The Nurse Compact License
Requirements for a nurse compact license are similar across states. However, each state may determine and vary its own licensure requirements. The states that participate in the compact have agreed that the licensing requirements in the individual states are compliant with their own licensing requirements. Therefore, these states allow you to work in their state without any additional licensing.
Nurse Compact License Requirements
Who’s Eligible?
Currently, the Compact license is available for LPN’s and RN’s. Additionally, there is current legislation attempting to provide a compact for Advance Practice Nurses.
According to NCSBN The following are necessary in order to qualify for a Compact License
- Legally reside in an NLC state.
- Hold an active RN or LPN/VN nursing license in good standing. (APRN’s are not included in this compact.)
- Declare an NLC state as your primary state of residency.
- Meet the licensure requirements in your home state.
Additionally, some states have additional requirements in order to qualify. Check each state board’s website for details.
Which States Participate in the Compact?
(New States Added as of 6/23/2021: Guam, Illinois, Oklahoma, California, Ohio and Oregon)
Over the years, the nurse compact license has evolved. Now referred to as the eNLC. There are currently 36 states that have passed legislation.
NLC State
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (Registered Nurses and Practical Nurse)
- Maine
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey (*New Jersey is allowing nurses who hold active, unencumbered, multi-state licenses issued by Nurse Licensure Compact member states to practice in New Jersey under their multi-state licenses.)
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Pending Legislation
- California
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Oregon
Additional Reading
- What Travel RNs Need to Know About the Enhanced Nurse Licensure…
- State Spotlight: Travel Nursing in Iowa
- RN License Timeline – Infographic
All information on this page was obtained via nurse.org. Please check back often for updates.
