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Is a District of Columbia LPN license a compact (multistate) license?

In District of Columbia, practical nurses are licensed as licensed practical nurse (LPN). Here is how the Nurse Licensure Compact treats a District of Columbia LPN license, and how to tell whether yours is multistate.

Is a District of Columbia LPN license a compact license?

No. The compact does cover LPN (licensed practical nurse (LPN)) licenses, but District of Columbia is not a compact state, so a District of Columbia LPN license is single-state — valid in District of Columbia only. A multistate LPN license comes from a different, compact home state.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

How the compact treats LPN licenses

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

LPN and LVN are the same credential

Most states, including District of Columbia, use "licensed practical nurse (LPN)." Texas and California call the same credential an LVN (licensed vocational nurse). The compact covers LPN and LVN identically.

Verifying your District of Columbia LPN license

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

Next-step checklist

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

Frequently asked questions

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