Updated January 21, 2026
Great news for travel nurses! The list of Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) states continues to grow, with Pennsylvania and Connecticut officially implementing its membership and other states taking steps to join. Here's what the NLC map looks like in 2026, and what NLC states might be added in the months to come.
- Looking for a new travel nursing job? Search hundreds of opportunities here
NLC States: PA Joins the Nurse Licensure Compact
Four years after being signed into law, Pennsylvania's membership in the NLC is finally fully implemented. As of July 7, 2025, Pennsylvania has fully joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), the multi-state network that lets nurses practice in more than 40 states with just one license.
- What is the NLC, and what benefits does it offer? Learn all about the NLC here
After passing the NLC into law in 2021, the Keystone State has implemented its membership in a few different stages. Since September 5, 2023, out-of-state RNs and LPNs who hold a multi-state NLC license can provide care to patients in Pennsylvania, both in person and using telehealth or virtual technology.
However, before Monday, July 7, 2025, nurses based in PA weren't able to actually apply for a compact license to work in other member states. Now that Pennsylvania is a full member, that door is open to them, as is all the other benefits of holding an NLC license.
- Update: As of October, 2025, Connecticut is now a compact member state, too! Get more details here.
NLC Map: New Member States & New Prospects
As of January 21, 2026, 40 states are now full members of the NLC, with several more in the process of joining. In a few others, membership has been approved but implementation is not yet complete. (Nurses in those states may still enjoy partial NLC benefits.)
The list of nurse compact states now includes Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 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, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Which states have partial NLC implementation?
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts and the Virgin Islands, the NLC has been approved but is still being set up, with full implementation soon. It’s also been approved but is not yet fully in place in Guam.
- How can you apply for a nursing compact license in your state? Find out here
Which states have legislation to join the NLC?
In 2025, lawmakers in Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and the District of Columbia all introduced bills to join the NLC — a list of states that includes some prime destinations for travel nurses!
- Interested in traveling? Read about the many benefits of travel nursing here
Those states are expected to continue their efforts into 2026. Stay tuned to the Engage blog for all the updates!
Looking for a Travel Nursing Job in an NLC State?
If you've got a multi-state NLC license and you're looking for travel nursing opportunities in a member state, you've come to the right place! As one of the country's s leading travel nursing recruiters, we've got hundreds of open travel job opportunities in NLC member states and more. Start your search here!
