Having a compact license is ideal for travel nursing. In short, holding a compact LPN or RN nursing license allows nurses to practice in more than half of the country without having to worry about paying for or obtaining additional licensure for each individual state. If you’re someone who loves a challenge and changing scenery, holding a compact license can help increase the opportunities to advance your career via travel nursing.
Map Source: National Council of State Boards of Nursing
The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) is a nationally recognized, multi-state agreement that allows nurses, both LPNs and RNs, to use their license to practice in their home state as well as the 40+ states where the compact has been implemented.
As of 2024, 42 states/territories have enacted the compact. The most recent state to enact the compact was Connecticut. Gov. Lamont signed the legislation in May 2024. The implementation date is yet to be determined.
Under the NLC, nurses can provide care to patients throughout the United States without having to obtain additional licenses.
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If your primary residence is in one of the 42 compact states, and you’re already actively licensed as an LPN or RN, you are eligible to travel to and work in any compact state. Hooray!
To obtain a compact nursing license and work as a nurse in a compact state, you must have proof of residence in a compact state as well as a current, active nursing license in that state. With a compact license, you can practice (physically or via telehealth) in any of the other participating compact states without needing to obtain an additional license.
You must live in one of the compact states and claim it as your primary state of legal residence. You can prove primary residence (PSOR) in the state by using your driver's license, voter registration card, or federal income tax return.
You can only have one primary state of residency.
Important note: Homeownership does not automatically mean residency. Many people own properties in multiple states. But they still only have one primary residence.
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Ohio joined the compact states on January 1, 2023. On or after January 3, 2023 Ohio nurses will be able to begin practicing in other states. Similarly, nurses that live outside of Ohio that hold a compact license may take travel assignments in Ohio.
If you're an Ohio nurse and need to know how to apply for your compact license, we have your step-by-step guide here!
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Similarly to Ohio, NLC was enacted in 2021. However, the actual implementation date is to be determined.
Pennsylvania residents cannot obtain a multistate license until an official implementation date is determined.
Nurses in other NLC states with a multistate license may practice in Pennsylvania as of September 2023. View the Pennsylvania press release for complete details on Pennsylvania's compact status and what is means for PA residents.
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