Compact status
Nurse Licensure Compact member
NH · Internationally educated nurses
New Hampshire RN license requirements
A researched starting point for applying to New Hampshire Board of Nursing, including education review, English rules, identification requirements, background checks, and the NCLEX sequence.
Credential evaluation
All foreign-educated nurses must provide the nationally accepted qualifying certificate/credential evidence specified in the foreign RN/LPN exam process.
English requirement
Required for foreign-educated applicants as part of the qualifying credentials described in the process document.
SSN requirement
A U.S. SSN is required to apply; the Board’s foreign-applicant FAQ says there are no exceptions.
Background check
Complete the New Hampshire criminal background check/fingerprinting required by the application packet.
Education review
The Board reviews foreign education through the required qualifying credential and may require remediation if equivalency is not shown.
Application sequence
How to apply in New Hampshire
- 1
Use License by Exam and submit the foreign-graduate application.
- 2
Submit the required qualifying credential and English proof.
- 3
Complete fingerprint/background check.
- 4
Register with Pearson VUE; await Board approval and ATT.
Documents to prepare
- Qualifying certificate/credential report
- English evidence
- SSN
- Fingerprint/background-check submission
- Foreign license verification if applicable
Verify before paying
- • Foreign nurses licensed abroad still use New Hampshire’s License by Exam path when they have not passed NCLEX.
- • Five total NCLEX attempts are allowed within three years; remediation is required after three failures.
- • Multistate status requires New Hampshire primary residence.
Apply through the official board
This guide helps you compare requirements; it is not the application. Check the current instructions from New Hampshire 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.