Expedited Licensing for Military Members and Spouses
Thank you for your service! If you or your spouse is a current or retired member of the armed forces of the United States, or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio National Guard, the following information is provided to help you in obtaining licensure or certification by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
If you have questions or need assistance, please email the Board at military@nursing.ohio.gov.
Use the button below to view which professions are licensed or certified by the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Nurse Licensure, Temporary Permits & Temporary Military Licenses (SB7)
Expedited Processing: The Board provides expedited processing for military personnel, veterans, and spouses. On the license or certification application, check the box “military or spouse of military”. Click here to access the various types of applications.
Temporary Permits: Military personnel, veterans, and spouses who are already licensed in another state as an RN, LPN, or APRN, can apply for a temporary permit, issued within 1-3 business days, to begin practicing in Ohio and then complete the licensing process. Click here to complete the Reciprocity Application and receive a temporary permit.
Temporary Military Licenses: Members of the military and spouses who are licensed in another jurisdiction and have moved to Ohio for active duty may apply for a temporary military license which can be issued after criminal records checks are receive by the Board and other requirements are met.
–Click here for information about SB7 temporary military licenses.
–Click here to review the application process for a temporary military license.
Temporary Military Licenses/Certificates for Dialysis Technician and Medication Aides
Members of the military and spouses who are licensed or certified in another jurisdiction and have moved to Ohio for active duty may apply for a six year temporary military license which can be issued after criminal records checks are completed and other requirements are met.
–Click here for information about SB7 temporary military licenses.
–Click here to review the application process for a temporary military license.
Renewal/Reinstatement Fee Waivers for Military
If you are licensed or certified by the Board and are seeking renewal/reinstatement, you may be eligible for waiver of certain fees. To obtain a waiver of the late processing fee (renewal) or the reinstatement fee, generally you need to meet these requirements:
(1) Not more than 6 months prior to the application, you or your spouse was honorably discharged or separated;
(2) If you are a licensee/certificate holder, you are not suffering a mental/physical impairment affecting your ability to practice;
(3) If you are military spouse, your spouse’s service caused you to be absent from Ohio during renewal.
Continuing Education Time Extension
Nurses, dialysis technicians, community health workers and medication aides called to active duty during a current or prior continuing education (CE) reporting period may receive an extension of time to complete CE requirements equal to the number of months spent in active duty.
Criminal Records Checks
Criminal records checks are required for everyone applying for licensure or certification. Click the links below for detailed information about the process.
Nursing Board Rules: Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4723-2, Licensing for Active Duty Military and Veterans
OAC Chapter 4723-2 includes rules that explain how the Board processes applications, grants fee waivers, and extends certain deadlines for licensure for service members, veterans, or spouses of service members or veterans. Click here for the rules.
Military Pathways to Nursing Licensure
For answers to some of the most common questions and concerns that military members have regarding the process, click the links below.
Additional Education & Licensing Resources
Military personnel, military spouses and veterans can find helpful information using the links below.
- Click here for Licensure by Examination and Endorsement Forms
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Education & Training
- NCLEX Qualified Veterans Reimbursement Program
- Online Application for VA Education Benefits
- Qualified Veterans Reimbursement Program: NCSBN Education Reimbursement for Veterans
- NCSBN Analysis: A Comparison of Selected Military Health Occupation Curricula with a Standard Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Curriculum
- Accelerated Path to BSN: A new program is available at Wright State for veterans with a medical background to have an accelerated path to a BSN
- American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide
- O*NET Online – Military Crosswalk Search
Additional Employment & Health Related Resources
Military personnel, military spouses and veterans can find helpful information using the links below.
- The Ohio Department of Veterans Services
- Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation
- Ohio Means Veterans Jobs
- American Academy of Nursing, “Have You Ever Served in the Military?”
- VA, VFW and Walgreens Collaborate to Enhance Veteran Access to Mental Health Resources
- White House Telehealth Initiatives to Provide Greater Access to Veterans
- Nationwide Opioid Therapy Tool for Veterans
- Ohio Values Veterans: Medic to Nursing Project
- Use of NCSBN’s Nursys e-Notify in Veterans Affairs (VA) Facilities