What the requirement covers
The check is fingerprint-based and runs at both the state and federal (FBI) level. Two related ULRs sit alongside it: an applicant must have no state or federal felony convictions, and no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing, which boards evaluate case by case. The check is part of qualifying for the multistate license itself — separate from any employer background screening you may also face.
If you have a conviction on your record
A conviction does not automatically end the conversation, but it is a decision only your board of nursing can make. Boards weigh the offense, how long ago it was, and its relationship to nursing practice. CompactStates.com is not a board or a legal adviser — we cannot tell you whether a specific record clears you for a multistate license. Contact your board before applying, and consider legal advice for anything complex.
Single-state vs multistate
If you do not qualify for a multistate license, a single-state license in your state may still be available under that state’s own rules — it simply will not carry compact privilege to other states. If you already held a multistate license before your state joined the eNLC, you may have been grandfathered; verify your current license type on Nursys.