Travel nursing allows you freedom to work when and where you want. And with a compact nursing license, you can practice in 36 states without having to obtain new licensure. Talk about freedom! Here’s what you need to know about compact nursing licenses, what states qualify, how to get one, and more!
What is a compact nursing license?
There are two main types of nurse state licensing: single-state and multi-state. A multi-state nursing license—also known as compact license, NLC, or eNLC—is an agreement between states allowing a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurses (LPN), or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) to practice and provide healthcare in any of the compact nursing states without obtaining new licensure.
The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) was established to help RNs, LPNs, and LVNs travel to and from eligible states without having to obtain new licenses. Unfortunately, not every U.S. state participates in the eNLC, which makes things a little more complicated for travel nurses.
While a multi-state license allows nurses to provide care in multiple states, a single-state license permits professional travel nurses to work in a non-NLC state. In other words, if the state you live in isn’t included in the NLC legislature, you’ll need a single-state license to practice nursing. The catch is you’ll need a single-state license in every state you work in, even those that are compact.
Why is the nurse licensure compact important for nurses?
There are many advantages of multi-state nursing licenses. Not only do compact licenses save time, money, and energy with less paperwork and application fees, but multi-state licenses also provide nurses with more mobility and unique environments to learn and practice important healthcare skills. Additional compact licensing benefits for nurses include:
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A simplified process to work in multiple states
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The ability to practice via telehealth or telenursing in other states
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The capability to respond to national disasters and staffing shortages in other compact nursing states
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Qualifications to teach via distance-learning in compact states
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The allowance of military spouse nurses to seamlessly continue working without the hassle of new licensing each time they relocate
How does the nursing compact benefit the healthcare system?
However, professional nurses aren’t the only ones who profit from multi-state licenses. In fact, there are several perks of NLC states:
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Increases access to healthcare while maintaining public protection at the state level
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Supports efficient and strong healthcare delivery
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Greater access to a wider variety of more mobile and logistically available nurses
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Promotes travel nursing and per diem shifts across state lines
What states are in the nursing compact?
There are currently 39 out of 50 states that have enacted NLC legislation. Here’s a list of nurse compact states and states where the NLC has been enacted but is awaiting implementation:
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Guam (Partial implementation*)
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Ohio (Implementation date: 1/1/2023)
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Pennsylvania (Awaiting implementation)
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Virgin Islands (Awaiting implementation)
*Guam has a partial implementation of the NLC. This means nurses with active NLC licenses may practice in Guam, but nurses with Guam as their primary state of residency can’t apply for a compact license until the NLC is fully implemented in Guam in 2022.
States with pending legislation for the NLC
Although most of the U.S. regions are in the nursing licensure compact, there are some with legislation pending still. Those states include:
States with no pending NLC legislation
These remaining states currently don’t have any pending legislation for the NLC:
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Alaska
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American Samoa
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California
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Connecticut
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District of Columbia
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Hawaii
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Oregon
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Minnesota
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Nevada
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Washington
Check back here for real-time updates on NLC legislation.
How do I apply for a compact state nursing license?
To be eligible for a compact license, your primary residence must be in a NLC state, and you must have an active license as an RN, LPN, or LVN. To maintain your multi-state license, you’re required to meet continuing education (CE) requisites in your primary state of residence.
These are the standardized licensure requirements for a compact license to determine compact license eligibility:
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Meets the requirements for licensure in their state of residency
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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)
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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)
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Has passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN Examination or predecessor exam
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Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license
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Has submitted to state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks
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Has no state or federal felony convictions
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Has no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing
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Is not currently a participant in an alternative program
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Is required to self-disclose current participation in an alternative program
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Has a valid United States Social Security number
Since some licensure requirements vary by state, you’ll use the state board of nursing application for licensure by exam or by endorsement, as outlined on your board of nursing’s website. The fees will depend on the state of your primary residency. Here are the steps to apply for a multi-state license after you meet the above requirements:
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Prove you live in a compact nursing state by providing either a valid driver's license, federal income tax return, or voter registration
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Obtain a single state nursing license in the state in which you reside
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Log into your state board of nursing website
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Search for “eNLC Upgrade Application”
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Follow the online steps to apply for a multi-state license
Once your application has been reviewed and approved, you’ll receive your eNLC license in the mail.
What are different moving scenarios?
The process and eligibility requirements for compact licenses can be confusing when you change your primary residence. Here are different moving scenarios you may encounter as a nurse and how they'll affect your licenses.
Non-compact state to a compact state
If you’re moving from a non-NLC state to a NLC state, you must apply for licensure in your new state of residence before or after you move. You can’t apply for a nurse compact license until you hold a state license in your new state.
Begin this process as soon as possible because individual state licenses typically take longer to be issued than compact licenses. Once you have your state license, you may apply for a compact license in that state. Your single-state license issued by the non-NLC state you previously resided in won’t be affected.
Compact state to a non-compact state
If you’re moving from a NLC state to a non-NLC state, you’ll need to apply for licensure in your new state before or after you move. Your prior compact license will be changed to a single state license for your state of previous residence. You will also need to notify your previous Board of Nursing of your relocation.
Compact state to a compact state
If you’re moving from a compact state to another compact state, you’ll need to apply for a compact nurse license in your new state before or after you move. You may use your old license to practice in your new location until your new license is issued. Your old compact license will be void once your new compact license is activated.
Other compact nursing license FAQs:
There are a lot of details to remember about nursing licensure and with the fine print often comes questions. These are some of the top travel nursing licensure questions plus their answers.
Q: How long does it take to get a compact nursing license?
A: The review process and issuance time for each state varies. For real-time notifications about updates to the NLC such as compact status, expiration dates, renewal requirements, and disciplinary actions, sign up for Nursys eNotify System.
Q: How do I get a multi-state license if I live in a non-compact state?
A: You can’t get a multi-state license if you live in a non-NLC state. Nurses residing in a non-NLC state are limited to single-state licenses that are valid in that specific state only.
Q: What classifies a state as my primary state of residence?
A: Your primary state of residence refers to the location where you hold a valid driver’s license, pay federal income tax, and/or vote.
Q: I’m a new grad. Where should I apply for my license?
A: If you’re a new grad, you can apply for license after you take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to test your nursing skills. You can enroll and take the NCLEX in any state, regardless of where you want to practice or live. Once you’ve passed that exam, you can then apply for licensure by exam or authorization to test (ATT), in the state where you plan to reside.
Q: If I hold a compact license that was part of the NLC do I need to reapply for a compact license as a part of the eNLC?
A: If you hold a compact license that was part of the NLC, you were grandfathered into the new eNLC. Only if your state decided to leave the eNLC would your compact license no longer be valid.
Q: If I hold a valid state nursing license in a compact state, does it automatically equal a multi-state license?
A: If you hold a single state license in a compact state, it doesn’t automatically qualify as a compact license. You will need to apply to “upgrade” your single state license to a multi-state license.
Q: If I hold a compact license, can I practice nursing in another compact state that I do not live in?
A: If you hold a compact license, you can practice in another compact state, regardless of where you live. That’s what’s so great about having a compact license!
Q: I own a home in a compact state, but I live in a non-NLC state. Do I qualify for a compact license?
A: If you own a home in a compact state but your primary residence is in a non-compact, you don’t qualify for a compact license. You must physically reside in a compact state, regardless of where you own property, to qualify for a multi-state license.
The ins and outs of compact nursing states can be complex, but with this guide, you can easily obtain your licenses, and get back to the thing you love to do most: nursing. Keep track of your licenses and certifications through a Fusion Marketplace profile and enjoy a more streamlined process to landing your dream travel job placement.
