The oxidation state of nitrogen in nitric oxide (NO) is +2. Here's how to determine it:

* Oxygen's usual oxidation state: Oxygen typically has an oxidation state of -2.

* Overall neutral molecule: NO is a neutral molecule, meaning the sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms must equal zero.

* Calculation: Let x be the oxidation state of nitrogen. Therefore:

* x + (-2) = 0

* x = +2

Therefore, the oxidation state of nitrogen in nitric oxide is +2.