Nursing licenses and certifications: which matter most and how to prove yours

Which licenses and certifications matter most?

1. Your state license. RN, LPN/LVN or APRN. You can’t work without it, and a lapsed one means you can’t legally practice.
2. BLS. Expected for nearly every clinical role, even when the posting doesn’t mention it.
3. ACLS, PALS or NRP. Which one depends on your patients.
4. A compact license. Only if you want to work across states, as in travel nursing.
5. A specialty certification. Usually preferred rather than required, but it sets you apart for experienced and travel roles.

Requirements vary by employer, state and unit, so check each posting.

Which life support cards does your unit need?

All four renew every two years. Most hospitals want American Heart Association cards, and some accept the American Red Cross. Some let new hires earn ACLS or PALS during orientation, so ask before you pay for a course.

Which specialty certification fits your unit?

Each one requires a set number of practice hours in the specialty, and the thresholds change, so check the certifying body’s eligibility page before you register.

Is a compact license worth it for travel nursing?

Usually, if you qualify. A Nurse Licensure Compact multistate license lets you work in every member state without a separate license in each, which is why agencies ask about it early. You qualify only if your primary residence is in a compact state. It covers RN and LPN/LVN licenses, not APRN, and it doesn’t let you work in non-compact states. Check the current map on the Nurse Licensure Compact site.

How should you list them on your resume?

Put a short block right under your contact information, since recruiters scan for it first. Delete any line that doesn’t apply.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
RN, [State] (or Multistate, NLC) | License #[Number] | Expires [MM/YYYY]
BLS | American Heart Association | Expires [MM/YYYY]
ACLS | [Issuing body] | Expires [MM/YYYY]
PALS | [Issuing body] | Expires [MM/YYYY]
CCRN | AACN | Expires [MM/YYYY]

Keep it in one column of plain text, then check how an applicant tracking system reads it.

How do employers check your license?

At the source: Nursys or your state board for licenses, the American Heart Association’s eCard lookup for life support cards, and each certifying body’s site for specialty certifications. Look yourself up first, and fix any name or date that doesn’t match your resume.

To stand out before they check, verify your RN license or BLS card once with a Checkr Profile (a paid upgrade), and get free job matches from your resume. Checkr can’t verify LPN, APRN, ACLS, PALS or specialty credentials yet.