Nurse Licensure Compact & healthcare license compacts, explained
How multistate licensing works for nurses, PTs, EMS and SLPs, what to do when you move, and links to each compact's official, always-current list of member states.
Always verify before accepting an assignment
Which states participate changes as new legislation passes. We deliberately don't maintain our own "current" list here — instead, use the official links below, which are always up to date.
Nursing — Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
Lets RNs and LPN/LVNs practice in any member state under a single multistate license issued by their state of primary residence. Covers both RN and LPN/LVN identically.
Official NLC state map (NCSBN)Physical Therapy — PT Compact
Allows PTs and PTAs licensed in a member state to obtain a "compact privilege" to practice in other member states.
Official PT Compact siteEMS — REPLICA (EMS Compact)
Covers EMTs and Paramedics, allowing practice across member states under a home-state license.
Official EMS Compact siteSpeech-Language Pathology & Audiology — ASLP-IC
The newest major healthcare compact, covering SLPs and audiologists across member states.
Official ASLP-IC siteHow the nurse compact works
- Your multistate license comes from your primary state of residence, the state you legally live in, not the state where you happen to be working.
- With it you can work in person or by telehealth in any other compact state, without applying for another license.
- You follow the nursing practice laws of the state where the patient is located.
- If you move your primary residence to another compact state, you must apply for a license there within 60 days.
- If you live in a non-compact state, you'll generally need a separate license in each state where you work, usually by applying for licensure by endorsement.
Before you accept a travel assignment
- Check that the assignment state is a current member on the official map.
- Confirm your own license is marked multistate. You can look it up on Nursys.
- If the state isn't in the compact, start the endorsement application early. Some boards take weeks, and a few offer temporary licenses while you wait.
- Keep your BLS, ACLS and other certifications current. Facilities check those too.
Juggling licenses in more than one state?
Travel Health Wallet keeps every license and certification in one place, reminds you before anything expires, and lets you share verified credentials with recruiters. It's free to start.
Create your free walletCommon questions
What is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?
The NLC lets RNs and LPN/LVNs hold one multistate license, issued by their home state, and use it to practice in every other compact member state without getting a separate license in each one.
Can I get a multistate nursing license if I live in a non-compact state?
The multistate license is tied to your primary state of residence, so it's issued by compact states to nurses who live there. If you live in a state that isn't in the compact, you'll generally hold single-state licenses and apply separately in each state where you work.
What happens to my compact license if I move to another compact state?
If you change your primary residence to another compact state, you must apply for a license in your new home state within 60 days, according to the NCSBN.
Which states are in the nurse compact?
Membership changes as states pass new laws, so check the official map at nursecompact.com, run by the NCSBN, before you accept an assignment.
This page is general information, not legal or licensing advice. Confirm your specific eligibility with your state board before accepting any assignment.