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Is a California LVN license a compact (multistate) license?

In California, practical nurses are licensed as licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Here is how the Nurse Licensure Compact treats a California LVN license, and how to tell whether yours is multistate.

Is a California LVN license a compact license?

No. The compact does cover LVN (licensed vocational nurse (LVN)) licenses, but California is not a compact state, so a California LVN license is single-state — valid in California only. A multistate LVN license comes from a different, compact home state.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

How the compact treats LVN licenses

The compact covers LPN/LVN licenses on the same terms as RN licenses — a multistate LVN license carries compact privilege across compact states, while a single-state LVN license is valid only where it was issued. California does not currently issue multistate LVN licenses to its residents, so a California LVN license is single-state.

LPN and LVN are the same credential

California uses "licensed vocational nurse (LVN)" for what most states call an LPN. They are the same practical-nurse credential, and the compact covers them identically — an LVN and an LPN are treated the same way for multistate purposes.

Verifying your California LVN license

Nursys QuickConfirm shows whether a LVN license is single-state or multistate, plus its status and expiration. For official requirements, go to the California Board of Registered Nursing, or see our California verification guide.

Next-step checklist

  • Look your LVN license up on Nursys QuickConfirm (nursys.com).
  • Note whether it reads single-state or multistate.
  • Remember a California LVN license is valid in California only.
  • Confirm anything unclear directly with the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. The Nurse Licensure Compact covers LVN/practical-nurse licenses on the same terms as RN licenses. California does not currently issue multistate licenses to its residents, so a California LVN license is single-state only.