Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
The agreement among participating states that recognizes each other’s multistate nursing licenses. A state joins by enacting the compact legislation and then implementing it. See the full list of compact nursing states.
Compact state
A state (or territory) that has joined and implemented the NLC. Residents of a compact state can hold a multistate license; nurses from other compact states can practice there under privilege. States that have not joined are non-compact states.
Not “compound state” — the term is compact state
There is no such thing as a compound state, a compound nursing license, or compound licensure. It is an easy mishearing of compact, and a common one — enough that people search for it every month. If you were told your license is “good in the compound states”, the thing being described is the Nurse Licensure Compact.
The same goes for a few other near-misses worth naming, because each one sends people looking for the wrong thing:
- Reciprocity is not the compact. Reciprocity generally means applying for a second license in another state — what nursing calls licensure by endorsement. The compact avoids the second application entirely.
- eNLC is not a different compact from the NLC. The enhanced NLC replaced the original in 2018 and is simply what “the NLC” means today.
- A national nursing license does not exist. A multistate license covers compact states only, and several large states are not in it.
Multistate license
One nursing license, issued by your home compact state, that authorizes practice in your home state and — through compact privilege — in every other compact state. Also called a compact license. Full explanation: multistate nursing license.
Single-state license
A license valid only in the state that issued it. Every license a non-compact state issues is single-state, and compact states can issue single-state licenses too. Compare them: compact vs single-state license.
Compact privilege
The authorization to practice in another compact state on your multistate license, without a separate application. It only reaches compact states and does not cover APRN practice. Details: what is compact privilege.
Primary state of residence (PSOR)
Your one legal home state — where you declare residency for purposes like your driver’s license and tax return. Your multistate license is issued by your PSOR, and your PSOR must be a compact state for you to be eligible. See primary state of residence.
Licensure by endorsement
Applying for a second state’s own license based on your existing license. It works for any state, including non-compact ones, and is separate from the compact. See endorsement vs compact.
Nursys / QuickConfirm
The national nurse licensure verification system. Nursys QuickConfirm shows whether a license is single-state or multistate, plus its status and expiration. It is the fastest way to confirm your own license type: license verification.
Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs)
The common set of requirements a nurse must meet to hold a multistate license — things like an active unencumbered license, a passed exam, and a fingerprint-based background check. They are why a compact license can be trusted across states. See compact license requirements.
Implementation vs enactment
Enactment is a state passing the compact law. Implementation is the state actually issuing multistate licenses and recognizing privilege. A state can be enacted but not yet implemented — treat those as non-compact until implementation. See pending compact states.
Partial implementation
A special status (Guam) where some parts of the compact apply but residents cannot yet obtain a local multistate license. Do not assume full privilege under partial implementation — confirm the current rules with the board.
APRN Compact
A separate compact for advanced practice registered nurses, distinct from the NLC and not yet operational. The standard compact covers RN and LPN/VN licenses only. See APRN compact license.