8 Things to Know About Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) States

As a nurse, you have endless opportunities to build the career you want. When you need a change, you can switch shifts, specialties, or even facilities.

But did you know your nursing license can take you to another state? With a compact nursing license, you can care for patients almost anywhere in the country.

Find out where your nursing career can take you by discovering which states are included in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

The Nursing Licensure Compact allows registered nurses (RNs) to practice in multiple states. Having a compact nursing license means you don’t need to get a new license if you move to a participating state.

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), nurses “can practice in other NLC states, without having to obtain additional licenses.” This practice permission is often referred to as reciprocity.

Each state is regulated by its board of nursing (BON), which reports to the NCSBN. Your state’s BON oversees safe patient care by setting practice standards for nurses.

Nursing practice standards vary by state. If you’re planning to use your compact license to work in another state, check out the regulations from its board of nursing.

The first step to getting a compact nursing license is to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) in an NLC state. You will become licensed in the state where you pass the nursing boards.

For example, if you passed the NCLEX in Missouri, you will hold a Missouri compact license. You can then practice in any of the compact states.

As an RN, you must claim a primary state of residence. This is based on the address you use on your driver’s license, voter’s registration, or where you file income taxes.

Nurses in noncompact states are issued a single-state license after passing the nursing boards.

If you wish to get a multistate license from a noncompact state, you can apply for a license by endorsement.

No matter where you’re registered, you will always renew your nursing license in the state where it was originally issued. Renewal requirements vary by state. Check with your state’s BON to prepare for renewal.

Having a nursing compact license gives nurses the flexibility to practice just about anywhere. It allows nurses to change their environment — whether it’s for life circumstances or to prevent burnout.

A multistate nursing license allows nurses to:

Healthcare facilities nationwide are impacted by the nursing shortage. As a nurse, you can help short-staffed nursing units by working on an as-needed or contract basis.

If you’re looking to add some variety to your nursing career while helping short-staffed facilities, consider getting licensed in a Nurse Licensure Compact state.

There are currently 35 NLC states implementing nursing reciprocity. You can practice in any of these states with a compact nursing license. Other states plan to join or are waiting for legal processes to be complete.

Laws are passed in several states and are awaiting implementation. For Ohio, the implementation date is set for Jan. 1, 2023. There is no start date at this time for Pennsylvania or the Virgin Islands.

In Guam, nurses who hold active, unencumbered, multistate licenses issued by Nurse Licensure Compact member states can practice in Guam under their multistate licenses.