As you’re mapping your travel nurse journey, consider the perks of compact nursing licenses, which allow you to work in multiple states without needing to obtain additional state licenses. That’s one to-do you can cross off your list, as long as where you’re practicing is included in the states covered by the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). More than 40 states and territories are included, but there is a catch to obtaining it, and that is you must be a resident of one of the states that offer compact nursing licenses.
Requirements to Apply for Compact Nursing License
- Resident of a compact state which is defined as having a driver’s license and being registered to vote.
- Actively licensed as an RN or LPN.
- Meet requirements for licensing in your home state.
Once you meet these requirements, you can apply for licensure by taking an exam, receiving authorization to test (ATT) in that state, passing the NCLEX®, and meeting all multistate licensure requirements. As long as your home state doesn’t change, the license is valid in all compact states. If you take a contract in a noncompact state, you will need to apply for a single state license. If you move to a noncompact state, you must apply for a new license in the state and may lose the benefits of the compact.
Perks of Compact Nursing Licenses
Travel nurses in particular are fans of compact nursing licenses because it saves you the time, cost, and hassle of having to get licensed in every state where you want to work. You will also be able to easily transition between assignments in different states which can set you apart from other candidates.You can start new assignments more quickly as you won’t need to wait for additional state licenses to be approved. Additionally, more job opportunities await you because you can work in multiple states with one license and the credentialing process is simplified.
Compact Nursing License States – Source
(as of September 2024)
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- 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 (Partial implementation)
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Virgin Islands (eNLC enacted, awaiting implementation)
- Washington
- West Virginia (Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse)
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
As long as you maintain your residence in a compact state and follow guidelines, you can travel to any compact state and work. There are currently 42 states and territories included with others pending, so there is a lot of choice of where you can work!
At AB Staffing, we work with healthcare facilities nationwide so having a compact nursing license will benefit you as you search for jobs. You won’t be limited like those who are licensed in fewer places and will stand out from the candidate pool with your compact nursing license.
For more information, please visit the AB Staffing Job Board. We look forward to working with you!