Compact Nursing States 2026

43 states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as of January 2026, according to NCSBN. One multistate license from your home state lets you practice in all compact states—no additional applications, fees, or waiting periods.

Notable non-compact states: California, New York, and Illinois remain outside the compact.

What does the Nurse Licensure Compact do?

Without the compact, every state where you want to practice requires its own license. Want to travel nurse in Texas, then Arizona, then Florida? That’s three separate applications, three background checks, three fees, three waiting periods.

With a compact license, you apply once in your home state. That single license lets you work in all 43 compact states. No additional applications. No extra fees. No waiting.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) manages the compact, and it’s been growing steadily as states see the benefits.

Which states are in the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2026?

43 states and territories as of January 2026. Here’s the full list:

West: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming

Midwest: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

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

Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont

Territories: Guam, Virgin Islands

What’s New

Connecticut went live in October 2025—a big deal for New England nurses who can now practice across the region more easily.

Massachusetts passed compact legislation in late 2024 and is working through implementation.

Pennsylvania joined in July 2025, which opened up a lot of opportunities for nurses on the East Coast.

The Holdouts

California remains the biggest non-compact state. With the largest nursing population in the country, legislation has been introduced repeatedly but hasn’t passed. The state has strong union concerns about the compact.

New York has pending legislation (S.3916) but it hasn’t moved. Same pattern: bills get introduced, discussions happen, nothing passes.

Illinois and Alaska also have bills in various stages—worth watching if you’re in those states.

Who qualifies for a multistate nursing license?

The requirements aren’t complicated:

Primary residence in a compact state: This is the big one. Your home state—where you vote, pay taxes, and have your driver’s license—must be a compact state. You can’t just pick a compact state because the fees are lower.

Passed the NCLEX: Either RN or PN.

Federal background check: Required for everyone. Some states charge extra for this.

Clean license: No current discipline or encumbrances.

Nursing program graduate: From an approved program, same as any license.

Already Have a Single-State License?

If you’re in a compact state with a single-state license, you can usually convert to multistate. Contact your state board—the process varies, but typically involves a background check and some paperwork.

How does the compact work for travel nursing and telehealth?

Moving Between Compact States

Your multistate license is tied to your primary residence. If you move from Texas to Florida, your Texas license becomes invalid when you change residency. You have 30-60 days (varies by state) to apply in your new home state.

The good news: you’re applying for a new multistate license, not endorsement. The bad news: you still have to do the paperwork and pay the fee.

Travel Nursing

This is where the compact shines. Accept an assignment in Arizona, then North Carolina, then Colorado—all on one license. No waiting for endorsement. No stacking up application fees. Your recruiter loves you because you’re ready to go.

Telehealth

The compact lets you see patients in any compact state via telehealth. You follow the practice laws of where the patient is located, but you don’t need a separate license there. This is increasingly important as telehealth expands.

What about California, New York, and other non-compact states?

Your multistate license doesn’t help in California, New York, Illinois, or other non-compact states. To practice there, you need their state license—same endorsement process as everyone else.

Many travel nurses end up with a multistate license plus single-state licenses in California and New York, which are common assignment destinations.

Compact license FAQ

What if I live in California or New York?

You can’t hold a multistate license if your primary residence is in a non-compact state. You’ll need to apply for endorsement in each state where you want to practice.

If you relocate to a compact state, you can then get a multistate license. Some travel nurses have done exactly this—established residency in a compact state specifically to simplify their licensing.

Can I pick which compact state issues my license?

No. It has to be your primary residence state. You can’t get a Florida license because their fees are lower if you actually live in Texas.

My state just joined the compact—what happens?

States typically offer a conversion pathway for existing licensees. Contact your board for specifics. It usually involves a background check and some paperwork.

Stay Updated

The compact keeps growing. Check our compact states page for the current list, or follow NCSBN for news on pending state legislation.

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Ready to see where you can practice? Visit our compact states guide for detailed info on each member state and how to apply.