Nurse Licensure Compact

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to have one license to practice in multiple states. There are currently 38 jurisdictions that have enacted NLC legislation, meaning they recognize the multi-state license or have such legislation pending. For a full list of NLC states, see below.

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Benefits of NLC States

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) removes complications for nurses practicing in multiple states. Nurses from NLC states are able to work across state lines without having to worry about applying for licensure in each state or being burdened by multiple renewal requirements and fees. With more nurses practicing across state lines, state boards of nursing are coordinating now more than ever before—helping to expand the mobility of nurses as part of the nation’s wider healthcare system.

Eligibility for Multi-State License

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Nurse Licensure Compact FAQs, in order to apply for a multi-state nursing license, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must reside in an NLC state, and you must declare an NLC state as your primary state of residency.
  • If you are relocating, you must change your state of primary residence to the new state you reside in, even if your compact license status does not change with the relocation.
  • You must be actively licensed as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed professional nurse (LPN)/licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
  • You must meet any requirements for licensure held by your home state, though when practicing, you will also be held to the standards of the state where the patient or practice is located.

Nurse License Compact States

*Indicates partial implementation
**Indicates enactment, waiting for implementation

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Guam*
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey*
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio**
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania**
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont**
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island and the Virgin Islands have pending NLC legislation.

Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)

The enhanced nurse licensure compact (eNLC) was implemented on January 19, 2018, and originally included 29 states. The eNLC legislation dropped the “enhanced” part of the name and became the new NLC legislation. This allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses in the eNLC member states to have one multistate license. These nurses are now able to practice in person or through telehealth in their home state of licensure and other eNLC member states.

Licensure requirements in these member states are all aligned. When nurses apply for a multistate license, they are assured that other eNLC states have the same requirements allowing for mobility of their career and practice. eNLC member states include:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Ohio is expected to implement the eNLC on January 1, 2023. Vermont is expected to implement the eNLC on February 1, 2022.

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Information on nurse compact licensure states was last retrieved on September 15, 2021. For the most up-to-date information, check with your state board of nursing.