The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) has opened a world of opportunities for nurses. This guide is designed to help you understand what the NLC multistate license is, where you can use it, whether it’s right for you, and how to get one.
What is the Nurse Licensure Compact multistate license?
The Nurse Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement that lets RNs and LPNs/LVNs hold one license for all states that participate.
Once you have this multistate license, you can practice in any participating state, as long as you follow the laws and scope-of-practice rules for that state.
Why get a Nurse Licensure Compact multistate license?
Flexibility is one of the main benefits of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Before the compact, nurses needed separate licenses for every state. Now, it’s significantly easier to work across 43 compact states and territories. This license saves you the time of applying for (and renewing!) multiple licenses, and you don’t have to pay multiple license fees (unless you work in non-compact states).
A multistate license is especially useful if you:
- Legally reside in an NLC state
- Practice travel nursing across multiple NLC states
- Reside near a border in an NLC state and might work in a neighboring NLC state
- Provide telehealth care to patients in other NLC states
- Want the flexibility to move quickly when out-of-state opportunities arise
- Want to be able to work in compact states during natural disasters/other emergency situations
- Want to save the time and money associated with holding multiple licenses
It may not be useful if:
- Your primary state of residence (PSOR) is not in the NLC (multistate licenses are only issued from PSORs)
- You only plan to work in a single noncompact state (e.g., California or New York)
- You practice in non-compact states
- You practice primarily as an APRN (APRN Compact licensure is separate)
Who is eligible for the Nurse Licensure Compact multistate license?
The NLC multistate license is only available for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVNs).
The NLC does not cover Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure. APRNs still generally need state-specific APRN authority in each state where they practice.
However, APRNs can hold an RN multistate license. They are also eligible for multistate APRN licensure under the APRN Compact, currently operational in four states: Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah.
ARPN Compact legislation is pending in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Montana and New York.
How do clinicians qualify for the Nurse Licensure Compact license?
To hold a multistate license, your Primary State of Residence (PSOR) must be in a compact jurisdiction and you must meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs) adopted under the enhanced NLC. Here’s how to know if you qualify:
1. Confirm your Primary State of Residence (PSOR)
Your PSOR is the state where you “legally reside.” PSOR is not based on owning property or other factors like traveling.
2. Make sure you meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs)
ULRs include items such as:
- Graduation from a board-approved nursing program (or verified equivalent if internationally educated)
- Passing the NCLEX exam
- Federal and state fingerprint-based background checks
- Holding an active, unencumbered license
- No disqualifying criminal history and other compliance standards
- A valid U.S. Social Security number
(Your home state’s nursing board ultimately determines eligibility, using these uniform standards.)
3. Verify whether your current license is multistate or single-state
Even in compact states, not every nurse automatically has multistate privilege. NCSBN recommends verifying your status (often via Nursys) and contacting your board if you need to convert/upgrade.
4. Visit your state’s board of nursing website to begin the application process
Application fees and processes vary state-by-state.
A quick self-check for nurses considering eligibility
1. What license are you using?
RN or LPN/LVN: NLC may apply. APRN: NLC does not cover your APRN authority, but you may be eligible for the RN license.
2. Is your PSOR a compact jurisdiction (and operational)?
If yes, go to ULRs. If no, you can still get single-state licenses (endorsement) where you practice.
3. Are you practicing across state lines (including telehealth)?
Remember: Licensure ties to where the patient is located at the time of service.
4. Do you meet ULRs?
ULRs include criteria such as fingerprints, no disqualifying felony, SSN, etc.
5. Are you moving?
When you move, you must apply for a multistate license in your new PSOR within 60 days.
Which states are in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
As of publication, 43 U.S. states and territories are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
However, not all member states/territories are fully operational. Compact legislation is pending in Guam, Massachusetts, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Massachusetts has indicated its NLC implementation process will take time, and multistate practice isn’t authorized there until implementation is complete. The Virgin Islands’ legislation has been pending since 2021. Guam is partially operational: Nurses who reside in compact states may work there, but the territory does not issue compact licenses.
If you’re deciding where you can work, you’ll want to confirm:
- Whether the state is an NLC member
- Whether the NLC is fully operational for multistate practice
List of Nurse Licensure Compact states
1. Alabama: Operational
2. Arizona: Operational
3. Arkansas: Operational
4. Colorado: Operational
5. Connecticut: Operational
6. Delaware: Operational
7. Florida: Operational
8. Georgia: Operational
9. Guam: Enacted; partially operational. Nurses with active, unencumbered multistate licenses from NLC members may practice in Guam, but Guam is not accepting applications for multistate licenses at this time.
10. Idaho: Operational
11. Indiana: Operational
12. Iowa: Operational
13. Kansas: Operational
14. Kentucky: Operational
15. Louisiana: Operational
16. Maine: Operational
17. Maryland: Operational
18. Mississippi: Operational
19. Missouri: Operational
20. Montana: Operational
21. Nebraska: Operational
22. New Hampshire: Operational
23. New Jersey: Operational
24. New Mexico: Operational
25. North Carolina: Operational
26. North Dakota: Operational
27. Ohio: Operational
28. Oklahoma: Operational
29. Pennsylvania: Operational
30. Rhode Island: Operational
31. South Carolina: Operational
32. South Dakota: Operational
33. Tennessee: Operational
34. Texas: Operational
35. Utah: Operational
36. Vermont: Operational
37. Virginia: Operational
38. Washington: Operational
39. West Virginia: Operational
40. Wisconsin: Operational
41. Wyoming: Operational
Nurse Licensure Compact map
Do clinicians with a multistate license need to renew other state licenses?
According to NCSBN, if your home state (primary state of residence or PSOR) is a compact state and you hold an unencumbered, active multistate license there, you do not need to renew additional compact-covered licenses.
However, you will still need to renew any licenses you hold in noncompact states, if you intend to keep them active. You will also need to comply with each state’s specific requirements to be eligible to provide services there.
Key takeaways: Is the Nurse Licensure Compact multistate license right for you?
If you’re considering a multistate license, the key is to match the NLC’s benefits to your real-world practice.
The NLC primarily helps RNs and LPN/LVNs who want flexibility and mobility — whether for travel assignments, border-area work or telehealth across participating jurisdictions.
Start by confirming your Primary State of Residence (PSOR) and whether your home-state license is actually multistate (not just issued by a compact state). Then, review the Uniform Licensure Requirements (background checks, unencumbered status, education/NCLEX, and other standards) before relying on compact privileges.
Finally, remember that compact practice is subject to each state’s rules. Implementation status can vary in certain places, so verifying each jurisdiction’s current status is a smart last step before you accept an assignment or launch multistate telehealth services.
Sources
“Nurse Licensure Compact,” (NLC).
“Nurse Compact FAQ Webpage,” (NCSBN).
“Nurse Compact FAQ PDF,” (NCSBN).
“2018 Moving Scenarios Factsheet,”(NCSBN).
“Final Rules,” (The Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators).
“Multistate Licensure for Telephonic Practice (Telehealth),” (NCSBN).
“Applying for Licensure,” (NCSBN).
“Contact a U.S. Member,” (NCSBN).
“Help Bring the APRN Compact to Your State,” (APRN Compact).
“Uniform Licensure Requirements for a Multistate License,” (NLC).
“NLC States,” (NCSBN).
“Implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact,” (Mass.gov).
“The Territory of Guam has Partially Implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact. What Does this Mean?” (NCSBN).
“Navigate Nurse Licensure by Endorsement,” (NLC).
“Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Amended NLC Residency Rule,” (NLC).
