Compact Nursing States List 2023

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Updated 7/25/2023

Compact nursing states refer to the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), which is an agreement between states that allows nurses to have one compact state nursing license that gives them the ability to practice in other states that are part of the agreement.

Originally developed in 2000, by 2015 the license had grown to include 25 states. To help streamline the process for nurses, the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) was implemented in 2018 and included standards for licensure which the original compact license was lacking.

For example, the NLC did not require applicants to undergo state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks, whereas the new eNLC does.

Here’s a comprehensive listing of all states currently impacted by multi-state compact licensing.

Twenty-four of the original NLC states have enacted the eNLC or have pending legislation. Eight additional states have pending legislation waiting for approval before joining the eNLC. Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands have passed legislation allowing for the eNLC but is currently awaiting implementation. There is no start date at this time. As of January 2023, there are currently forty states part of the eNLC.

Nurses residing in Guam will not be able to apply for a multistate license until 2022; however, nurses holding a multistate license in their home state may now utilize that license to practice in Guam.

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Goals were developed for every state to become a member of the NLC but there has been ongoing resistance from some states regarding the requirements for licensure. While the eNLC continues to grow, there are still states that still do not want to be included in the license. Even in states that have legislation pending, there is some pushback from the state nursing association.

The eNLC will continue to increase access to health care, reduce overall costs to insurance companies, hospitals, and individual patients, and support efficient and strong health care delivery.

The eNLC became effective on July 20, 2017, which allowed the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administration to begin drafting appropriate rules and regulations for the new licensure.

In January 2018, new multi-state licenses were issued to all nurses who applied to transition from the old license. New nurses getting their first license in an eNLC state will be able to practice in all eNLC states without delay. This option is highly effective for travelers who do not wish to waste time between contracts. Furthermore, it helps reduce costs on application fees and license renewals. Unfortunately, Hawaii is not currently part of the eNLC and does not have any pending legislation. Hawaii is one of the most desirable states for travel nurses in the U.S.

Each eNLC state is responsible to notify nurses by mail of the changes to the license and the process to obtain an enhanced compact license. As more states continue to join the eNLC, additional nurses will have the option to streamline if they hold multiple licenses.

So what does this mean for nurses? Nurses who currently practice in states with pending legislation do not have to do anything until the bill(s) are passed. Once the state becomes a part of the eNLC, the state board will reach out to all nurses registered with the state. Nurses then will be required to ensure their permanent address is up to date with the state board in order to determine compact license eligibility.

Nurses that are NOT due for license renewal will not be required to pay an additional fee to transition to the eNLC. A new license will be issued to all nurses that meet the requirements for the eNLC.

It is important to note that you must claim residency in an eNLC state in order to apply for a compact license. As a non-resident of an eNLC state, you can apply for licensure by endorsement for the state but will only be issued a single-state license instead of the compact license. Nurses can hold multiple single-state licenses.

New licensure nurses will still need to apply for a license via the state website. Applicants will then have the option to apply for the eNLC with their permanent address or apply for a single-state license. If at any time your permanent address moves to a non-eNLC, you are required to submit this to the state nursing board and your eNLC could potentially be revoked.

Nurses are highly encouraged to sign up for the Nursys e-Notify system which delivers real-time notifications about updates to the eNLC. It also will deliver information regarding expirations, renewals, and disciplinary actions. This service is free of charge and is a patient safety initiative that is supported by the U.S. Board of Nurses and NCSBN. More information can be found at www.nursys.com.

In terms of continuing education (CE) requirements, a nurse holding an eNLC must meet the CE requirements for his or her own state. Each state, regardless of the eNLC, requires specific CE courses and a specific number of hours. Renewal requirements are only related to the state that issued the eNLC, not the state in which the nurse practices.

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For many states, the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the need to lessen regulatory burdens on nursing licensure. Because of this, many states were able to start legislation toward implementation. Furthermore, some state nursing associations have supported bills that previously they were against.

Since the last update, several key states have put out legislation to implement the eNLC. Alaska and New York both have legislation pending. This is monumental as both are key states for travel nurses. With the implementation of the eNLC, Alaska will be able to easily get much-needed staff, especially in remote communities. The Alaska Board of Nursing at one point did not favor the compact license; however, after overwhelming support from nurses within the state - the board now supports the legislation.

According to a survey conducted in 2019 by the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, 89% of Alaskan resident nurses are in favor of joining the compact license and 87% would apply for a compact nurse license if available.

Most recently, on April 21st, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington signed the eNLC into law making Washington the 40th state to enact the compact license.

Executive Director of Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission Paula R. Meyer MSN, RN, FRE, said, “The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission has supported the NLC for more than 25 years. The passage of the bill further protects the public through the coordination of all boards of nursing in the compact working together to protect the public. The public protection measures in the compact include FBI background checks on all nurses who receive a multistate license and sharing of significant investigative information.”

American Samoa
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Mariana Islands
Nevada
Oregon

Since the last update, California no longer has legislation for the eNLC. It was denied at both the statehouse and senate levels.

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The Commission has developed 11 uniform licensure requirements for a multistate license.

Meets the requirements for licensure in their state of residency
Has graduated from a board-approved education program OR has graduated from an international education program (approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and verified by an independent credentials review agency)
Has passed an English proficiency exam (applies to graduates of an international education program not taught English or if English is not the individual’s native language)
Has passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN Examination or predecessor exam
Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license
Has submitted to state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks
Has no state or federal felony convictions
Has no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing
Is not currently a participant in an alternative program
Is required to self-disclose current participation in an alternative program
Has a valid United States Social Security number.

An applicant must meet each of the aforementioned requirements in order to apply for the eNLC. These requirements are specific only to the eNLC and were developed in hopes that all states would eventually join the eNLC.

The Board carefully reviewed each state’s requirements for licensure and included specifics in order to increase eNLC participation.

The NLC and eNLC are supported by many organizations throughout the country. A few of these include:

American Association of Colleges of Nurses
American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
American Association of Poison Control Centers
Association of Camp Nurses
Association for Vascular Access
Commission for Case Manager Certification
Cross Country Healthcare
Emergency Nurses Association
Hospital Corporation of American Healthcare
National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
National League for Nursing
National Military Family Association
National Patient Safety Foundation
National Student Nurses Association
Organization for Associate Degree Nursing
Oncology Nursing Society
Population Health Alliance
Telehealth leadership Council
U.S. Department of Commerce

Unfortunately, some states and organizations do not support eNLC. Interestingly, a study conducted in 2014 indicated 70% of nurses were in favor of their state joining the compact license.

Major concerns from states unwilling to join the eNLC at this time are:

Disciplinary actions under the eNLC
Growth of Telemedicine and telenursing
Loss of state revenue for new single-state licensees
Privacy of patients

While some states are hesitant to enact the eNLC, according to the NCSBN there are over 2 million nurses currently residing in eNLC states that have the opportunity to practice in other compact states. Nurses holding compact licenses are more desirable as they can take immediate job vacancies without waiting for licensure. The NCSBN also stresses that nurses with a compact license can: