How do I work in a non-compact state?

You apply for that state’s own license, usually by endorsement if you are already licensed elsewhere. A multistate (compact) license does not authorize practice in a non-compact state.

CompactStates.com — https://www.compactstates.com · Always confirm license status with the issuing board of nursing.

Non-compact nursing states by region

The states that have not joined (or not yet implemented) the compact, grouped by region. In each of these you generally need that state’s own license — compact privilege does not reach them.

Which states are not in the nursing compact, by region?

They cluster on the coasts and in a few large states. As of 2026 the non-compact and not-yet-implemented jurisdictions are Massachusetts (enacted, not implemented) and New York in the Northeast; Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota in the Midwest; District of Columbia in the South; Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon in the West; American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (enacted, not implemented) in the Territories. Each is listed by region below — for any of these you generally apply by endorsement.

NLC member states ↗Last reviewed 2026-06-17

West (5)

AlaskaNon-compact state CaliforniaNon-compact state HawaiiNon-compact state NevadaNon-compact state OregonNon-compact state

Northeast (2)

MassachusettsEnacted — awaiting implementation New YorkNon-compact state

Midwest (3)

IllinoisNon-compact state MichiganNon-compact state MinnesotaNon-compact state

South (1)

District of ColumbiaNon-compact state

Territories (4)

American SamoaNon-compact state Northern Mariana IslandsNon-compact state Puerto RicoNon-compact state U.S. Virgin IslandsEnacted — awaiting implementation

Which compact states these border

These are the land borders where a state that never joined meets one that did. Each is a line people cross without thinking, and licensure changes at it — which matters most to whoever lives on one side and picks up shifts on the other. Each neighbour below links through to what that particular pairing means.

California (not a member) borders one compact state: Arizona. A multistate license from it stops at the California line.
District of Columbia (not a member) borders two compact states: Maryland and Virginia. A multistate license from any of them stops at the District of Columbia line.
Illinois (not a member) borders five compact states: Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin. A multistate license from any of them stops at the Illinois line.
Michigan (not a member) borders three compact states: Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. A multistate license from any of them stops at the Michigan line.
Minnesota (not a member) borders four compact states: Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. A multistate license from any of them stops at the Minnesota line.
Nevada (not a member) borders three compact states: Arizona, Idaho and Utah. A multistate license from any of them stops at the Nevada line.
New York (not a member) borders four compact states: Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont. A multistate license from any of them stops at the New York line.
Oregon (not a member) borders two compact states: Idaho and Washington. A multistate license from any of them stops at the Oregon line.

Borders with jurisdictions that have enacted the compact but not yet implemented it are deliberately excluded: that is a temporary state of affairs rather than a standing one, and tracked separately. Every seam in the country, mapped.

Status shown as of 2026-06-17. Compact law changes — always confirm with the relevant board of nursing.

Frequently asked questions

The 13 jurisdictions outside the Nurse Licensure Compact are Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon and Puerto Rico. Massachusetts and U.S. Virgin Islands have enacted the compact but not yet implemented it, so they function as non-compact for now.

Check your states

See how any home and work state interact.

Open the checker

Sources & last reviewed

NLC member states map & status— NCSBN / NurseCompact (nursecompact.com)
Identifies full members, partial implementation (Guam), and enacted/awaiting implementation (Massachusetts, U.S. Virgin Islands).
Nurse Licensure Compact — official site— NCSBN / NurseCompact (nursecompact.com)
States the NLC currently includes 43 jurisdictions and explains how the compact works.
NLC frequently asked questions— NCSBN / NurseCompact (nursecompact.com)
Covers multistate licenses, primary state of residence, the 60-day rule, telehealth, and license type coverage.

Facts on this page were last reviewed against official sources on 2026-06-17. Compact law changes — always verify with your state board of nursing.