Complete requirements guide for traveling healthcare workers
Application Fee
$180
Processing Time
2–4
weeks
Renewal Period
2
years
Renewal Fee
$122
Pennsylvania's transition to a full compact state in mid-2025 has made it significantly easier for travel nurses. If you already have a multistate license, you can now work here without any additional PA-specific paperwork.
License by Endorsement
Available for out-of-state licensees
Temporary License
Available while full license processes
Background Check
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
Jurisprudence Exam
Not required
Endorsement Fee: $180
PA is now a full NLC member. Applicants must complete a 3-hour Board-approved course in child abuse recognition and reporting before a license can be issued.
Temporary permits are available for endorsement applicants ($70 additional fee) and are valid for up to 1 year or until the permanent license is issued/denied.
Since compact implementation, processing for single-state licenses has stabilized. Background check results from the FBI/PA State Police are the main factor.
30 hours required every 2 years
30 contact hours, including 2 hours of child abuse reporting training. New for 2026: 2 hours of organ donation education required once every 5 years.
The PALs portal is used for all applications; ensure your SSN is correctly linked to avoid background check mismatches.
Join TravTrak to get reminders before your license expires and manage all your healthcare credentials in one place.
Sign Up Free →Information last verified: March 29, 2026