How to Put Your Nursing License on a Resume (RN, LPN, BSN)

Your nursing license is one of the most important pieces of information on your resume. It proves you're legally authorized to practice, and ATS systems at hospitals actively scan for license details. Yet many nurses either leave it off entirely or format it incorrectly.

This guide shows you exactly where and how to list your nursing license on your resume — whether you hold a single-state RN, LPN, or a multi-state compact license.

Where to Put Your Nursing License on a Resume

Your nursing license should appear in two places on your resume:

1. Header / Contact Section

Include your license right below your name and contact information. This ensures it's one of the first things both ATS systems and hiring managers see.

Sarah Johnson, BSN, RN
(555) 123-4567 | sarah.johnson.rn@email.com | Austin, TX
RN License #789012 — Texas (Active)

2. Certifications / Licensure Section

List your license again with full details in your certifications section, alongside BLS, ACLS, and other credentials.

Licensure & Certifications
• Registered Nurse (RN) — Texas Board of Nursing, License #789012 (Active)
• BLS — American Heart Association (Exp. March 2027)
• ACLS — American Heart Association (Exp. March 2027)

How to Format Your RN License

Use this standard format that ATS systems can parse:

License Type — State Board, License Number (Status)

Examples:

• RN — Texas Board of Nursing, #789012 (Active)
• RN — California Board of Registered Nursing, #RN-987654 (Active)
• LPN — Florida Board of Nursing, #LPN-456789 (Active)

Always include the word "Active" — it reassures hiring managers that your license is current and valid.

How to List Multiple State Licenses

If you hold licenses in multiple states (common for travel nurses), list each one separately:

Licensure
• RN — California Board of Registered Nursing, #RN-987654 (Active)
• RN — Oregon State Board of Nursing, #RN-456789 (Active)
• RN — Washington State Department of Health, #RN-123456 (Active)

List the state where you're applying first, followed by other states in order of relevance.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) — How to Show It

If you hold a compact license through the NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact), you can practice in 40+ member states without separate applications. This is a significant advantage — make it clear on your resume:

Licensure
• RN — Compact/Multi-state License #123456 (Active in 40+ NLC states)
• Primary State of Residence: Texas

The compact license is especially valuable for travel nurses and nurses applying to positions in multiple states. Highlighting "40+ NLC states" immediately tells hiring managers you can start working without license transfer delays.

What About BSN, MSN, and Other Credentials?

Your educational credentials (BSN, MSN, DNP) go after your name, not in the license section. The standard format:

Sarah Johnson, BSN, RN, CCRN

The order is: Name, Degree, License, Certifications — from most permanent to least permanent.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving out the license number — Hiring managers need this to verify your credentials. ATS systems may also scan for it
• Forgetting to say "Active" — An unlabeled license raises questions about whether it's current
• Putting the license only in certifications — It should also be in your header for maximum visibility
• Using an expired license — Never list an expired or inactive license. If your license is in renewal, note: "Renewal in progress"
• Wrong state for the job — If applying out-of-state, mention your plan: endorsement in progress, compact license eligibility, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I put my nursing license on my resume?

Place your nursing license in two locations: (1) In your header/contact section right below your name, and (2) In a dedicated Certifications or Licensure section with full details including license type, state, number, and status.

Should I include my nursing license number on my resume?

Yes. Including your RN license number helps ATS systems verify your credentials and allows hiring managers to quickly confirm your active licensure. Format it as: RN License #123456 — State (Active).

How do I list a compact nursing license on my resume?

Write: "RN — Compact/Multi-state License #123456 (Active in 40+ NLC states), Primary State of Residence: [Your State]." This shows you can practice in any NLC member state without additional applications.