. Arizona does not require continuing education hours for renewal. A license that lapses receives a 30-day grace period; after that, a nurse who keeps working under an expired license faces a late fee of $50 per month, up to $200.
Renewal costs $160, compared with $300 for an initial Arizona RN license. The renewal fee does not include the NCLEX-RN exam fee or the $50 fingerprint-based criminal background check fee that Arizona requires of applicants; the board treats those as separate costs tied to initial licensure rather than to renewal itself.
How much does a Arizona RN license cost?
Board fees exclude exam registration and fingerprinting · Arizona board fee schedule ↗ · read 2026-09-02
Moving to Arizona: endorsement and temporary permits
Arizona is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, having joined the original compact in 2002 and adopted the enhanced compact on January 19, 2018. A registered nurse who holds a multistate license from another compact state and makes Arizona their primary residence can practice in Arizona under that license without a new application. A nurse without a qualifying multistate license, including one moving from a non-compact state, must apply through endorsement.
Endorsement applicants apply through the Arizona Nurse Portal, paying $150 plus a $50 fingerprint-based background check, and submit fingerprints along with verification from their original state of licensure, often through Nursys. Applicants must show at least 960 hours of practice in the past 5 years and upload citizenship or lawful-presence documents. A temporary permit is available while the application is pending. Arizona lists no state jurisprudence exam, though foreign-educated nurses must submit an education report and meet English proficiency standards unless exempt.
Education and exam for an RN license in Arizona
Arizona requires RN applicants to complete a board-approved nursing program, whether a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree program, and to pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Graduates of in-state programs submit an Affidavit of Graduation, while out-of-state graduates have their transcripts sent directly to the board. New graduates must become licensed within 2 years of graduation or complete a refresher course after passing the NCLEX-RN.
What do RNs earn in Arizona?
BLS OES May 2025 · 73,150 RNs employed in Arizona · RN salary in Arizona by city →
Nearby states
| State | Compact | Renewal | CE per cycle | Initial fee | Lookup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes | Every 4 years | None | $300 | Verify |
| California | No | Every 2 years | 30 hours | $300 | Verify |
| Nevada | No | Every 2 years | 30 hours | $100 | Verify |
| New Mexico | Yes | Every 2 years | 30 hours | $150 | Verify |
| Utah | Yes | Every 2 years | 30 hours | $60 | Verify |
Official boards of nursing · read 2026-09-02
Sources
- Arizona State Board of Nursing ↗licensure, renewal, CE, and fee ruleshigh confidence
- azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/agency-fees
- azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/renew-your-license
- azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/apply-license
- azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/fingerprints
- azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/primary-source-verification
- azbn.gov/laws-rules/nurse-licensure-compact
- Nursys ↗ national license verification
- BLS OES May 2025 Arizona RN wages and employment
Read 2026-09-02. Rules and fees change; confirm with the board before acting.