Compact status
Nurse Licensure Compact member
ND · Internationally educated nurses
North Dakota RN license requirements
A researched starting point for applying to North Dakota Board of Nursing, including education review, English rules, identification requirements, background checks, and the NCLEX sequence.
Credential evaluation
Official course-by-course evaluation plus transcript directly from an approved agency: TruMerit/CGFNS, Josef Silny, ERES, The Evaluation Company, IEE, or ECE.
English requirement
Evaluation must state instruction was in English with English textbooks. Otherwise provide Board-accepted English proficiency evidence; graduates of English-speaking Canadian programs are exempt.
SSN requirement
U.S. SSN is required to qualify for initial licensure; ITIN and Canadian SIN do not substitute.
Background check
North Dakota CHRC packet with Board form, fingerprint cards and Attorney General payment. Required for issuance, not test eligibility; outside checks are not accepted.
Education review
Program must include supervised clinical experience across the lifespan and be equivalent in amount and time to North Dakota-approved programs; evaluator must address Article 54-03.2 requirements.
Application sequence
How to apply in North Dakota
- 1
Submit Initial License by Exam for Internationally Educated Nurses in the Nurse Portal.
- 2
Have approved agency send the course-by-course evaluation, transcript, translation and language statement.
- 3
Register with Pearson VUE; Board may authorize testing when exam requirements are complete.
- 4
Send the CHRC packet; both passing NCLEX and CHRC results are required for full license.
Documents to prepare
- Course-by-course report and official transcript
- English translation
- Program approval and language-of-instruction evidence
- SSN
- CHRC form, fingerprint cards and payment
Verify before paying
- • CHRC is not required for ATT but is required for issuance.
- • Multistate status is automatic only for applicants meeting NLC requirements who prove North Dakota primary residence; non-NLC residents receive single-state status.
Apply through the official board
This guide helps you compare requirements; it is not the application. Check the current instructions from North Dakota 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.