Nursing Compact States 2023 – Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) Agreement
In the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), states agree to recognize each other’s nursing licenses. You can find out how to get a multistate license from an NLC state. The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) lets nurses who are licensed in the U.S. work in other states that are part of the compact using just one license, called a multistate license. Currently, 36 states and two territories are part of the NLC. Additionally, two states are working towards becoming NLC states. The information below provides more details about the states involved in this agreement and the advantages it offers to nurses in those states.
What is the Nurse Licensure Compact?
The NLC is an arrangement among states to recognize each other’s nursing licenses. This means that if you have a nursing license in one of the nursing compact states, you can use it in another participating state without needing to get a new license.
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However, if you change your main state of residence, you must apply for a license in your new state. Since each state has its own rules for keeping a license, nurses should check the specific requirements set by their primary state’s nursing board. This applies to registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse educators. For nurse educators, most states ask them to be licensed in the same state where their students are. With a multistate license, they can teach students remotely in NLC states.
The NLC provides nurses with more flexibility to work in different places. This is helpful for nurses in health systems that operate in multiple states and for travel nurses. It also benefits the states involved and their employers, as they can hire nurses from other Nurse Licensure Compact states. By eliminating the need for new licenses, the process becomes simpler and there’s less paperwork for the nursing boards in NLC states.
Current Nursing Compact States and Status
| Jurisdiction | NLC Status |
|---|---|
| Alabama | NLC State |
| Alaska | Pending Legislation |
| Arizona | NLC State |
| Arkansas | NLC State |
| California | Non-NLC State |
| Colorado | NLC State |
| Connecticut | Non-NLC State |
| Delaware | NLC State |
| District of Columbia | Non-NLC State |
| Florida | NLC State |
| Georgia | NLC State |
| Guam | Partial NLC Implementation |
| Hawaii | Non-NLC State |
| Idaho | NLC State |
| Illinois | Pending Legislation |
| Indiana | NLC State |
| Iowa | NLC State |
| Kansas | NLC State |
| Kentucky | NLC State |
| Louisiana | NLC State |
| Maine | NLC State |
| Maryland | NLC State |
| Massachusetts | Pending Legislation |
| Michigan | Pending Legislation |
| Minnesota | Pending Legislation |
| Mississippi | NLC State |
| Missouri | NLC State |
| Montana | NLC State |
| Nebraska | NLC State |
| Nevada | Non-NLC State |
| New Hampshire | NLC State |
| New Jersey | NLC State |
| New Mexico | NLC State |
| New York | Pending Legislation |
| North Carolina | NLC State |
| North Dakota | NLC State |
| Ohio | NLC State |
| Oklahoma | NLC State |
| Oregon | Non-NLC State |
| Pennsylvania | Enacted NLC: Awaiting NLC Implementation |
| Rhode Island | Pending Legislation |
| South Carolina | NLC State |
| South Dakota | NLC State |
| Tennessee | NLC State |
| Texas | NLC State |
| Utah | NLC State |
| Vermont | NLC State |
| Virgin Islands | Enacted NLC: Awaiting NLC Implementation |
| Virginia | NLC State |
| Washington | Pending Legislation |
| West Virginia | NLC State |
| Wisconsin | NLC State |
| Wyoming | NLC State |
Source: NCSBN (January 2023)
Benefits of Being a Nurse in a Compact State
Being a nurse in a compact state has several advantages, such as more job options, saving money, and the ability to do telehealth.
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– More Job Choices: Nurses in compact states can easily find work in other states that are part of the NLC without dealing with lots of paperwork.
– Saves Money: Nurses with an NLC license in their home state don’t need to pay to renew their license. If they move, they only need to get a new license once and don’t have to pay extra unless they move again.
– Telehealth: The rise of telehealth lets nurses with a compact RN license help patients from different states through online care. This is especially helpful for patients needing specific telehealth services and makes it easier for nurses to do this.
Benefits of the Nursing Licensure Compact for States and Patients
The flexibility for nurses to help patients in other states boosts healthcare for people in nursing compact states. As shown during the COVID-19 pandemic, this teamwork improves disaster readiness, cross-state cooperation, and access to care across the country.
– More Nurses Available: Rural and distant areas in states with compact nursing licenses have more nurses available for care when needed.
– Ready for Disasters: Just like during the COVID-19 pandemic, a compact state can send nurses to places that need help the most. A state dealing with a natural disaster, virus outbreak, or other unexpected situations will need extra nurses for the people who need care.
– Better Teamwork: Nurses in compact states can work with nurses and healthcare pros in other states, which means more teamwork and support in tough situations.
– More Access to Care: Patients in states not in the NLC can miss out on special care they could benefit from because of state borders.
Impact of COVID-19 on Licensure by State
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many states allowed nurses to work in other states without needing a new license. The virus led to more people going to hospitals, so states hit the hardest needed more nurses.
During the pandemic, nurses and healthcare workers saw lots of patients in hospitals and worked nonstop to care for them. As the pandemic went on, most states ended the emergency nursing license because more people got vaccinated and fewer people needed hospital care. Some states even made a rule that lets nurses get emergency licenses to care for COVID-19 patients.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Licensure Compact
– How many states have the nursing license compact?
By January 2023, 36 states and U.S. areas are in the NLC. Pennsylvania is getting ready to join but hasn’t yet become part of the nursing compact states.
– How do you get a multistate license?
You apply to the nursing board in the state where you live or study if it’s an NLC state. You need to live or study in a state that’s part of the agreement and show proof.
– Which states aren’t in the nurse licensure compact?
As of January 2023, Pennsylvania has agreed to join but hasn’t finished yet. Alaska, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington are working on joining the Nursing Licensure Compact. California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon aren’t part of it and don’t plan to be.
– How do nurses get a license when moving between NLC states?
If you’re moving permanently, you show proof that you now live in the new state and apply for a new license before or after moving. You can still work with your old multi-state license until you get the new one.
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