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Is a Puerto Rico LPN license a compact (multistate) license?

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

Is a Puerto Rico LPN license a compact license?

No. The compact does cover LPN (licensed practical nurse (LPN)) licenses, but Puerto Rico is not a compact state, so a Puerto Rico LPN license is single-state — valid in Puerto Rico 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. Puerto Rico does not currently issue multistate LPN licenses to its residents, so a Puerto Rico LPN license is single-state.

LPN and LVN are the same credential

Most states, including Puerto Rico, 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 Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico Board of Nurse Examiners, or see our Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico LPN license is valid in Puerto Rico only.
  • Confirm anything unclear directly with the Puerto Rico Board of Nurse Examiners.

Frequently asked questions

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