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.
Current NLC members as of January 2025
- 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
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Guam has a partial implementations for the NLC. This means that nurses who hold licenses in Guam will still need to apply for a license in other compact states, but nurses from outside these states can work there under their compact license.
Recent Legislation on NLC
- Alaska
- Alaska introduced legislation in April 2023 to join the nurse compact, but the legislation stalled in committee, despite overwhelming support from Alaska nurses. Currently, it can take three to four months to receive an Alaska nursing license, but you may be able to receive a temporary license within 10-15 days. The fees for an Alaska license can be $375.
- Connecticut
- Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont signed the NLC into law on May 30, 2024. The legislation goes into effect on October 1, 2025, but the implementation date hasn’t been set. A Connecticut nursing license costs $180
- District of Columbia
- Bill 26-69 was referred to the Committee on Health in February 2025, but has not been voted on. Currently, it can take eight weeks to get a DC nursing license and the cost is $230.
- Hawaii
- Hawaii’s bill to join the compact agreement is pending in the Hawaii House Health Committee. Currently, it takes about three months to receive a Hawaii nursing license. The cost of a Hawaii nursing license ranges from $166-$234.
- Illinois
- Illinois introduced HB4434 in January 2024 to join the nurse compact. However, the bill has not progressed and there is not a status update. Currently, it can take six to eight weeks to receive an Illinois nursing license and the cost is $75.
- Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Governor Healey signed legislature adopting the NLC on November 20, 2024. Implementation is pending and it’s expected to take 12 months for full implementation. It costs about $300 for a Massachusetts nursing license.
- Michigan
- Michigan’s previous efforts to join the NLC was vetoed in 2020 because it violated the state constitution. New legislation was introduced in 2023 by State Rep. Phil Green. but it did not pass. The legislature is considering a new bill, but there is no additional information. Currently, it can take four to six weeks to receive a Michigan nursing license and it currently costs about $130 for the license and background check.
- 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 and there is no current legislation. Currently, it can take two weeks to receive a Minnesota temporary nursing license. The license costs about $100.
- New York
- New York introduced bills in 2023, but neither advanced. Senate Bill S3916 has been referred to the Higher Education Committee, as of January 2025. Currently, it can take six to eight weeks to receive a New York nursing license. The license costs $143 with a $35 temporary fee.
Except for Massachusetts, these states previously 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
- 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.