Dreaming of working as a travel nurse in sunny California? Or perhaps considering a move to be closer to family across state lines? The idea of nursing freedom—practicing wherever life takes you—is incredibly appealing. But when you ask, “Can a nurse work in any state?” the answer is: it depends. The key to unlocking this professional freedom often comes down to one powerful tool: the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This agreement between states can transform your nursing career, opening doors to opportunities that once seemed out of reach.
The Traditional Model: One State, One License
Before the NLC existed, nursing practice was straightforwardly restrictive. You held one license for one state. Period. If you wanted to work across state lines—even in a neighboring town—you needed a separate license for each state. This created significant barriers for nurses wanting to work as travelers, serve patients in border communities, or relocate for family reasons.
Imagine this scenario: You live in Kansas City, Missouri, and a hospital just across the river in Kansas City, Kansas, offers you a fantastic position with better hours and pay. Under the traditional model, you’d need to apply for a Kansas nursing license—a process taking weeks or months and costing hundreds of dollars. For nurses living in metropolitan areas that span multiple states, this daily reality made career flexibility nearly impossible.
Clinical Pearl: The traditional licensing model wasn’t just inconvenient—it actually limited patient access to care during critical shortages, especially in border regions and during emergencies.
What is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?
The Nurse Licensure Compact fundamentally changed the game for nursing mobility. Think of it like a driver’s license: your driver’s license, issued by your home state, allows you to drive legally in all other states. The NLC works similarly for nursing practice.
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement between participating states that allows nurses to hold one multistate license with privileges to practice in all other compact member states. This means if you live in Florida (a compact state) and hold a multistate license, you can work in Texas, Arizona, Virginia, or any other compact state without obtaining additional licenses.
This revolutionary system offers tremendous benefits:
- Career flexibility: Easily take travel assignments across multiple states
- Borderless practice: Work across state lines in metropolitan areas
- Emergency response: Quickly provide care during disasters in other compact states
- Telehealth opportunities: Practice across state boundaries for virtual care
Pro Tip: The NLC includes the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), implemented in 2018 with updated requirements for member states and stronger compliance standards.
Which States are in the Compact?
Currently, 41 states have enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact legislation. This number continues to grow as additional states join the agreement. The compact dramatically expands practice opportunities for nurses in these member states.
Current NLC Member States:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Important Note: States with pending legislation may join the compact in the future, so always check the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website for the most current information.
Non-Compact States: California, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and New York.
Key Takeaway: Your ability to practice under a compact license depends entirely on your state of RESIDENCE, not where you work.
Eligibility: Do You Qualify for a Compact License?
Not every nurse automatically qualifies for a compact nursing license. The NLC has specific eligibility requirements that you must meet to obtain or maintain multistate privileges.
Primary Requirements:
- Primary State of Residence (PSOR): This is the most crucial factor. You can only hold a compact license from your PRIMARY state of residence—the state where you physically live, vote, and pay taxes.
- Legal Residency Proof: You must prove your residency through at least one of the following:
- Driver’s license
- Voter registration card
- Military form no. 2 (active duty military)
- Federal tax return
- Licensure Requirements: You must meet all licensure requirements in your home state, including:
- Graduating from an approved nursing program
- Passing the NCLEX examination
- Clear criminal background check
- No active disciplinary action against any nursing license
- U.S. Residency: The compact is limited to U.S. citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
Are You Eligible Checklist:
Answer YES to ALL these questions to qualify for a compact license:
- Does your primary state of residence belong to the NLC?
- Do you have legal proof of residency in that state (driver’s license, voter registration, etc.)?
- Have you met all licensure requirements in your home state?
- Is your nursing license active and in good standing?
- Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
Common Mistake: Many nurses think they can apply for a compact license from any NLC state. You can only obtain a compact nursing license from your state of LEGAL residence, regardless of where you went to school or currently work.
How to Obtain a Compact Nursing License
Getting your compact nursing license follows a straightforward process, but the steps vary slightly depending on your situation.
For New Nursing Graduates:
- Verify Your Home State is in the NLC: First, confirm your state of residence participates in the compact.
- Apply Through Your State Board of Nursing: Submit your initial licensure application directly to your home state’s board of nursing.
- Declare Primary State of Residence: Include proof of residency documentation with your application.
- Meet All Requirements: Complete background checks, submitting transcripts, passing the NCLEX, etc.
- Receive Your Multistate License: If approved, you’ll receive one license with multistate privileges valid in all NLC states.
For Nurses Moving to a Compact State:
- Establish Legal Residency: Move to your new state and establish residency (get driver’s license, register to vote, etc.)
- Apply for Licensure by Endorsement: Submit an application for licensure by endorsement to your new state’s board of nursing.
- Provide Documentation: Include proof of your new residency, your current active license, and any other required documents.
- Pay Required Fees: Each state has different endorsement fees, typically $100-300.
- Wait for Approval: Processing usually takes 2-6 weeks, though many states offer expedited options for additional fees.
Pro Tip: Apply for your new compact license at least 6-8 weeks before your planned start date for a new job. Delays can happen, and you want to ensure your license is active before you need it.
What If You Want to Work in a Non-Compact State?
Even with a compact nursing license, you’ll need additional documentation to practice in non-compact states like California, New York, or Florida (before it joined the NLC). This process is known as licensure by endorsement.
The Process:
- Research State Requirements: Each non-compact state has unique requirements, fees, and processing times.
- Complete Application: Submit a detailed application to that state’s board of nursing.
- Submit Documentation: You’ll need verification of your current license (often through the Nursys system), transcripts, fingerprint cards, and sometimes letters of recommendation.
- Pass State-Specific Requirements: Some states require additional coursework (like California’s mandated child abuse recognition training).
- Pay State Fees: These vary widely from $75 to over $350.
Once you receive this additional license, you can practice in that specific state. However, this process must be repeated for each non-compact state where you want to work.
Compact vs. Non-Compact Practice: A Comparison
| Feature | Compact License (NLC) | Single-State License (Non-Compact) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of states | 41+ (and growing) | 1 state only |
| Application process | One application | Separate application for each state |
| Cost for multi-state work | Initial fee only | Fees for each state license |
| Processing time | 2-8 weeks typically | 2-12 weeks per state |
| Physical license required | No (electronically verified) | Sometimes yes |
| Best for | Travel nurses, border residents, telehealth | Nurses who plan to stay in one state |
| Winner | Flexibility and cost-effectiveness for mobile nurses | Simpler for nurses staying in one location |
Key Takeaway: The compact license system dramatically reduces barriers for mobile nurses, but non-compact states still require individual licensure.
FAQ: Your Top Questions About Nurse Licensure Answered
Can I work in California with a compact license?
No. California is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. You must obtain a California nursing license through endorsement to practice there, even as a travel nurse.
What happens if I move to a new state?
When you move, your primary state of residence changes. If you move from one NLC state to another NLC state, you must apply for licensure by endorsement in your new state within 90 days to maintain multistate privileges. If you move to a non-compact state, your compact privileges revert to a single-state license limited to your former home state.
Can I maintain a compact license living in a non-compact state?
No. To hold a compact license with multistate privileges, you must reside in an NLC member state. If you move to a non-compact state, your license will convert to a single-state license valid only in your former home state.
How do I verify my license status in another state?
Always verify your license through the official Nursys database before starting any new position. This system provides immediate, primary source verification of your license status to other state boards of nursing.
What about telehealth across state lines?
The NLC allows compact license holders to practice telehealth across all member states. However, for patients in non-compact states, you would need that specific state’s license, even for virtual care.
Is the compact license recognized in U.S. territories?
Currently, the NLC does not include U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each territory maintains its own licensure requirements.
Clinical Pearl: Keep copies of all license applications, fees paid, and correspondence with state boards. Create a dedicated folder (physical and digital) for your nursing documentation—this will save you countless hours when applying for additional licenses.
Do compact licenses expire?
Yes, compact licenses expire according to your primary state’s renewal cycle, typically every two years. You must renew through your home state’s board of nursing, meeting all continuing education requirements and paying the renewal fee to maintain both your home state license and multistate privileges.
Conclusion
The Nurse Licensure Compact has revolutionized nursing mobility, making it possible for you to practice across dozens of states with a single license. Your ability to work in any state depends on two key factors: your primary state of residence and whether that state participates in the NLC. If you live in a compact member state, you enjoy unprecedented career flexibility to practice across state lines without additional licensing burdens. For non-compact states, licensure by endorsement remains your pathway to practice, though it requires additional time and expense. Understanding this system empowers you to make strategic career decisions about where you live, work, and serve patients.
What’s your experience with nursing licensure across state lines? Share your story in the comments below—your insights could help fellow nurses navigate this complex process!
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