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INDUSTRY January 11, 2023

Compact Nursing States List 2023

By: Kathleen Gaines

News and Education Editor, MSN, RN, BA, CBC

Updated 1/11/2023

What are Compact Nursing States?

Compact nursing states refers 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.

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Which States are Compact Nursing

States (eNLC Members)?
Here’s a comprehensive listing of all states
currently impacted by multi-state compact
licensing.

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Guam (Guam is allowing nurses who
hold active, unencumbered, multi-
state licenses issued by Nurse
Licensure Compact member states to
practice in Guam under their multi-
state licenses.)
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana (Registered Nurse and
Practical Nurse)
Maine
Maryland
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania (Law passed and
awaiting implementation)
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Virgin Islands (Law passed and
awaiting implementation)
West Virginia (Registered Nurse and
Practical Nurse)
Wisconsin
Wyoming

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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Why are Nursing Compact States

Important?
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.

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What Do Nursing Compact States

Mean For Nurses?
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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States with Pending Legislation for

the eNLC
Alaska - SB 67
Illinois - HB 4269 and HB 4531
Massachusetts - HB 1284 and SB163
Michigan – HB 4046
Minnesota - HB 2184 and SB 2302
New York - AB 4841, A 9007 and SB
8007
Rhode Island - HB 7155, HB 7268
and SB 2472
Washington - SB 5247

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.

Washington once again has legislation

pending for the eNLC. Interestingly, this
has happened before however, it was
denied at the state level.

Washington specifically, is hoping to enact

the eNLC to curb the ongoing nursing
shortage. They are hoping this time the
legislation will stick. According to a WSHA
policy brief, from Feb. 1 to May 31, 2020,
59% of qualified nurses who applied for a
license in Washington were from an eNLC
state. However, opponents stated that
joining the eNLC will cut down on revenue
generated from single-state licenses but
also point to the current nursing shortage
issues in Washington are related to other
factors besides licensure. Washington has
had bills pending several times, hoping to
join the eNLC; however, legislators have
been unable to pass the laws.

States without Legislation for the

eNLC
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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Requirements for Nursing Compact

eNLC States
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:

Practice via telenursing in other

eNLC states
Respond to national disasters and
staffing shortages in other eNLC
states
Educators can teach via distance
learning in other eNLC states

Find Nursing Programs

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FAQs
Which state is easiest to get an
RN license?

Arizona offers a 48-hour

Emergency Temporary Nursing
License that both RNs and LPNs
can apply for.

Can California nurses get a

compact license?

California is not part of the

Nurse Licensure Compact.
However, nurses who live and
are licensed in CA can still
receive nursing licenses for
other states in which they wish
to work; they will need to apply
for individual nursing state
licenses in any state they want
to work in.

What state has the hardest

nursing boards?

All RNs must pass the NCLEX,

which is a national test. It does
not differ from state to state.

What states have unlimited

NCLEX attempts?

The NCSBN retake policy is that

potential nurses can take the
NCLEX up to 8 times per year,
with a minimum 45-day waiting
period in between.

How do I transfer my RN license

to California from another state?

If you are an RN from another

state who wants to work in
California, you will need to
apply for a CA nursing license.

Stay Informed
If you reside in any of the states affected,
you should stay updated on the latest
developments as individual state boards
begin the transition.

Here are a few helpful resources:

Official Website of the Nurse Licensure

Compact

Twitter - @NurseCompact

Facebook - nurselicensurecompact

NCSBN website

Nursys e-Notify

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