Idaho Nursing License: Lookup, Renewal, CE, and Fees
Idaho is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. RNs renew every 2 years, and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Look up a Idaho nursing license
Idaho Board of Nursing (Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, DOPL) 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.
Idaho Board of Nursing (Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, DOPL) · read 2026-09-02 · a dash means the board publishes no figure
Renewal and continuing education in Idaho
Idaho renews registered nurse licenses every two years. Renewal has historically fallen on August 31 of odd-numbered years, though starting April 1, 2026, DOPL is shifting nursing licenses to a birthday-based expiration date, phasing in current license holders between 2028 and 2031 by birth year and month, with new licenses expiring on the holder's birthday at least two years after issue. The board does not state continuing education requirements or what happens to a lapsed license.
Renewing an Idaho RN license costs $70, compared with the $102 fee for an initial application. The initial fee includes a $32 fingerprint-based criminal history check, required for exam, endorsement, and reinstatement applications; LiveScan fingerprinting is accepted. NCLEX-RN exam costs and the fingerprint check are handled separately from the license fees themselves, and applications and fees remain valid for one year.
How much does a Idaho RN license cost?
Board fees exclude exam registration and fingerprinting · Idaho board fee schedule ↗ · read 2026-09-02
Moving to Idaho: endorsement and temporary permits
Idaho is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, effective January 19, 2018. This means a registered nurse who holds a multistate license issued by another compact state can practice in Idaho without applying for an Idaho license. A nurse whose home-state license is not multistate, or whose home state is not a compact member, needs to apply for licensure by endorsement instead.
To apply by endorsement, a nurse licensed in another state applies online through the DOPL Nurse Portal, must be a graduate of a state-approved nursing program, and must have passed the NCLEX-RN, the same exam Idaho requires. The application also requires fingerprints and verification of the existing license through Nursys, or a paper verification form for nurses licensed in California, Michigan, or Pennsylvania. The board does not describe a separate state law or jurisprudence exam, and Idaho does offer a temporary permit.
Education and exam for an RN license in Idaho
Idaho requires an applicant for RN licensure to be a graduate of a state-approved or accredited registered nursing education program; the rule does not distinguish between an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or diploma program. Candidates must then pass the NCLEX-RN exam, the standard the board uses for licensure. The board's rules do not describe a separate state jurisprudence exam. An applicant who fails the NCLEX-RN may retest after 45 days.
What do RNs earn in Idaho?
BLS OES May 2025 · 16,880 RNs employed in Idaho · RN salary in Idaho by city →
Nearby states
| State | Compact | Renewal | CE per cycle | Initial fee | Lookup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | Yes | Every 2 years | — | $102 | Verify |
| Montana | Yes | Every 2 years | None | $100 | Verify |
| Nevada | No | Every 2 years | 30 hours | $100 | Verify |
| Oregon | No | Every 2 years | None | $260 | Verify |
| Utah | Yes | Every 2 years | 30 hours | $60 | Verify |
| Washington | Yes | Every year | 8 hours | $138 | Verify |
| Wyoming | Yes | Every 2 years | — | $130 | Verify |
Official boards of nursing · read 2026-09-02
Sources
- Idaho Board of Nursing (Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, DOPL) ↗licensure, renewal, CE, and fee rulesmedium confidence
- dopl.idaho.gov/bon/bon-license-search
- dopl.idaho.gov/bon/bon-statutes-rules-and-guidance
- dopl.idaho.gov/bon/bon-resources
- dopl.idaho.gov/pressrelease/big-changes-are-on-the-way-stay-informed-a…
- dopl.idaho.gov/pressrelease/licensing-fees-decreased
- adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/24/243401.pdf
- Nursys ↗ national license verification
- BLS OES May 2025 Idaho RN wages and employment
Read 2026-09-02. Rules and fees change; confirm with the board before acting.