How do I check whether my California RN license is single-state or multistate?

Look it up on Nursys QuickConfirm (nursys.com), the national verification system — it reports the license type, status, and expiration. For anything Nursys does not show, confirm with the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Does the compact cover RNs and LPNs/LVNs?

Yes. The Nurse Licensure Compact covers both RN and LVN/practical-nurse licenses on the same terms. It does not, by itself, cover APRN roles — nurse practitioners, CRNAs, CNSs, and CNMs generally need separate APRN authorization in each state.

CompactStates

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

Registered nurse is the most common credential the compact covers. Here is exactly what a California RN license is, and how to tell whether yours carries compact privilege.

Is a California RN license a compact license?

No. The compact does cover RN licenses, but California is not a compact state, so a California RN license is single-state — valid for practice in California only. It does not carry compact privilege to other states. If you hold a multistate RN license, it was issued by a different, compact home state.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

How the compact treats RN licenses

The Nurse Licensure Compact covers RN licenses. In a compact state, a single multistate RN license lets you practice in every compact state; a single-state RN license is valid only where it was issued. California does not currently issue multistate RN licenses to its residents, so a California RN license is single-state.

Verifying your California RN license

The fastest check is Nursys QuickConfirm, which shows whether an RN license is single-state or multistate, its status, and its expiration. For official requirements, go to the California Board of Registered Nursing. See our California verification guide.

RN vs LPN/LVN vs APRN

The compact treats RN and LVN/practical-nurse licenses the same way. APRN roles are different — the compact does not cover them, so APRN authority is handled state by state even when your RN license is multistate.

Next-step checklist

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

Frequently asked questions

No. California does not currently issue multistate RN licenses to its residents, so a California RN license authorizes practice in California and does not carry compact privilege. A multistate RN license comes from a compact home state.