Compact License States: Guide to RN & Compact Nursing States
Registered nurses are increasingly exploring ways to work across multiple regions without having to go through redundant licensing processes. For many, the solution lies in compact license states. This system enables a nurse to practice in multiple states with a single multistate license, eliminating the need to obtain individual state licenses. The program is known formally as the Nurse Licensure Compact, and it continues to gain momentum across the United States.
This guide explains the meaning of compact license states, outlines how the system functions, lists the participating RN compact states, and discusses the advantages for nurses and healthcare systems. It also examines eligibility requirements, the application process, and the current situation for non-compact jurisdictions. By the end, you will have a clear view of how compact nursing states influence career mobility and professional opportunities for registered nurses.
What Are Compact License States
Compact license states are jurisdictions that have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement. This agreement allows a nurse to hold a single multistate license recognized by all other compact participants. Instead of applying for separate licenses in each state, nurses can practice across multiple compact nursing states with one credential.
The Nurse Licensure Compact was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to address workforce mobility, shortages, and administrative efficiency. It creates a standardized framework for licensing while maintaining state board oversight. When a nurse receives a multistate license from a primary residence in one compact state, that license permits practice in all other compact states.
The model reduces barriers to employment for nurses and strengthens staffing flexibility for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers. It is especially valuable for travel nurses, military families, and professionals living near state borders who frequently cross jurisdictions.
How the RN Compact License Works
The RN compact license functions under several core principles. First, a nurse must declare a primary state of residence. That state must be a member of the compact for the nurse to qualify for a multistate license. Residency is proven through documentation such as a driver’s license, tax return, or voter registration.
Once residency is established, the nurse applies for a multistate license with the state board of nursing. The application process involves meeting education requirements, passing the NCLEX examination, completing a criminal background check, and fulfilling any additional state-specific standards. When granted, the license carries multistate privileges, permitting practice in all RN compact states.
If a nurse later moves to another compact state, a new license must be obtained from that state. Multistate privileges cannot remain tied to a former residence once relocation occurs. However, the transfer process is generally faster than applying for a single-state license in a non-compact jurisdiction.
The compact does not override individual state practice laws. Nurses must still follow the scope of practice, regulations, and disciplinary procedures of the state where they are providing care. The system, therefore, balances mobility with accountability, allowing nurses to move freely while respecting local standards.
List of Compact Nursing States
The list of compact nursing states continues to expand. As of September 2025, the following states and territories participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut (effective October 2025)
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (implementation pending)
- 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
- U.S. Virgin Islands (awaiting implementation)
- Guam (partial implementation)
Participation in the compact means that a nurse holding a multistate license from one of these states can practice in all others on the list. Pending members, such as Massachusetts, are moving toward full activation, which would further increase mobility for nurses across the country.
Benefits of an RN Compact License
The RN compact license provides a wide range of benefits for both nurses and healthcare organizations.
For nurses, the most immediate advantage is mobility. A single multistate license opens employment opportunities across dozens of jurisdictions. Travel nurses can accept assignments quickly without waiting for additional state licenses. Professionals living near borders can work on both sides without duplicating licensing fees or paperwork.
Healthcare organizations benefit from greater flexibility in staffing. Hospitals facing shortages can hire nurses from other compact states without delays. This improves patient care by filling vacancies more efficiently. During emergencies, compact privileges allow rapid deployment of nursing staff across state lines, strengthening disaster response efforts.
Another benefit is reduced cost. Nurses save money by avoiding multiple state application fees, while employers save on administrative processing. Efficiency increases for state boards as well, since licensing procedures are streamlined under the compact framework.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Eligibility for a compact license depends on several requirements. Nurses must live in a participating state, complete an approved nursing program, pass the NCLEX examination, and undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check. The nurse must also meet the standards set by the home state board of nursing.
Step-by-Step Process
- Confirm that your primary residence is in a compact state.
- Apply through your state board of nursing.
- Submit proof of residency and education.
- Provide fingerprints for a background check.
- Pay required fees and complete the application.
- Receive your license with multistate privileges once approved.
If you move to another compact state, you must apply for a new license in that state. Multistate privileges tied to your former residence will no longer remain valid after relocation.
Nurses from non-compact states may still obtain a license in a compact state, but that license will function as a single-state license only until residency is declared in a participating jurisdiction.
What If Your State Is Not Compact
Several states have not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact. In these jurisdictions, nurses must apply for individual state licenses to practice legally. The process often involves separate fees, paperwork, and background checks for each state.
Some non-compact states are actively considering legislation to join. Massachusetts has enacted legislation but awaits full implementation. Other states, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, and New York, have debated joining but have not yet passed legislation.
For nurses living in non-compact jurisdictions, opportunities for multistate practice remain limited. However, obtaining a compact license becomes possible once residency is established in a participating state. Relocation is therefore an option for professionals seeking broader mobility.
Healthcare organizations in non-compact states face additional challenges during staffing shortages. Recruitment from compact jurisdictions requires endorsement or single-state license applications, which can delay hiring. This has prompted many policymakers to consider the adoption of the compact as a solution to workforce strain.
Impact on Travel Nursing and Workforce Planning
The compact has had a measurable impact on travel nursing. Agencies can place nurses more efficiently because credentials are valid across many states. Nurses can accept short-term assignments with minimal administrative delays. This flexibility supports both career development and healthcare system resilience.
From a workforce planning perspective, compact membership strengthens emergency preparedness. During crises such as natural disasters or public health emergencies, states can quickly mobilize nursing staff across borders. The ability to respond rapidly improves continuity of care and protects communities during high-demand periods.
The compact also supports long-term workforce strategies. Nursing shortages remain a concern in many regions. By simplifying cross-state practice, compact membership broadens the available labor pool for employers. Nurses, in turn, benefit from expanded job markets and greater control over career paths.
Conclusion
Compact license states simplify cross-state practice and reduce licensing barriers for registered nurses. The RN compact states agreement expands career flexibility, supports staffing needs, and strengthens emergency response. By knowing which compact nursing states participate, nurses can plan strategically and pursue opportunities nationwide. Each new state that joins broadens the reach of multistate practice, giving nurses greater control over their careers.
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