Updated July 29, 2026
Great news for travel nurses! The list of Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) states continues to grow. Here's what states are in the Nurse Licensure Compact, and which ones may be joining soon, complete with an updated NLC map.
- Looking for a new place to travel? Search hundreds of travel nursing jobs here
What States are in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
With more and more states joining the NLC in recent years, the list of members in the multi-state network that lets nurses practice across state lines with just a single license continues to grow.
After passing the NLC into law in 2021, Pennsylvania implemented its membership in 2025, and later that year, Connecticut did the same — and Massachusetts is on the verge of full membership, which would put all of New England in the NLC.
- What is the NLC, and what benefits does it offer? Learn all about the NLC here
NLC Map: New Member States & New Prospects
So, as of January 21, 2026, 40 states are now full members of the NLC, with several more in the process of joining. And in a few other states, 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?
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.
And, while membership is still up in the air in those states — it's stalled in some, for the time being, while still being debated in others — efforts renew each year. So, travel nurses interested in working in those locations should bookmark our NLC map for updates.
- Interested in traveling? Read about the many benefits of travel nursing here
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!
