Are you a nurse looking to work in different states? The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) and the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) could help. These compacts make it easier for nurses to move between states for work. But what are they, and how can they help your career? Let’s find out.

Key Takeaways

• The NLC and eNLC allow nurses to practice in multiple states with a single multistate license.
• As of June 2024, 42 jurisdictions are part of the eNLC, making it easier for nurses to work across state borders.
• Compact states have passed legislation to recognize each other’s nursing licenses, streamlining the licensing process.
• Nurses can apply for licenses in compact states even if their residence is in a non-compact state.
• The Nurse Licensure Compact facilitates travel nursing and opens up new career opportunities for healthcare professionals.

What is the Nursing Compact?

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets nurses have one license that works in many states. It started in 2000 to make it easier for nurses to move between states. This agreement helps nurses work in different places without extra paperwork.

Overview of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

The NLC makes it easier for nurses to work in many states. It cuts down on paperwork and costs for nurses and hospitals. Nurses can move for work or personal reasons without trouble.

Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC)

In 2018, the eNLC came out, making the NLC even better. It added rules like background checks for nurses. This makes it easier for nurses to work across state lines.

By October 2023, 41 states have joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) or are working on it. Nurses with the NLC can work in many states without extra licenses or fees.

“The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) helps with patient care by solving staffing issues and making healthcare services available faster.”

Participating States in the eNLC

The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) is growing fast. By June 2024, 42 states and areas are part of it. These include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, and many others.

Current eNLC Member States

The Nurse Licensure Compact has grown into the eNLC. It lets nurses work across state lines easily. This means nurses can help people all over the region.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Guam
• 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

States with Pending eNLC Legislation

More states are joining the eNLC soon. Alaska, the District of Columbia, and others are getting ready. They include Hawaii, Illinois, and many more.

1. Alaska
2. District of Columbia
3. Hawaii
4. Illinois
5. Massachusetts
6. Michigan
7. Minnesota
8. New York

The eNLC makes it easier for nurses to work across states. It helps patients get the care they need. As more states join, nurses will have more chances to help people everywhere.

Non-Participating States

The Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) is growing, but some states haven’t joined yet. These states, like American Samoa, California, and Oregon, are not part of the compact. They include the District of Columbia, the Mariana Islands, Nevada, and others.

Nurses in these states can’t get a multistate license. They must apply for a license in their own state. This limits them to practicing only in their home state. They miss out on the eNLC’s benefits, like working in multiple states without extra licenses.

The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) is popular, with 38 states and two U.S. territories joining. But, 22 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, haven’t joined. Guam has joined but only partly.

Some states like Massachusetts are waiting to start the NLC. Others, like New York and Oregon, haven’t joined and don’t plan to. Michigan and Illinois are also not part of the NLC.

Even though more states are joining the eNLC, non-participating states still cause problems for nurses. Nurses there might need more licenses and deal with different rules. This can make it harder for them to move around and work in different places.

It’s unclear if more non-compact states will join the eNLC. Until then, nurses in these states face challenges. They have to deal with the limits of single-state licenses and how they affect their careers.

Requirements for a Multistate License

To get a multistate nursing license through the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), you must meet certain rules. These rules are set by the Nurse Licensure Compact Commission. They make sure nurses can work in many states with just one license.

To qualify for a multistate license, you need to do the following:

1. Meet your state’s licensing needs.
2. Finish a board-approved education program.
3. Pass an English proficiency exam if needed.
4. Do well on the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam.

It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to review your multistate license application. You can start applying for this license in your main state from January 31, 2024.

“The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) only applies to RN and LPN licenses. APRNs need their own state licenses.”

By fulfilling these requirements, nurses can get a multistate license. This lets them work in their home state and other compact states without extra licenses. It makes nursing services more accessible, helps military families and online educators, and lowers costs for nurses working across states.

nursing compact states

The Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) focuses on your primary state of residency (PSOR). This is where you legally live, not where you own a home or property. You can pick only one state as your PSOR, which affects your eligibility for a license to work in many states.

If your PSOR is part of the compact, you can get a license to work in any other compact state. But, if your PSOR isn’t in the compact, you can only work in that one state.

Determining Your PSOR

Finding your PSOR is easy. It’s the state where you have a driver’s license, pay taxes, and live permanently. This is where you legally live under the eNLC rules.

Your PSOR might not be where you work or live now. If you’ve moved, make sure to update your PSOR to keep your license to work in many states.

Keeping your primary state of residency correct is key for nurses in the eNLC. If you don’t, you could face problems with your license and might not be able to work in some states.

“The flexibility of the Nursing Licensure Compact has led to increased healthcare opportunities and cooperation across state lines.”

Applying for a Multistate License

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) has made it easier for nurses to work across many states. If you’re new or moving from a single-state license, getting a multistate license has its own steps. These steps depend on your situation.

New Nurses

If you’re a new nurse getting your first license in an eNLC state, you can work in all eNLC states right away. Your first license will be a multistate one, letting you work in any compact state.

Transitioning from a Single-State License

If you already have a single-state license in an eNLC state and want a multistate license, contact your state’s nursing board. You won’t have to pay extra if you’re not up for renewal. Your state will give you a new license that works for working in many states.

Applying for a multistate nursing license is easy, but know what your state needs. Learning about the NLC and eNLC helps you switch smoothly and enjoy working in different states.

“Nurses can practice in various roles including telehealth, travel nursing, disaster relief nursing, and providing nursing services across state borders due to the NLC agreement.”

As the nursing compact grows, more nurses can get a multistate license. This gives them more flexibility and convenience.

Moving to a New Compact State

If you’re a nurse with a multistate license and you’re moving to a new compact state, you’ll need to update your license. You must apply for a multistate license in your new state within 60 days of moving. This can start even before you have a permanent address, making the move easier.

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/VNPs) have a multistate license. This license lets them work in their home state and other compact states. But, when you move to a new compact state, you’ll need to update your license to keep your multistate privileges.

Nurses on a visa from another country moving to a compact state must declare their primary state of residency. This is key because it affects their eligibility for a multistate license.

In summary, when moving to a new compact state, you’ll need to update your multistate license within 60 days of moving. This process can start before you have a permanent address, making the transition smoother for nurses.

Continuing Education Requirements

To keep a nursing license in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), nurses must follow their home state’s continuing education (CE) rules. Each state has its own CE course needs and contact hours for renewal. This is true even if the nurse works in another state.

CE requirements differ a lot among eNLC member states. For instance, Alabama, California, and Kansas ask for 24, 30, and 30 contact hours every two years, respectively. Indiana and Maryland let nurses pick between CE hours or keeping a national certification.

Some states have unique rules too. Florida needs 24 hours every two years, including training on human trafficking. New York wants nurses to learn about infection control and how to report child abuse.

Nurses working in eNLC states should know their home state’s CE rules. This helps them keep their license and provide safe patient care.

Federal Nurses and the eNLC

The Nurse License Compact (NLC) has changed to the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This change brought up a key point about federal nurses. Nurses working for the government, like the Veterans Administration, military, and Indian Health Services, don’t need a state license if they already have one. But, this rule doesn’t apply to nurses working in civilian jobs in other states.

The eNLC’s system helps federal nurses a lot. They can work in many states without getting extra licenses. This makes it easier for them to move around and help their patients.

To follow the eNLC rules, federal nurses need a nursing license in their main state. This license lets them work in any of the 37 states that are part of the eNLC by 2024. They don’t need extra licenses for each state.

The eNLC’s rule for federal nurses lets them give care across state lines easily. They don’t have to get many state licenses. This is very important for federal nurses who move around to help their patients and communities.

Nursys e-Notify System

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers the Nursys e-Notify system. It’s a free service for nurses under the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This system sends updates on license status, like expirations and disciplinary actions, in real-time.

Nurses should sign up for Nursys e-Notify to keep up with their license changes. This way, they can practice across eNLC states without any issues. It helps them stay compliant and work without interruptions.

Key Features of Nursys e-Notify

• All states in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) are part of the Nursys database.
• Nursys e-Notify for Institutions is a free system that sends updates on nurses working in institutions.
• Nurses get automatic updates on their license status, including when it expires, needs renewal, or has disciplinary actions.
• Every nurse gets a unique NCSBN ID when they first get licensed. This helps with communication across systems.
• Licensure QuickConfirm lets employers and recruiters easily check on a nurse’s license and discipline history.
• Nurses pay $30 per license type, per board, to use Nursys for verification in another state.
• NCSBN members use Nursys to check on nurse licenses, review disciplinary actions, and improve communication between boards.

The Nursys database holds all the license and disciplinary info for NCSBN member boards. Employers and recruiters can use this info to follow nursing rules and protect patient care.

Using the Nursys e-Notify system, nurses under the eNLC can keep up with their license and disciplinary info. This ensures they stay compliant and provide top-notch care across states.

Benefits of the eNLC

The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) brings big advantages for nurses and states. It makes getting a nursing license easier and lets nurses work in different states. This makes healthcare better and more accessible everywhere.

For Nurses

Nurses get many benefits from the eNLC:

• They can work in many states without extra licenses
• They pay less in fees because they only need one license
• They find more jobs, like short-term work or volunteering in other states
• When they move to another compact state, their license works there too
• They can work in virtual healthcare or telehealth more easily

For States

States gain a lot from being part of the eNLC too:

1. They get better healthcare services from nurses who can work across borders
2. They save money and make licensing easier, which helps healthcare run smoother
3. They can attract and keep skilled nurses, making their healthcare teams stronger
4. They get help in emergencies and disasters by having nurses who can travel to help

With over two million nurses in eNLC states, the compact can really improve healthcare across the country. By using the benefits of the eNLC and the advantages of the nursing compact, states and nurses can make healthcare better and more flexible.

“The eNLC allows nurses to easily practice across borders in other compact states, providing greater access to healthcare services and more employment opportunities for nursing professionals.”

Challenges of the eNLC

The Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) is growing in popularity, but some states are still unsure. They worry about the rules for getting a license and how it might change their nursing workforce.

Some states don’t want to join the eNLC. They’re afraid it could take away their control over nursing. With the compact, nurses could work in any state without a local license. This has made some states slow down in joining the compact.

Groups like nursing organizations and unions are also against the eNLC. They worry it could lower the quality of care. They think nurses might not be ready to work in different states.

Even with challenges, the eNLC is moving forward. More states are joining, seeing its benefits. As more states see the good in it, they’re likely to join too. This will make nursing jobs more flexible and mobile across the U.S.

“The eNLC is a big step towards letting nurses work across state lines. But, we need to listen to states and nursing groups to make it work for everyone.”

Resistance to Joining the Compact

Some states are hesitant to join the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) despite its benefits. They worry about how it might affect their nursing workforce. They also disagree on the requirements and want to keep control over licensing in their state.

States worry about the impact on their nursing jobs. They fear more competition and job market changes. They also worry about disciplinary actions in one state affecting a nurse’s job in another.

States want to keep control over who can work as nurses. They don’t want to give up authority to the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administration. They like setting their own rules and handling licensing on their own.

Some states are working to join the eNLC despite challenges. California, Illinois, and Massachusetts are introducing laws to join the compact. They want to make nursing policies the same across states.

The eNLC is still growing, and more states might join. But, some states are still unsure. They weigh the benefits against their concerns about their nursing workforce and control.

Conclusion

The Nursing Licensure Compact and the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) bring big benefits to nurses. They make it easier for nurses to work in different states. This means more job chances and better healthcare for everyone.

More states joining the compact means nurses can work across state lines more easily. This strengthens healthcare and helps patients get the care they need. In NLC states, there are more telehealth claims from out-of-state nurses and more out-of-state providers.

But, some states like California and Oregon are still hesitant to join. They worry about losing money and setting the right work standards. It’s important to work together to make the compact work well for everyone.

As more nurses get licenses that let them work in many states, keeping standards the same is key. This ensures nurses are qualified everywhere and keeps patients safe.

In the end, the Nursing Licensure Compact and the eNLC could change nursing for the better. They offer nurses more freedom and chances to work. As the compact grows, everyone must work together to make sure nurses and patients benefit from it across the U.S.