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The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) began on January 19, 2018, but most nurses simply refer to it as the Compact. Under the eNLC, registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs) living in states that have joined the Compact can apply for one multistate license and practice in person or via telehealth in any state that’s also part of the Compact.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), 41 U.S. states or territories have enacted legislation to join the eNLC as of April 2024.
Which States Are in the eNLC?
Although 41 states or U.S. territories have enacted the NLC, only 38 states have fully implemented it. Nurse graduates and current RNs or LPN/LVNs must apply with the State Board of Nursing in their primary state of residence (PSOR) to obtain a Compact license, also called a multistate license. Nurses who obtain or already have a multistate license can practice in any of the following 38 states that have fully implemented the eNLC on a single license.
Source: NCSBN (4/25/2024)
Of the remaining jurisdictions, Pennsylvania and Guam have enacted legislation to join the Compact and partially implemented the eNLC. The U.S. Virgin Islands has enacted legislation to join the Compact but is awaiting implementation.
- Pennsylvania: The governor of Pennsylvania signed the NLC into law on 7/1/2021 to begin the process of adding the state to the Compact, but full implementation has yet to occur. Nurses holding an active, unencumbered multistate license from another state were allowed to begin practicing in the state on September 5, 2023. Also, if they held a single-state Pennsylvania license, they no longer needed to renew it. However, RNs or LPN/LVNs who reside in Pennsylvania can’t apply for a multistate nursing license until the state completes the implementation process and full implementation occurs. An implementation date is currently unknown but will be posted on the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing site when this date becomes available.
- Guam: The governor of Guam signed the NLC into law on 3/5/2021, making it the first U.S. territory to enact the eNLC. The territory partially implemented the eNLC allowing nurses with multistate licenses from any Compact state to practice in Guam. However, nurses residing in Guam can’t obtain a multistate license until it fully implements the eNLC. Full implementation was tentatively scheduled to occur in 2022. As of April 2024, Guam remains listed as partially implemented with an implementation date unknown at this time. The Guam Board of Nurse Examiners will post or publicize this date when it becomes available.
- U.S. Virgin Islands: The governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands signed the NLC into law on 12/6/2021. It’s currently awaiting implementation of criminal background checks through the FBI. The USVI Board of Nurse Licensure (VIBNL) hasn’t announced an implementation date at this time. Until then, nurses holding a multistate license can’t practice in the U.S. Virgin Islands without obtaining an endorsement through the VIBNL. Plus, nurses residing in the U.S. Virgin Islands can’t apply for multistate licenses until full implementation goes into effect. VIBNL will post or publicize an implementation date when one becomes available.
States with Pending Legislation
As of April 2024, the following nine states and Washington, D.C. had legislation in play regarding the enactment of the eNLC:
- Alaska: Senate Bill 130 was introduced on 4/17/2023 and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee on 5/3/2023 and House Bill 149 was introduced on 3/31/2023 and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee on 4/28/2023. New co-sponsors were added to HB149 in January 2024, but a decision hasn’t been made as of this writing.
- California: Assembly Bill 3232 was introduced on 02/16/2024 and read for the first time. It was referred to the Committee on Business and Professions on March 11, 2024, and awaits further action.
- Connecticut: House Bill 5058 was introduced on 2/8/2024, with a public hearing on 3/6/2024. It was noted that the Joint was favorable to the bill on 3/11/2024 and it was filed with the Legislative Commissioner’s Office. HB5058 was referred to the Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis on 3/25/2024. Following a favorable report, it was tabled for the calendar. On 4/18/2024, the House passed it as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A 4103 and sent it to the Senate. Following a favorable report, it was tabled for the Senate calendar and currently remains with the Senate as of 4/25/2024.
UPDATE: The Governor of Connecticut signed the NLC into law on May 30, 2024, making Connecticut the 42nd jurisdiction to enact the Compact. However, the legislation doesn’t go into effect until October 1, 2025, and the state must complete the implementation process. This process can take 1 to 2 years and a prospective implementation date hasn’t been set yet.
- Hawaii: House Bill 667 was introduced on 1/23/2023 and referred to the House Committees on Labor & Government Operations, Health & Homelessness and Consumer Protection & Commerce on 1/27/2023. The companion Senate Bill 670 was introduced on 1/23/203 and referred to the Senate Committees on Health & Human Services and Commerce & Consumer Protection on 1/25/2023. Both were carried over to the 2024 Regular Session.
- Illinois: House Bill 1622 was introduced on 2/1/2023 and re-referred to the Rules Committee on 3/10/2023, with a Chief Co-Sponsor added on 3/24/2023, two new Co-Sponsors added on 8/18/2023, another added in October 2023 and two more added in April 2024. The corresponding Senate Bill 0041 was introduced on 1/20/2023 and referred to the Assignments Committee on 1/20/2023 and assigned to the Licensed Activities Committee on 1/31/2023, where it was postponed on 2/23/2023 and 3/9/2023, then re-referred to the Assignments Committee on 3/31/2023. The last movement on SB0041 was a Co-Sponsor added on 6/21/2023.
- Massachusetts: House Bill 1251 covering Massachusetts joining the eNLC was filed on 1/14/2023 and referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing on 2/16/2023, as was Senate Bill 747. On 3/28/2024, the House extended the reporting date to July 3, 2024, for both HB1251 and SB747, and the Senate concurred on 4/11/2024. On a completely opposite trajectory, Senate Bill 795 (filed on 1/13/2023) and House Bill 1193 (filed on 1/18/2023) focused on maintaining independent authority over nurse licensure in the commonwealth. Both of these bills were also referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing on 2/16/2023 and had the reporting date extended to July 3, 2024.
UPDATE: The Governor of Massachusetts signed the NLC into law on November 20, 2024, making Massachusetts the 43rd jurisdiction to enact the Compact. After Connecticut’s Governor signed legislation to join the compact in May 2024, Massachusetts became the lone holdout among the New England states. The state must complete the implementation process, which can take 1 to 2 years, and a prospective implementation date hasn’t been set yet.
- Michigan: House Bill 4935 was introduced on 8/24/2023 and referred to the Committee on Health Policy, where it has remained as of April 25, 2024. A similar bill, House Bill 4046, was introduced on 1/27/2021 during the 2021-2022 session, but it was actually a reintroduced bill identical to House Bill 4042 introduced in 2020. HB 4042 passed both chambers of the Michigan Legislature and was sent to the governor, who vetoed it on December 30, 2020.
- Minnesota: House File 1005 was introduced on 1/30/2/03 and referred to the Health Finance and Policy Committee. The companion Senate File 3281 was introduced on 4/19/2023 and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee. While there hasn’t been any further movement on SF 3281, a new Author was added to HF 1005 on 4/2/2024.
- New York: Assembly Bill 3391 introduced on 2/2/2023 would enact the Medical Licensure Compact and the Nurse Licensure Compact, and is the new version of the last session’s Assembly Bill A10559. The current bill was active and with the Assembly Higher Education Committee as of 4/25/2024. Senate Bill 6873 introduced on 5/12/2023 would adopt the interstate nurse licensure Compact and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Compact, similar to last session’s Senate Bill S9236. The current bill was active and with the Senate Higher Education Committee as of 4/25/2024. Various versions of these bills have been introduced every session since 2009.
- Washington, D.C.: Bill 25-430 (District of Columbia Nurse Licensure Compact Authorization Act of 2023) was introduced on 7/13/2023 and referred to the Committee of the Whole on 9/19/2023, with comments from the Committee on Health, then re-referred to the Committee on Health. The re-referral was published on 9/22/2023, with nothing new to report as of 4/25/2024. Previously, the District of Columbia was hesitant to adopt the NLC due to fears of losing much of its licensure fees, but the acute nursing shortage in the District, poor patient outcomes and the large number of states already part of Compact have prompted a change of heart among some Council Members.
Where Do the Rest of the States and Territories Stand?
Some states hesitate to join the eNLC because it could lead to budget gaps for its nursing board, especially if it’s self-funded. These gaps might occur because out-of-state nurses currently paying for a single state license to practice in the non-Compact state could utilize their Compact license if the state joined the eNLC. Some states could potentially lose the funds from thousands of licenses issued to non-resident nurses. There are also concerns over the cost of joining the Compact and the potentially high cost of implementing necessary technology changes. However, the number of states still holding out has significantly dwindled.
As of April 2024, only two states and two U.S. territories didn’t have any pending legislation regarding the eNLC, though they’ve each previously tried to pass legislation, including:
- Nevada: Assembly Bill 108 was introduced on 2/3/2023 and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor. The primary sponsor was the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor, which held a hearing on 4/7/2023 where it heard testimony in support of and opposition to adopting the NLC. Public opinion as of May 2023, was 74% for and 25% against. However, no further action is allowed on this bill and nothing new has been introduced as of April 2024.
- Oregon: House Bill 2408 was introduced on 1/9/2023 and referred to the Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee on 1/11/2023, which held a public hearing on 2/20/2023 to hear testimony. On 5/9 and 5/17 the motion to withdraw from the Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee failed. House Bill 2748 was introduced on 1/9/2023 and referred to the Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee on 1/13/2023. As of April 2024, both bills remained in committee upon adjournment on 6/25 and no new legislation is pending.
- American Samoa: Nothing pending
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Nothing pending
Note: Unlike the other U.S. territories, Puerto Rico is only an associate member of the NCSBN and isn’t an eNLC jurisdiction. Thus, it can’t join the Compact.
How Do Nurses Qualify for a Compact License?
Eligibility for a Compact license begins with living in a Compact state, and according to the NCSBN, more than 2 million nurses do. You can’t apply for a multistate license if your declared PSOR isn’t part of the eNLC. Your PSOR is where you have legal resident status, which is the state where you obtain your driver’s license, register to vote and pay income taxes.
Meeting the requirements for licensure in your home state is one of the 11 uniform licensure requirements of obtaining a Compact license. Other requirements include graduating from a board-approved education program, passing the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN and passing an English proficiency exam if your nursing program didn’t teach classes and use books in the English language.
You must also be eligible for or have an unencumbered nursing license, submit state and federal background checks and have a valid Social Security number. You can’t have any felony convictions or any nursing-related misdemeanor convictions, and you can’t be currently participating in an alternative program. RNs and LPN/LVNs who don’t meet the uniform licensure requirements may still be eligible for a single-state license, depending on their state’s rules.
Licensure In Compact and Non-Compact States
If your PSOR is a non-Compact state, you must apply for a single-state license. Travel nurses with a single-state license must apply for licensure by endorsement if they take a temporary job in another state. If you receive licensure by endorsement in a state that’s part of the eNLC, your endorsement is still only valid in that state. You can’t use an endorsement from a Compact state as a multistate license even though an eNLC state issued it because it’s not your PSOR. You can’t apply for a multistate license in a state that’s not your PSOR, but you can have as many single-state licenses as you want.
If you hold a multistate license and you’re taking a temporary job in a non-Compact state, you must apply for licensure by endorsement to the non-Compact state’s board of nursing. You receive a single-state license that’s good to practice in that state only. Your multistate license remains valid and usable in any other Compact state as long as you keep it current and don’t do anything to inadvertently change your residency status, such as renewing your driver’s license in a state that’s not your PSOR. As of January 2, 2024, Nurses who permanently move from one Compact state to another must apply for licensure in their new PSOR within 60 days.
RELATED: Understanding Travel Nurse Residency Rules
What About the APRN Compact?
Source: NCSBN (04/25/2024)
Advanced practice nurses may have the same ability to travel between states like RNs and LPN/LVNs someday, but the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact has gotten off to an extremely slow start and now seems to be going backward regarding support. Without the APRN Compact, certified nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists must hold individual licenses in every state where they practice because they can’t practice as an APRN on an eNLC license.
RELATED: What’s the Difference Between the eNLC and the APRN Licensure Compacts?
The NCSBN developed a model for states to enact the APRN, adopted on August 12, 2020, that works similarly to the eNLC. However, the APRN Compact can’t be implemented until seven states have enacted legislation. As of April 2024, only these four states have adopted the APRN Compact:
- North Dakota (adopted on 8/12/2020)
- Delaware (signed into law on 8/4/2021)
- Utah (signed into law on 3/24/2022)
- South Dakota (signed into law on 2/5/2024)
Although seven states had pending legislation to adopt the APRN Compact in 2023, that legislation failed. Those states included:
- Arizona (SB1334)
- Hawaii (SB321)
- Kentucky (HB108) (Withdrawn on 2/9/2023)
- Maryland (HB475 / SB439)
- Montana (HB409)
- New York (SB6873)
- Texas (HB4404)
As of April 2024, only Arizona (SB1295) and Maryland (HB425 and SB359) had pending legislation to join the APRN Compact.
Benefits of the Nurse Licensure Compact
The eNLC creates the possibility for an increased workforce, enables the continuation of patient care across state lines and resolves telehealth issues. It allows nurses to work in multiple states with one license, promoting greater nurse mobility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this mobility greatly benefited states needing additional bedside nurses.
Nurses benefit from having more freedom to move around without the expense of paying for separate licenses, making it easier for them to go where they’re needed most. In the event of catastrophic natural or manmade disasters or public health crises, nurses from multiple states can quickly and efficiently respond.
It’s also beneficial to state nursing boards because they can more easily share information, including complaints and investigations. Multistate licensing also reduces the administrative tasks of licensing traveling nurses, making it quicker and easier to take on new nurses who already hold a multistate license.
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Hello, thank you for this informative article. I recently obtained an RN license in CA (non-compact) but recently relocated in DC. I’m in the process of obtaining DC (non-compact) license by endorsement. I heard DC has pending compact application…if that gets approved, will my DC license be a compact license? Can I then move to VA (compact) and work there using my DC license? Thank you and appreciate your input on this.
Hello Maria and thanks for reaching out! Bill 25-430 was introduced in July 2023 in an attempt to get the Compact approved in Washington, D.C. However, that bill hasn’t been approved as of October 7, 2024. Until that, or another bill, passes and is signed by the governor, D.C. remains a non-compact U.S. territory. Should D.C. become part of the Compact, currently licensed nurses usually must apply to convert their single state license to a multistate Compact license. However, the process for doing this varies in each jurisdiction. Keep an eye on this blog for further developments as we update it periodically as new states join.
Thanks this is very helpfull.
Is there anything like this for Pharmacists?
Hello Cecilia and thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, there currently isn’t a multistate licensure compact for pharmacists. However, various professional organizations and state regulatory agencies are working on trying to get one implemented. One of the most notable is the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). In June of 2022, the NABP passed a resolution to examine the feasibility of creating a system to allow interstate travel through a multistate licensure compact. Also, in 2019, Idaho became the first state to try to enable multistate pharmacy practice by passing a bill that said pharmacists licensed in a state that enters a mutual recognition agreement with Idaho’s Board of Pharmacy didn’t have to obtain a license or registration in Idaho to practice pharmacy or provide pharmacy services to Idaho residents. As of February 2022, no state had entered into a mutual recognition agreement with Idaho, though several had considered the proposal. This article may be of interest to you: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-challenge-of-multistate-pharmacy-licensure-in-the-telehealth-era.
Hello Mrs. McGhee I see that New York have passed 4 bills do you know how many more bills they need to pass to become part of the compact nursing licensing. And how this may take. I believe they started this process in the beginning of 2022
Hello Vondelle and thanks for reaching out! The New York State Legislature has introduced several bills in both the Assembly and the Senate, but none have actually passed so far. The newest bills were introduced in early 2023 and once again referred to the Higher Education Committee within the Assembly and the Senate. Until a bill fully passes both sides of the Legislature, the State can’t join the Nurse Licensure Compact. If/when New York State passes the necessary legislature and can take the next steps to enact the Compact, Vivian will update this state’s information to let our readers know. We wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors!
Hi, I live in Illinois and maintain licenses in 2 other states, such a hassle! What is the hold up in Illinois? What is the advantage to not passing this? I’ve been patiently waiting forever!
Hello Tammy, and thanks for reaching out! Although legislation has been introduced several times to approve the Nurse Licensure Compact in Illinois, these bills have failed thus far. Part of the holdup could be that certain groups oppose the NLC. Previously, the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) opposed it because they see the Compact as taking jobs away from local nurses and have concerns over losing collective bargaining power when labor negotiations aren’t working out.
On the flip side, groups like the American Nursing Association-Illinois (ANA-Illinois) and the Illinois Society for Advanced Nursing support the NLC. These groups argue that the Compact makes it more affordable for nurses to practice across state borders, serving more patients without obtaining additional licenses.
If you’d like to support the passing of the NLC in Illinois, the ANA-Illinois suggests sending a letter to your local legislators letting them know that you support the Compact. Please see its website (https://www.il-nurses.com/nlc/) for more details.
This article was extremely informative and literally answered ALL of my questions and then some pertaining to the how a state becomes compact. Thank you.
Do they do this for CNA’s as well?
Hello Brenda and thanks for reaching out. Although there isn’t currently a nurse licensure compact for CNAs, most states offer reciprocity, which means they let you transfer your certification without completing another state-approved CNA program. Some offer reciprocity for free, but most charge a fee, which varies by state. Each state also has different requirements regarding reciprocity, so you must visit the State Board of Nursing to learn its current requirements. Check back next month for our blog post on CNA licensure and reciprocity requirements for each state that we’re working on as a quick reference for CNAs across the nation.
How to apply compact license.
Hello Imelda and thanks for reaching out. If you currently live in one of the compact states, contact your State Nursing Board, and they can provide the information you need to apply for a compact license if you qualify. You can get started by visiting our state licensing pages found here: https://www.vivian.com/licensing/ to explore licensing information and help locate your state’s nursing board. If you have any questions about our website, please feel free to use the “Contact Vivian” option under the Resources tab to reach our 24/7 help desk for further assistance.
Excellent resource for travel RNs , please keep us updated. I have been traveling for over 5 years in the cardiac cath lab. Love the idea of helping out and bring teams together to deliver safe care. Thirty two years an RN and have not looked back. Practiced in New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and America.
What about certified Clinical Medical Assistant ? Does Vivian place them in travel assignments?
Hello Tabitha and thanks for reaching out! Yes, Vivian currently has several travel medical assistant jobs posted on our jobs board, found here: https://www.vivian.com/allied-health/medical-assistant/travel/ and about half of them were posted this week. As a jobs marketplace, we work with travel agencies throughout the nation. Our goal is to help make your job search quicker and easier than ever! If you have any questions about our website, please feel free to use the “Contact Vivian” option under the Resources tab to reach our 24/7 help desk for further assistance. We wish you the best of luck finding your next healthcare position and hope we can help with your search!
Do u have jobs in Kansas City and Missouri
Hello Deborah and thanks for reaching out! Yes, Vivian currently has over 2,000 travel nursing jobs in Kansas City, Missouri, which you can find here: https://www.vivian.com/nursing/travel/kansas-city-mo/ and more than 6,900 jobs throughout the State of Missouri, which you can find here: https://www.vivian.com/nursing/travel/missouri/. You can also browse by discipline and location from the jobs boards, found here: https://www.vivian.com/browse-jobs/landing/. If you have any questions about our website, please feel free to use the “Contact Vivian” option under the Resources tab to reach our 24/7 help desk for further assistance. We wish you the best of luck finding your next healthcare position and hope we can make your search quicker and easier!
Excellent article. This was definitely a great read!
Hello,
What about CNA’S compact license ?
Hello Cherine and thanks for reaching out! Currently, there isn’t a compact license for CNAs. However, many states have reciprocity agreements, meaning if you’re certified in another state, the state lets you transfer your certification. The National Association of Health Care Assistants has a good list of state requirements on its website, and if you’re a travel CNA, your recruiter should help you with any licensing requirements. If you have any questions about our website, please feel free to use the “Contact Vivian” option under the Resources tab to reach our 24/7 help desk for further assistance.
Thanks for the information very very helpful
Great information on NLC, we need more!And we need a central location where this information is spread amongst the TRAVEL Nursing Profession. I have worked 32 years as a Nurse and I am now so excited to be able to work as a Free Agent. Let’s band together and be Travel “Strong”.