CRNAs are in high demand across the country, and your next great job opportunity might be in a different state. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is a multistate agreement that allows you to hold a single, transferrable compact RN license to work in other compact states.
Every U.S. state, district, and territory has its own Board of Nursing (BON) that issues nursing licenses, and all of the BONs compose the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). In addition, NCSBN manages the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). There are currently 39 states or territories that are active or pending NLC members.
The Nurse Licensure Compact helps simplify the process for obtaining new state RN licenses. For example, if you live in Louisiana and want to obtain licensure in North Carolina (both compact states), you don’t have to apply for a new RN license to practice in North Carolina.
Regardless of which state you are moving to, you must apply for licensure by endorsement to transfer your nursing license and eligibility from one state to another. You need an active license from your current state to do so, and you need to have passed the NCLEX. Check your current license status on the National Council of State Board of Nursing’s Nursys website.
Suppose you are moving from a compact state to another compact state. In that case, you can temporarily practice on your previous state RN license while applying for licensure by endorsement in your new state. Then you will receive a new RN multistate license.
This practice allows for faster processing of obtaining your APRN license in a new state. In addition, by holding a compact RN license, you can bypass applying for the RN license in a compact state and apply directly for your APRN.
Contact Radar Healthcare Providers to find out about job opportunities across the United States. We are here to help you navigate the licensure process nationwide.
