Obtaining a multi-state nursing license allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) to practice across state lines with a single license. This mobility is achieved through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), an agreement that streamlines the licensure process among participating jurisdictions. The NLC removes the administrative burden of securing separate licenses for every state where a nurse may work, facilitating greater flexibility.
Understanding the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) provides a standardized pathway for nurses to practice in multiple jurisdictions using one license. This multi-state license (MSL) grants the nurse a “privilege to practice” in all other compact states, known as remote states. The NLC operates under the principle of mutual recognition, where member states accept the licensure issued by another compact state.
The MSL framework is governed by the nurse’s Primary State of Residence (PSOR), which is the state where the nurse legally resides. The PSOR is the only state authorized to issue the MSL and maintains regulatory authority over the license. Residency is a legal designation, not simply a mailing address, and is determined by tangible ties to the state. Acceptable proof of PSOR typically includes a driver’s license, voter registration, or the state listed on federal income tax returns. Nurses must maintain their legal residence in a compact state to retain the multi-state license.
Eligibility Requirements for a Multi-State License
To qualify for a multi-state license (MSL), a nurse must satisfy two primary requirements: declaring a compact state as their Primary State of Residence (PSOR) and meeting the 11 Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs). If the nurse’s legal residency is in a non-compact state, they are ineligible for the MSL.
The ULRs were adopted by all compact states to ensure consistent standards for multi-state practice. These requirements include:
- Graduating from a board-approved education program.
- Successfully passing the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination.
- Holding an active, unencumbered license not subject to disciplinary action.
- Submitting to a state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check.
- Having no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing.
- Not currently participating in an alternative program.
- Possessing a valid United States Social Security number.
Internationally educated nurses must also pass an English proficiency examination.
Navigating the Multi-State License Application Process
The application process for an MSL is initiated through the Board of Nursing (BON) in the nurse’s Primary State of Residence. Recent graduates apply for a multi-state license by examination, combining the initial license application with the compact requirements. Existing nurses in a compact state with a single-state license must complete an upgrade or conversion application through their BON’s online portal.
The application requires the submission of documents, such as official transcripts, and payment of a non-refundable application fee determined by the state’s BON. Nurses moving from a non-compact state into a compact state must apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state. This process requires demonstrating proof of legal residency. Once eligibility criteria are verified, the BON issues the multi-state license.
Practice Boundaries and Maintaining Compact Compliance
A multi-state license grants the privilege to practice in all compact states, but the nurse must always adhere to the Nurse Practice Act of the state where the patient is located. While the PSOR retains full authority over the license itself, a remote state can take disciplinary action against the nurse’s privilege to practice within that specific state.
Maintaining compact compliance requires strict adherence to rules regarding changes in legal residency. When a nurse with an MSL permanently moves from one compact state to another, they must apply for a new multi-state license by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse has 60 days from establishing legal residency in the new compact state to submit this application. During processing, the nurse may continue practicing using the MSL from their former PSOR. Once the new state issues the license, the former PSOR license is immediately deactivated. Failure to apply within the 60-day window results in the loss of the multi-state privilege.
Licensing in Non-Compact States
The multi-state license is not valid for practice in states that have not joined the NLC. Nurses needing to practice in these non-compact jurisdictions must obtain a single-state license through licensure by endorsement. This requires applying directly to the specific state’s Board of Nursing (BON) where they intend to work.
The endorsement application generally requires submitting an application, paying a fee, and providing verification of the original license, often via the Nursys verification system. The non-compact state may also require the nurse to meet specific continuing education or other state-mandated requirements before issuing a single-state license valid only within its borders.
Renewing and Maintaining Your Multi-State License
The responsibility for renewing a multi-state license rests solely with the nurse’s Primary State of Residence (PSOR) Board of Nursing. The renewal cycle is typically biennial, though the exact date and process are dictated by the PSOR. Nurses must follow the renewal procedures and deadlines set by their home state.
Continuing education (CE) requirements are also determined by the PSOR’s regulations. A nurse practicing in a remote compact state must satisfy the CE hours mandated by their home state, even if the remote state has different requirements. Nurses can utilize the Nursys e-Notify system, which provides automated reminders about license expiration and renewal processes.