Background information about the RN and LPN/VN Nurse Licensure Compact

The process for creating a nurse licensure compact began in 1996 at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Delegate Assembly when delegates voted to investigate different mutual recognition models and report the findings.

• At the 1997 Delegate Assembly, delegates unanimously agreed to endorse a mutual recognition model of nursing regulation.
• Strategies for implementation were also developed in 1997. In that same year, the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators (NLCA) was established to manage compact implementation and to develop compact rules.
• In 1998, the NCSBN Board of Directors approved a policy goal relating to mutual recognition, which included the goal to "remove regulatory barriers to increase access to safe nursing care."
• The RN and LPN/VN Compact began January 1, 2000, when it was passed into law by the first participating states: Maryland, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin

In order to achieve mutual recognition, each state must enact legislation authorizing the Nurse Licensure Compact. States entering the compact also adopt administrative rules and regulations for implementation of the compact.

Once the compact is enacted, each compact state designates a Nurse Licensure Compact Administrator to facilitate the exchange of information between the states relating to compact nurse licensure and regulation.  On January 10, 2000, the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators (NLCA) were organized to protect the public’s health and safety by promoting compliance with the laws governing the practice of nursing in each party state through the mutual recognition of party state licenses.   

Since 1998, the compact has included registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPN/VNs). On August 16, 2002, the NCSBN Delegate Assembly approved the adoption of model language for a licensure compact for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Only those states that have adopted the RN and LPN/VN Nurse Licensure Compact may implement a compact for APRNs. On March 15, 2004, Utah was the first state to pass APRN Compact legislation.  On April 25, 2005, the states of Iowa and Utah agreed to mutually recognize APRN licenses.  No date has been set for the implementation of the APRN Compact.

Participating States in the NLC

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Implementation

The following tables and map indicate which states have enacted the RN and LPN/VN Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Please note that although Rhode Island has enacted the NLC, they have not yet implemented the NLC.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) States

If you have questions regarding NLC licensure, please contact your state board of nursing in your primary state of residence for specific requirements. 

States Pending NLC Implementation (these dates could be subject to change)