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Is an Oregon RN license a compact (multistate) license?

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

Is an Oregon RN license a compact license?

No. The compact does cover RN licenses, but Oregon is not a compact state, so an Oregon RN license is single-state — valid for practice in Oregon 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

The act that defines RN practice in Oregon

The compact decides whether you may practice in Oregon. What RN practice actually means here — scope, titles, what you may do and delegate — is set by Oregon’s own nurse practice act, ORS ch. 678 (Nurse Practice Act), and interpreted by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Two states can both recognize your license and still differ on what you may do with it.

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. Oregon does not currently issue multistate RN licenses to its residents, so an Oregon RN license is single-state.

Verifying your Oregon 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 Oregon State Board of Nursing. See our Oregon 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 an Oregon RN license is valid in Oregon only.
  • Confirm anything unclear directly with the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

What to do with that answer

Frequently asked questions

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