Nursing compact states: a complete guide

Compact states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which lets eligible nurses obtain a multistate license from their primary state of residence. That license provides a privilege to practice in other compact jurisdictions, subject to each jurisdiction's nursing laws.
The current compact took effect in 2018 and is often called the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). Most U.S. states now participate, reducing the need for eligible nurses to apply for and maintain a separate license in every compact jurisdiction where they practice.

You may hear Nursing Compact, NLC, eNLC, and multistate license used together. On this page, “compact states” means jurisdictions where the current NLC is implemented.
A multistate license is issued by an eligible nurse's primary state of residence and provides practice privileges in other compact jurisdictions. Nurses who want to work in a jurisdiction outside the NLC must obtain the license that jurisdiction requires.

The NLC applies to Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs). Rhode Island rejoined the compact and completed implementation in January 2024.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) use a separate compact. The APRN Compact will become effective after seven states enact it; until then, APRNs must follow each state's licensing requirements. Federal and military nurses may be covered by different rules, so confirm your situation with the relevant licensing board or employer.

To obtain a compact nursing license and work as a nurse in a compact state, you must have proof of residence (see below) and a current, active nursing license in that same compact state. With a compact license, you can practice (physically or via telehealth) in any other participating compact states without needing to obtain another license (this saves tons of time and money keeping up with new state licensure and renewals).

The primary state of residence (PSOR) is the state (also known as the home state) in which you declare your primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify your primary residence may include a driver’s license, federal income tax return, or voter registration. PSOR refers to legal residency status and does not pertain to home or property ownership. Therefore, only one state can be designated as the primary state of legal residence for eNLC purposes.
Note: upgrading from a state nursing license to a multi-state nursing license does not happen automatically; you must actively apply. If your home state was part of the original NLC, and you previously held a multi-state license, you do not have to pay an additional fee to transfer it to an eNLC license. A new compact license will be issued as long as you’re eligible.

First, confirm that your state is an active compact state. Check with the NCSBN to make sure your state is participating and not pending joining the eNLC. Remember, a PSOR is your primary state of legal residence proven via your driver’s license, voter registration card, or federal income tax return. You can only have one primary state of residency. Homeownership does not equal residency!

Meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements for a Multi-state License

Confirm your state is an active compact state (refer to step 1 above.)

Either have graduated from a board-certified education program or an international education program that has been approved by the respective nation’s accrediting body and an independent review agency.

Passed an English proficiency /TOEFL exam (if English is not your native tongue).

Passed the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN.

Eligible for or holding an active license (e.g., no active disciplinary actions).

Submitted state and federal fingerprint-based background checks.

Not convicted or found guilty of a felony.

Have no misdemeanors or convictions related to the practice of nursing.

Not currently a participant in an alternative program.

Required to disclose any current participation in an alternative program.

Has a valid United States Social Security number.

If all of the above criteria are met, you can go to your state board of nursing website to upgrade your license (simply follow the provided instructions for the “eNLC Upgrade Application” or “Apply for a multi-state license” options). You’ll find that having confirmed (a) through (k) above will make applying virtually painless. Once your application is reviewed and accepted, you will receive your eNLC license in the mail. Check with your state BON for how long it will take to arrive.

Plan ahead if you are permanently moving from one compact state to another compact state. You can work in the new compact state using your current multi-state license until you apply and receive your new multi-state license. You should apply by endorsement for your new compact license as soon as you know you will be moving or immediately after your move to allow time for processing.

Once you receive your new PSOR compact license, your previous compact license will be made inactive. You should notify the BON in your former home state of your new address. Your new multi-state license will allow you to work in all other compact states as long as you remain registered in your current PSOR.

If you live in a non-compact state, you must obtain nursing licenses for each and every state in which you desire to work. Doing so can be time-consuming, so it is good to get started as soon as you know you may need a nursing license from a prospective state. You won’t be able to practice in the new state until you have its single-state license or a temporary license if they offer it.

You can hold multiple single-state licenses all at one time. However, each license is only valid for its respective state. In addition, you must renew each state license on the schedule each state requires and meet any continuing education requirements for each state, though your CEUs may be used to meet multiple states’ requirements.

If your state becomes a compact state and has enacted the eNLC legislation, follow the steps above in “If your current PSOR is a compact state.”

The official eNLC body strongly recommends that you join the Nursys e-Notify system, which will update you with any real-time changes to the eNLC system.
This is particularly useful for travel nurses. Furthermore, in terms of Continuing Education (CE) contact hours, you are beholden to the requirements in your home state, the state that issued your compact license.
Trusted can help you track your CEUs.

Registered nurses (RN) or licensed nurses (LPN/VN) are only considered to be moving to a new state if they have the intent to stay (i.e., you are not just taking a temporary travel nursing assignment for a few months). Moving means you are changing your primary state of residency (PSOR) and changing the state affiliated with your license. So, if you move from one compact state to another, you will need to have your new state issue a new multi-state license.
If you're a nurse with a multistate license and you're planning to move to another state within the Nursing Licensure Compact, you have 60 days from the time you establish your new residence to apply for a multistate license in that state. This guideline, set by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), helps ensure a seamless transition in your licensure status.
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You can even start the process before you have a permanent address in that state. Employers are required to have appropriately licensed nurses working for them. While nurses are given an allotted time to apply and receive their new license to be compliant, sometimes the process can get delayed. Some states do offer temporary licenses if needed.
As explained below in Most Common Moving Scenarios, you must apply by endorsement to update your compact nursing license to be issued by your new state.

It’s your responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement in your new state of residence. You can apply for your multi-state license before or after you move, but it will not be issued until you actually arrive and the state can verify it has officially become your primary state of residence. If you hold a single-state license from a non-compact state prior to moving, it will not be affected and remains active until it’s up for renewal.

Again, it’s your responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement in your new state of residence, which can be done before or after you move. When you change your primary state of residence to your new one, your previous multi-state license will become a single-state license tied to your prior primary state of residence. After receiving your new multi-state license, you must notify the BON in your previous state of your new address.

If you are changing your primary state of residence from one compact state to another, it’s your responsibility to apply for licensure and endorsement. First, you must change your legal declaration of your primary state of residence to the new state, which requires an updated driver’s license, voter registration, etc. You must initiate the application process in the new state within 60 days of relocating. You will, however, be able to practice with your old compact state license until the multi-state license in your new state is issued.

If you have a visa from a country outside of the United States that allows you to work in the U.S., but you are not planning to move here permanently, you would not be able to obtain a compact license.
You would only be eligible to get a single state license.If you have permanently moved from the country that was your residence to a compact state, you must meet all the compact license requirements in order to obtain one. It is best to check with the BON of your new residence before you apply or to contact CGFNS International if you have further questions.

For example, if you live in Kansas City, KS, and choose to commute to work in Kansas City, MO, you need to hold a nursing license from Kansas state, as that is your primary state of residence. In this case, both states are compact states, but your PSOR is Kansas, not Missouri. Therefore, your state of residence supersedes your state of work.

Suppose you are a military spouse and plan to maintain a primary state of residence in one compact state, but your spouse is stationed in another compact state. In that case, you can practice in the second compact state for as long as your spouse is stationed there. You do not need to apply for a compact license in the second state.
However, if you obtain a driver's license or register to vote in the second state, that changes which state is your PSOR. You then would need to change your multi-state license to this new state.

Moving isn't easy, but if you're looking to get the most out of your nursing career—particularly in terms of nursing salaries or job opportunities— the most strategic thing you can do is to move to a state that has enacted the eNLC. As we've mentioned, there are a slew of benefits to making your PSOR a compact state.
Even if you're not currently a travel nurse or don't think you'll ever become one, knowing that the flexibility is there if you ever need it can be a huge win. As we've witnessed throughout the recent pandemic, you never know when you'll be asked (or choose to go) across state lines.
Hopefully, over time, more states will join the eNLC, but until then, you can make a choice to receive the benefits of living in a compact state.
Continue on to view the most frequently asked questions surrounding compact nursing licensure.