2024 Compact Nursing States

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Compact Nursing States

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement between 41 U.S. states and territories allowing nurses to hold a multistate license. This means that nurses who live in a compact state can practice in other member jurisdictions without having to obtain additional licenses.

The NLC was created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in 2008 to increase access to care by making it easier for nurses to practice in multiple states. The NLC also helps to protect patients by maintaining high standards of care and facilitating communication between member states.

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Participating states

As of October 2023, the 41 states and territories below have NLC legislation fully or partially implemented, or are awaiting implementation of legislation. These include:

States with pending NLC legislation

There are an additional 7 states as well as the District of Columbia where NLC legislation is expected but still pending legislation:

• Alaska
• District of Columbia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York

What the NLC means for nurses

As a nurse, holding a multi-state license provides increased career development opportunities and job flexibility. Nurses with these licenses may practice in as many as 39 states and territories without having to apply for licensure in each new jurisdiction. This means there are fewer complications, application fees, and barriers to job opportunites.

Travel nurses (requirements) and military personnel are, without a doubt, the greatest beneficiaries of the compact state nursing legislation. These nurses no longer have to spend extra time and money applying for or renewing their license across multiple states since it’s taken care of in the eNLC compact state .

For more information check out the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website for an NLC Toolkit that includes videos and other resources.

Multistate license eligibility

To be eligible for a multistate license for healthcare workers’ compact licensure successfully you must meet the uniform licensure requirements (ULR) of the NLC, including:

• Holding an unencumbered (free from active disciplinary action) license as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) in the nurse’s primary state of residence – a NLC member state
• Having graduated from a board-approved education program
• Having passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN Examination
• Meeting English proficiency requirements
• Submitting to fingerprint-based criminal background checks

Nurses who meet the ULR can apply for a multistate license through their state’s board of nursing. Once a nurse is granted a multistate license, they can practice in any other compact state without having to obtain an additional license.

If you are in a state with pending legislation, you don’t have to do anything until the bills are passed. After your state joins the nursing compact, the state board will reach out to registered nurses in the state. You must make sure your permanent address is updated with the state board before they determine compact license eligibility.

Unsure whether you already have a multistate license?Look up your license via Nursys.

Moving from one state to another as a nurse

Many nurses move states at least once during their careers. The NCSBN requires the following for nurses moving states:

Noncompact to Compact

You must apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse can either apply before or after the move. You can receive a multistate license once you meet residency and eligibility requirements.

Compact to Noncompact

You have to apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. You can apply either before or after the move. Once you change legal residency, your multistate license changes to a single state license.

Compact to Compact

If you decide to move to another nursing compact state, you have to apply for licensure by endorsement.

A new NLC Rule that takes effect on January 2, 2024 requires nurses moving from one compact state to another compact state to apply for licensure in their new Primary State of Residence (PSOR) within 60 days.

You can practice with the old state license only until the new license is issued. Once the new multistate license is activated the old one is rendered inactive.

FAQs

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