Enacted vs implemented
This distinction is the whole game. Enacted means the legislature passed the compact. Implemented means the state is actually issuing multistate licenses and recognizing privilege. A state can be enacted for months before it implements. Until it implements, you cannot rely on privilege there. See the glossary for both terms.
How to check the current status
Compact status changes by legislative session, so we do not freeze a “who is next” list in stone. For the current state of play, see pending compact states and the compact states map, and confirm anything time-sensitive with the state’s board of nursing and the official NLC status page. We log changes on our changelog.
What it means for you
If your state is “joining,” do not plan around a multistate license until implementation is official. If you need to practice across state lines now, use endorsement in the meantime, and switch to the compact once your state implements.