Compact Nursing License States List 2026: All 40 NLC States

Here is the compact nursing license states list for 2026, checked against the NCSBN’s official compact map in October 2026: 40 states have fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If your primary state of residence is one of them, your RN license is multistate and you can work in any of the other 39 without a new license.

If you’re a travel nurse or considering travel nursing, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is the single most important licensing concept to understand. As of October 2026, 40 states have fully implemented the compact, so one multistate license covers most of the country. (Washington, D.C. is not a member.)

What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact?

The Nurse Licensure Compact is a mutual recognition agreement between member states, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). When your state of permanent residence is a compact member, your RN or LPN/VN license automatically becomes a multistate license. You can then practice in any other compact state — physically or via telehealth — without applying for an additional state license.

This is not a separate license or a special endorsement. It is simply how licensure works when you live in a compact state. The license itself looks no different; the multistate privilege is built in.

Core advantages for travel nurses:

• Practice across 40+ states with a single license
• No additional licensing fees for compact states
• Faster placement — recruiters can submit you the day you’re available
• No waiting on paper license processing for new assignments
• Easier to take last-minute or crisis assignments

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Compact Nursing License States List by Region (2026)

These 40 states have fully implemented the compact, per NCSBN’s NLC map (read October 2026).

Northeast (9)

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

South (14)

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Midwest (9)

• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• South Dakota
• Wisconsin

West (8)

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Montana
• New Mexico
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Recent additions: Washington (January 2024), Rhode Island (January 2024 under the current compact), Pennsylvania (July 2025) and Connecticut (October 2025).

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States That Aren’t in the Compact

Enacted, implementation pending: Massachusetts, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have passed the compact but aren’t issuing or honoring multistate licenses yet. Counting them, 43 jurisdictions have enacted the NLC.

Not members: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington, D.C. Several have bills pending, so check the state board before you plan around a change.

If you plan to work in a non-compact state, you’ll need a license by endorsement from that state’s board. Processing times vary by state and season, so check the board’s current timeline and start early.

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How to Get a Multistate License

Getting a compact license requires no special application. Here is the process:

1. Confirm your state of permanent residence is a compact member. You must genuinely live there — not just list an address. The IRS definition of “domicile” applies.
2. Apply for an RN license through your state’s board of nursing using the standard application process. If your state is a compact member, your license will automatically carry multistate privileges.
3. Declare your state of primary residence. If you are endorsing from another state, you must attest that the new state is your permanent home.
4. Receive your license. It will display multistate status, and you are authorized to practice in all compact states.

If you already hold a single-state license and your state joins the compact, your existing license is typically upgraded automatically — though you may need to verify this with your state board.

You can verify current compact membership and check your own license status at the NCSBN Nurse License Lookup portal.

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Working in California and New York

These two non-compact states account for a significant share of high-paying travel contracts. You cannot use your compact multistate license to practice in California or New York. You must obtain a state-specific license through the endorsement process.

For California:

• Apply directly to the California BRN
• Allow 10–16 weeks minimum
• Pay the state application fee (~$150)
• Complete any state-specific requirements (e.g., California law course)

For New York:

• Apply to the NY State Education Department
• Allow 6–10 weeks
• Consider applying even before you have a contract lined up, as NY is frequently in demand

Many experienced travel nurses hold a compact license plus California and New York individual licenses, effectively covering the entire country.

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What Happens If You Move to a Non-Compact State?

If you relocate permanently to a non-compact state (such as California or Illinois), you lose your multistate privileges. Your license becomes a single-state license valid only in the state that issued it. To work in other states, you would need to apply for individual endorsements in each state where you want to practice.

This is a meaningful consideration for travel nurses who are weighing a permanent move. If you move from Texas (compact) to California (non-compact), you lose the ability to freely travel across compact states without additional licensing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many states are in the nurse licensure compact in 2026?

40 states have fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 2026. Massachusetts, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have enacted it but implementation is pending, so 43 jurisdictions have enacted it in total.

Is Washington, D.C. a compact nursing license state?

No. Washington, D.C. is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses need a D.C. license to work there.

Which states are not in the nurse licensure compact?

Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York and Oregon are not members, and neither is Washington, D.C. Massachusetts has enacted the compact but hasn’t implemented it yet.

Which states joined the nurse licensure compact most recently?

Washington and Rhode Island implemented the current compact in January 2024, Pennsylvania in July 2025 and Connecticut in October 2025.

Can I get a compact license if I live in a non-compact state?

No. A multistate license is issued by your primary state of residence, so it has to be a compact state. If you live in a non-compact state, you need a separate license for each state you work in.

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Plan Your License Strategy Before Your Next Assignment

For travel nurses, compact licensure is a strategic asset. It reduces your time-to-placement, lowers your overhead costs, and keeps your options open across most of the country. For high-demand non-compact states, start the endorsement process early — often before you even have a confirmed contract.

Use our compact license lookup tool to check current member status by state, and see our full licensing by state guide for state-specific requirements, fees, and processing timelines.