Skip to content

Telehealth nursing license requirements in American Samoa

Telehealth licensing has one governing idea: you generally need authority where the patient is. Here is how that plays out for patients located in American Samoa.

Do I need an American Samoa license for telehealth nursing?

Generally, you need authority to practice where your patient is — so if your patient is in American Samoa, American Samoa licensure rules apply, even if you never leave home. American Samoa does not currently grant compact privilege, so a multistate license generally does not authorize telehealth to patients in American Samoa. You would typically need an American Samoa license by endorsement. Confirm with the American Samoa Health Services Regulatory Board before you take the role.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

Licensure follows the patient

The location that matters for telehealth is generally the patient’s, not yours. Sitting in one state and caring for a patient in American Samoa generally means you need authority to practice in American Samoa — via compact privilege or an American Samoa license. See telehealth: patient in another state.

The law that governs this in American Samoa

Caring for a patient located in American Samoa is practice in American Samoa, so it is American Samoa’s own nurse practice act that defines what you may do and the American Samoa Health Services Regulatory Board that applies it. That act is A.S.C.A. § 31.1002 — Health Services Regulatory Board, created; purpose.

There is no compact statute to cite for American Samoa, which is the substantive point rather than a gap in our research: American Samoa has not adopted the compact, so the practice act above is the whole of the law that applies to you here.

Compact status is not the only consideration

Even where a multistate license reaches American Samoa, your employer and the American Samoa Health Services Regulatory Board may impose additional requirements, and some roles carry their own rules. Compact status answers one question — it is not a blanket authorization to practice remotely.

APRN telehealth is separate

The compact covers RN and LPN/LVN licenses only. If you work as an APRN, your advanced-practice authority is granted state by state and is not carried by a multistate RN license — a point that catches out a lot of remote NP roles.

Why compact privilege does not reach American Samoa

American Samoa has not adopted the compact. Either way the practical answer for caring for patients located in American Samoa is the same today: a multistate license from another state does not authorize it, and you generally need an American Samoa license from the American Samoa Health Services Regulatory Board. Re-check before a start date rather than assuming — this is precisely the fact that changes.

What usually comes next

Next-step checklist

  • Identify where your patients are located — that generally drives licensure.
  • Confirm your license reads multistate on Nursys (nursys.com) if you rely on privilege.
  • Plan for an American Samoa license — privilege does not reach American Samoa today.
  • If you practice as an APRN, confirm American Samoa APRN authority separately with the board.

Frequently asked questions

Generally not on a compact license. American Samoa does not currently recognize compact privilege, so a multistate license does not authorize telehealth to patients located in American Samoa. You would typically need an American Samoa license. Confirm with the American Samoa Health Services Regulatory Board.