The Nurse Licensure Compact: Multistate License Explained
The Nurse Licensure Compact is an agreement among states that lets a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse hold one multistate license and practice in every other member state without applying for a separate license in each. It is administered through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and more than 40 jurisdictions now participate. For working nurses, travel nurses, and graduates of online programs that enroll students across state lines, the compact is one of the most consequential pieces of licensure law. This page explains what it is, how a multistate license works, and what it does not do.
The short answer
The Nurse Licensure Compact, often shortened to NLC, allows a nurse who lives in a member state to hold a single multistate license. That license authorizes practice in the nurse's home state and in all other member states, in person or by telehealth, without obtaining additional state-by-state licenses[1].
As of 2026, the official compact organization reports that 43 jurisdictions are part of the NLC, though not every jurisdiction that has enacted the legislation is at the same stage of implementation[1]. Because membership changes as more states join, the only reliable source for the current list is the official compact site.
How a multistate license works
A multistate license is not a separate credential you apply for on top of your regular license. It is the form your license takes when your situation qualifies.
The compact uses the concept of a primary state of residence. If your primary state of residence is an NLC member state, and you meet the licensure requirements, your RN or LPN license can be issued as a multistate license[1]. That one license then carries privilege to practice in the other member states.
The home-state principle has a practical consequence. If you move your primary residence from one compact state to another, you must apply for licensure in your new home state, and the compact sets a window for doing so. Nurses relocating between compact states are expected to apply for licensure in the new primary state of residence within 60 days[1].
Which jurisdictions are members
Compact membership has grown steadily, and the list is not static.
The official compact organization reports 43 jurisdictions as part of the NLC as of 2026[1]. Some of those jurisdictions have fully implemented the compact and are actively issuing multistate licenses, while others have enacted the legislation but are still in the implementation process[2].
A number of states are still not members. Because the list changes as legislatures act, this page does not publish a fixed roster. Before relying on compact privilege, check the official map for the current status of both your home state and any state where you plan to practice[2].
The Nurse Licensure Compact at a glance
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | An interstate agreement for one multistate nursing license |
| Who administers it | National Council of State Boards of Nursing |
| Jurisdictions participating | 43, as reported by the official compact organization in 2026 |
| Who qualifies | RNs and LPNs whose primary residence is a member state |
| Practice scope | Member states, in person or by telehealth |
| Moving between member states | Apply for licensure in the new home state within 60 days |
Membership changes as states join. Verify current status on the official compact site.
What the compact does not do
The compact is powerful, but it has clear limits, and misunderstanding them causes real problems.
It does not cover non-member states. If you want to practice in a state that is not in the compact, you still need that state's own license, regardless of your multistate license[2].
It does not change scope of practice. When you practice in another compact state under a multistate license, you practice under that state's nursing laws and rules. The compact governs licensure mobility, not the boundaries of practice.
It does not cover advanced practice as a single national grant. The compact applies to the RN and LPN license. Advanced-practice licensure is governed separately, and a multistate RN license does not by itself authorize advanced practice across state lines.
And it does not replace your obligation to verify. The compact reduces paperwork, but a nurse remains responsible for confirming that both states involved are current members before relying on the privilege.
Why this matters for online students
The compact is especially relevant if you are studying nursing online or considering an online program.
Online programs frequently enroll students who live in many different states, and where you will ultimately be licensed depends on your state of residence, not the school's location. The is an online nursing degree worth it page covers program selection, but the licensure side is where the compact matters. If you live in a compact state, a multistate license can make your post-graduation mobility much simpler.
It is also relevant for bridge students. If you are moving from practical to registered nursing through an LPN to RN online program, the license you earn after passing the NCLEX-RN can be issued as a multistate license if your home state is a compact member.
The licensure path always runs through the NCLEX. You become eligible to test by graduating from an approved program, you pass the NCLEX-RN, and your state board issues the license, which becomes a multistate license when your home state is in the compact.
Who should read a different page
A few readers need a different page.
If you are not yet licensed and your question is about the licensure exam itself, see the NCLEX explained and how to pass the NCLEX.
If your question is whether a specific online program is right for you, that is a program-selection question covered by the online nursing degree page.
And if you need a definitive answer on whether a particular state is a member today, or on how the compact applies to your specific licensure situation, the official compact organization and your state board of nursing are the authorities, not a comparison site.
Bottom line
The Nurse Licensure Compact lets a nurse whose primary residence is a member state hold a single multistate license and practice across all member states without separate applications[1]. The official compact organization reports 43 participating jurisdictions in 2026, with membership still expanding[2]. The compact does not cover non-member states, does not change scope of practice, and does not substitute for advanced-practice licensure. Because the list of members changes, always confirm current status before relying on it.
For the exam that precedes any license see the NCLEX explained; for online program selection see is an online nursing degree worth it. ScrubScope ranks programs by fit, and your state board of nursing makes every licensure decision.
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Sources
- Nurse Licensure Compact, NURSECOMPACT. 2026. https://www.nursecompact.com/
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Nurse Licensure Compact Map. 2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/NLC_Map.pdf