Transferring between states as a travel nurse can either be a paperwork nightmare or a seamless transition. Not to mention the price of multiple state licenses! That’s why the Nurse Licensure Compact recognizes nursing licenses between member states. Live and licensed in Idaho, but want to work in Maine? Your multi-state license is recognized and legitimized for you to work in right away*.

1. The 25

There are currently 25 states participating in the Compact. They are: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Search jobs in these states now. 

Traveling nurses: See which states recognize the NLC to make traveling far easier: Click To Tweet

2. Who is Eligible?*

In order to be eligible for a NLC license, one must:

  1. Legally reside in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state
  2. Hold an active RN or LPN/VN nursing license in good standing in the state of legal residence
  3. Declare the NLC state where one legally resides as primary state of residence
  4. Meet the licensure requirements in the home state
  5. Advanced practice registered nurses (ARPNs) are not included in this compact

Learn how to build the best resume for travel nursing jobs

3. What if my residency changes?

While the license is multi-state, permanent relocation to another Compact state requires obtaining licensure in the new state. Likewise, a license obtained in a Compact state that is not one’s primary state of residence is not mutually recognized by other NLC members.  (Learn More Here)

6 things you should know about the Nurse Licensure Compact if you're a #traveling #nurse Click To Tweet

4. Any Downsides?

Critics say there is a risk since there is no central licensing for the Compact. Outside of the Compact, each state licenses and disciplines its own nurses, but within the Compact, states entrust other states.

“While any state can make mistakes, in a single-state license system, the errors impact one state. By comparison, when a Compact state is slow to act or fails to share information, nurses suspected of negligence or misconduct remain free to work across nearly half the country.” -Genell Lee, head of Alabama’s nursing board, which is not part of the Compact.

5. Who’s Next?

Can’t wait for your state any longer? These states are in the works of becoming members within the next couple of years: Florida, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Interested in supporting your state in its hopes of becoming a future member? Check out your state’s nursing license website or visit communities on LinkedIn and Facebook to discuss action items and stay up to date on the process.

If your state doesn't participate in the NLC, it might be in the works to join! Take a look: Click To Tweet

Questions? Visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing here.

6. What’s the profession’s outlook?

Nursing jobs are in demand. Currently, there are 3 million nurses working in U.S. healthcare, (the largest segment of the healthcare workforce). However, despite that growth, demand is outpacing supply. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1.2 million vacancies will emerge for registered nurses between 2014 and 2022. (Source) It is a great time to be a nurse, become a nurse or get back into the workforce.  

Now What?

Working in a new state is as easy as applying for a job! Working as a travel nurse brings high pay, ample learning opportunities and constant adventure. Visit our job portal for the current listings of our jobs within Compact States here.

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