Compact status
Nurse Licensure Compact member
ID · Internationally educated nurses
Idaho RN license requirements
A researched starting point for applying to Idaho Board of Nursing, including education review, English rules, identification requirements, background checks, and the NCLEX sequence.
Credential evaluation
Idaho policy accepts evidence including CGFNS Certification Program and Josef Silny certification and requires substantially equivalent education. Follow the current Foreign Educated Nurses instructions for the correct applicant-specific evidence.
English requirement
Applicants educated outside the U.S., territories, or Canada must demonstrate reading, writing, speaking, and listening proficiency under Board policy; Canadian English-program exceptions are separately stated.
SSN requirement
A valid U.S. SSN is required for a multistate license. The reviewed policy does not clearly state a no-SSN single-state issuance route.
Background check
Fingerprint processing instructions are published in the Board forms/resources and apply to initial licensure.
Education review
Must be substantially equivalent to Idaho minimum requirements and the applicant generally must hold good-standing authorization to practice from the relevant foreign government. Canadian applicants have a separate exception.
Application sequence
How to apply in Idaho
- 1
Apply through Idaho DOPL.
- 2
Submit the evidence required by the International Nurse Licensure Criteria policy.
- 3
Complete English evidence and fingerprint processing.
- 4
Register with Pearson VUE.
- 5
Test after Idaho eligibility and ATT.
Documents to prepare
- International education/knowledge credential
- Foreign authorization/license in good standing
- English proficiency evidence
- Fingerprints
- Translations as applicable
Verify before paying
- • Idaho’s policy offers multiple ways to demonstrate nursing knowledge; do not assume each option independently replaces the education-equivalence review.
- • Canadian applicants follow a distinct rule.
Apply through the official board
This guide helps you compare requirements; it is not the application. Check the current instructions from Idaho Board of Nursing before ordering reports or submitting documents.
Official sources reviewed
Research checked 2026-07-22. Requirements can change.
General educational information only. The state board is the authority on licensure eligibility; immigration authorization is a separate process.