How do I check whether my New York 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 New York State Board of Nursing (Office of the Professions).

Does the compact cover RNs and LPNs?

Yes. The Nurse Licensure Compact covers both RN and LPN/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 New York RN license a compact (multistate) license?

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

Is a New York RN license a compact license?

No. The compact does cover RN licenses, but New York is not a compact state, so a New York RN license is single-state — valid for practice in New York 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. New York does not currently issue multistate RN licenses to its residents, so a New York RN license is single-state.

Verifying your New York 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 New York State Board of Nursing (Office of the Professions). See our New York verification guide.

RN vs LPN/LVN vs APRN

The compact treats RN and LPN/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 New York RN license is valid in New York only.
Confirm anything unclear directly with the New York State Board of Nursing (Office of the Professions).

Frequently asked questions

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