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Is a New York LPN license a compact (multistate) license?

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

Is a New York LPN license a compact license?

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

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

The act that defines LPN practice in New York

The compact decides whether you may practice in New York. What LPN practice actually means here — scope, titles, what you may do and delegate — is set by New York’s own nurse practice act, N.Y. Educ. Law art. 139; 8 NYCRR pt. 64, and interpreted by the New York State Board of Nursing (Office of the Professions). Two states can both recognize your license and still differ on what you may do with it.

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. New York does not currently issue multistate LPN licenses to its residents, so a New York LPN license is single-state.

LPN and LVN are the same credential

Most states, including New York, 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 New York 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 New York State Board of Nursing (Office of the Professions), or see our New York 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 New York LPN license is valid in New York only.
  • Confirm anything unclear directly with the New York State Board of Nursing (Office of the Professions).

What to do with that answer

Frequently asked questions

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