Did you know that you can work in 38 states with just one license? Here’s everything you need to know about the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), how it can help your career, and how to apply for a compact state nursing license of your own.
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What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?
Often abbreviated as NLC, the Nurse Licensure Compact is a group of states and other U.S. territories that offers a multistate license for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). Nurses who have an NLC license can practice in all 43 participating jurisdictions.
Traditionally, nurses who want to work in a different state have to get a whole new license, which usually involves taking a new exam, passing a new background check, and, of course, paying another fee. Beyond the inconvenience, it all takes time that employers and patients sometimes don’t have.
The NLC helps by making it easier for nurses to quickly get to work in different states. And with so many states and jurisdictions having joined the compact, that means nursing professionals can now work freely in about 80% of the country without any need for new licensing, credentialing, or background checks.
What States Are in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
As of January 2025, 38 states have fully implemented the NLC: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, 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, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In addition, four more states and a few U.S. territories are in the process of doing so. In Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Virgin Islands, the NLC has been approved and is in the process of implementation. It’s partially in place in Guam and Pennsylvania, and still in the process of being approved in Michigan and D.C.
What Are the Benefits of Getting an NLC License?
The NLC is great for travelers because it lets you work in other states without have to apply and pay for a new license every time. It’s also useful for those who live in work in areas that overlap into multiple states, like Kansas City, Cincinnati, Reno/Tahoe, or Washington, D.C. And when disaster strikes and employers seek crisis nurses, it makes it much faster to help those in need.
Getting a nurse compact license also benefits those who work in telehealth jobs, since it lets you legally treat patients in other states. And since that aspect of healthcare is set to grow as the use of technology increases, nurses with NLC licenses could have a competitive edge over those who don’t.
How Do You Apply for a Compact State Nursing License?
How do you apply for an NLC license? You must get a nurse compact license through the board of nursing (BON) of the state where you live. It’s important to know that an NLC license is different from any other state license you may have. In other words, holding a license to member state isn’t the same as having a compact license.
So, how do you get one? If you already have a license, you have a few options. You’ll need to either (a) take a new exam, (b) pay for an upgrade, (c) request an NLC as part of your renewal, or (d) get a transfer (also called a “license by endorsement”). You can get more details here.
- Pro Tip: If you’re not sure if you already have a nurse compact license, you can check at nursys.com.
If you’re a new graduate, you can apply for an NLC license as your first license if you live in a member state. So, if the "primary state of residence" you list on your tax return is a member of the NLC, then you can apply for a multistate license when you take your state's NCLEX.
Beyond these universal needs, each state has its own different licensing standards — usually, having a degree and passing the NCLEX and a background check. Most states also have continuing education (CE) requirements and application fees. You can find your state’s BON website here.
What are the NLC’s Uniform Licensure Requirements?
In addition, the NLC has Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs) that every applicant must meet. If you already have a license, then you already probably meet these requirements. They include having a U.S. social security number and:
- Meeting the specific licensing standards of your PSOR, including graduating from an approved program (including international programs), passing an NCLEX or equivalent exam, and meeting any other state-specific requirements
- Not being under active discipline or convicted of any felony or job-related misdemeanor
- Submitting to all necessary criminal background checks
- Not participating in a similar program
- Passing an English proficiency exam (for International candidates)
Need Help with Your Nurse Compact License?
Interested in expanding your career horizons by applying for a nurse compact license? As one of America’s leading travel nursing recruitment specialists, we can walk you through the process of getting your NLC — and connect you with hundreds of new travel job opportunities across the country once you have it.
