Compact License vs. Individual Licenses: Which is Better for Travel Nurses?

Compact License vs. Individual Licenses: Which is Better for Travel Nurses?

Travel nurses can use a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) license or obtain individual state licenses. Here’s how they compare.

Quick Comparison

Cost Comparison

Compact License: One-time cost of $200-400 covers 40+ states. Renewal every 2 years.

Individual Licenses: $100-400 per state. If you work in 5 states, that’s $500-2,000 in licensing fees.

Winner: Compact License saves significant money.

Processing Time

Compact License: 2-4 weeks to process, then you can work in any compact state immediately.

Individual Licenses: 4-12 weeks per state. Working in 3 states could take 3-6 months total.

Winner: Compact License saves significant time.

Flexibility

Compact License: Work in any of 40+ compact states without additional licensing.

Individual Licenses: Limited to states where you have licenses.

Winner: Compact License offers much more flexibility.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Compact License if:

• You want to work in multiple states
• You want to save time and money
• You prefer flexibility
• Your home state is a compact state

Choose Individual Licenses if:

• You only work in non-compact states
• Your home state isn’t a compact state
• You need licenses for specific non-compact states

Bottom Line

For most travel nurses, a Compact License is the better choice because it saves time, money, and provides flexibility to work in 40+ states. Only get individual licenses if you need to work in non-compact states.