The new year means that it’s time to update the states that are a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If you’re not sure exactly what that means, here’s a quick refresher (and for more in depth info, check out our previous blog post on the Nurse Licensure Compact.
The NLC means that nurses who hold a license in one of these states also have a valid, immediate license in any other state that recognizes the Nurse Compact. No temporary licenses, minimal, if any new paperwork and immediate access to jobs in any of these states.
Current NLC members as of January 2024
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam (partial implementation)
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- 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
- Washington (partial implementation)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Guam, Pennsylvania and Washington all have partial implementations for the NLC. This means that nurses who hold licenses in these locations will still need to apply for a license in other compact states, but nurses from outside these states can work in Guam, Pennsylvania and Washington under their compact license.
States With Pending Legislation to Join the NLC
- Alaska
- Alaska introduced legislation in April 2023 to join the nurse compact, but previous efforts did not pass. Currently, it can take three to four months to receive an Alaska nursing license.
- Hawaii
- Hawaii’s bill to join the compact agreement is pending in the Hawaii House Health Committee. Currently, it takes about two months to receive a Hawaii nursing license.
- Illinois
- Illinois introduced legislation in February 2023 to join the nurse compact. However, the bill has not progressed. Currently, it can take six to eight weeks to receive an Illinois nursing license.
- Massachusetts
- The Massachusetts State Legislature Bill H.1284 was with the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, but the bill did not move forward. Currently, it can take about five weeks to receive a Massachusetts nursing license.
- Michigan
- Michigan’s previous efforts to join the NLC was vetoed in 2020 because it violated the state constitution. However, new legislation was introduced in 2023 by State Rep. Phil Green. Currently, it can take six to eight weeks to receive a Michigan nursing license.
- Minnesota
- Minnesota’s bill to join the NLC was introduced in the 2023-2024 legislature, but did not make it out of the Health and Human Services committee. Currently, it can take two weeks to receive a Minnesota nursing license.
- New York
- New York Assembly Bill A6421 has been referred to the Higher Education Committee, as of January 2024. Currently, it can take six to eight weeks to receive a New York nursing license.
These states have introduced legislation to add to themselves to the NLC, but it has not been passed or approved. If your main nursing license is from one of these states, consider contacting your state’s Board of Nursing to ask about advocacy groups to help increase the visibility of the NLC.
States With No Pending Legislation to Join the Nurse Compact
- California
- Connecticut
- Washington D.C.
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Oregon
If your state currently has no pending legislation regarding the NLC and you’re interested in learning more about why, contact your state’s Board of Nursing. They may have an advocacy group with an action plan to work with the decision makers regarding the NLC.
If you’re looking for your next opportunity in an NLC state, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Triage recruiter or search our list of allied and travel nurse jobs.