Compact nursing states in the South
The South is the most compact-friendly region in the country. Here is where each Southern jurisdiction stands and what it means for practicing across state lines.
Which Southern states are compact nursing states?
Nearly all of them. As of 2026, the large majority of Southern states are fully implemented compact nursing states — including Texas, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Maryland — so a multistate license generally lets you practice across most of the region. The main exception is the District of Columbia, which is not a compact jurisdiction. Check the current status of each below.
NLC member states ↗Last reviewed 2026-06-17
South (17)
AlabamaFull compact stateArkansasFull compact stateDelawareFull compact stateDistrict of ColumbiaNon-compact stateFloridaFull compact stateGeorgiaFull compact stateKentuckyFull compact stateLouisianaFull compact stateMarylandFull compact stateMississippiFull compact stateNorth CarolinaFull compact stateOklahomaFull compact stateSouth CarolinaFull compact stateTennesseeFull compact stateTexasFull compact stateVirginiaFull compact stateWest VirginiaFull compact state
Status shown as of 2026-06-17. Compact law changes — always confirm with the relevant board of nursing.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Texas is a fully implemented Nurse Licensure Compact state, so residents can hold a multistate license and compact nurses from other states can practice there under privilege.