LPN and LVN compact states
Does the nursing compact cover LPNs and LVNs?
Yes. The Nurse Licensure Compact covers LPN/LVN licenses on the same terms as RN licenses — there is one compact and one list of member jurisdictions, not a separate practical-nurse compact. If your primary state of residence is one of the 40 fully implemented compact states, you can hold one multistate LPN/LVN license and practise in every other compact state.
LPN and LVN are the same credential
LPN (licensed practical nurse) and LVN (licensed vocational nurse) are the same practical-nurse credential under different names. Among the compact states, Texas use “LVN”; the rest use “LPN”. The compact treats them identically, so moving between an LVN state and an LPN state is not a change of credential type — though you still license in your new home state.
Same compact states, separate licenses
The compact states are the same for RNs and LPNs/LVNs, but your licenses are not interchangeable. An RN license and an LPN/LVN license are issued and verified separately, and each one is single-state or multistate in its own right. If you hold both, check both.
And as with RNs: living in a compact state does not automatically make your practical-nurse license multistate. Compact states issue both types, and only the multistate type carries compact privilege. Confirm yours on Nursys QuickConfirm.
LPN / LVN compact license, state by state
Each fully implemented compact state, linking to its practical-nurse page — using that state’s own terminology — with the official board and verification steps.
Why we point you to Nursys
CompactStates explains the state rules. Nursys confirms your individual license. Nursys QuickConfirm is the official, free service where nurses can look up whether their own license is single-state or multistate. We’re an independent guide; Nursys and your board are where personal license status is verified.
Open Nursys QuickConfirm