Nursing Compact States Map (2026)
37 of 50 states are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This color-coded map groups every state by region so you can see at a glance where a multi-state license grants a privilege to practice and where full endorsement is required.
Northeast (0 compact of 0)
Midwest (2 compact of 2)
South (0 compact of 0)
West (0 compact of 0)
Check Any State’s Compact Status
Use the interactive verifier to confirm whether a state is an NLC member and what license type you would hold.
Is Your State a Compact State for Nursing?
Select a state to see its Nurse Licensure Compact status and whether you need a multi-state or single-state license.
Compact vs. Non-Compact States: Reference Table
A structured reference of all 50 states showing compact status, the license type issued, and whether endorsement is required.
| State | NLC Status | License Type Issued | Endorsement Required | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | AL → |
| Alaska | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | AK → |
| Arizona | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | AZ → |
| Arkansas | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | AR → |
| California | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | CA → |
| Colorado | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | CO → |
| Connecticut | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | CT → |
| Delaware | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | DE → |
| Florida | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | FL → |
| Georgia | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | GA → |
| Hawaii | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | HI → |
| Idaho | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | ID → |
| Illinois | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | IL → |
| Indiana | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | IN → |
| Iowa | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | IA → |
| Kansas | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | KS → |
| Kentucky | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | KY → |
| Louisiana | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | LA → |
| Maine | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | ME → |
| Maryland | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | MD → |
| Massachusetts | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | MA → |
| Michigan | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | MI → |
| Minnesota | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | MN → |
| Mississippi | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | MS → |
| Missouri | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | MO → |
| Montana | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | MT → |
| Nebraska | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | NE → |
| Nevada | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | NV → |
| New Hampshire | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | NH → |
| New Jersey | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | NJ → |
| New Mexico | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | NM → |
| New York | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | NY → |
| North Carolina | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | NC → |
| North Dakota | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | ND → |
| Ohio | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | OH → |
| Oklahoma | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | OK → |
| Oregon | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | OR → |
| Pennsylvania | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | PA → |
| Rhode Island | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | RI → |
| South Carolina | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | SC → |
| South Dakota | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | SD → |
| Tennessee | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | TN → |
| Texas | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | TX → |
| Utah | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | UT → |
| Vermont | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | VT → |
| Virginia | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | VA → |
| Washington | Non-Compact | Single-state | Always | WA → |
| West Virginia | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | WV → |
| Wisconsin | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | WI → |
| Wyoming | Compact | Multi-state | If you relocate here | WY → |
Nurse Licensure Compact Guide
How multi-state licenses work, primary state of residence rules, and when you still need endorsement.
How to Transfer Your License
Moving to a non-compact state? Follow the step-by-step endorsement process, fees, and timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii a compact state for nursing?
No. Hawaii is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so it is a non-compact state. A nurse whose primary state of residence is Hawaii holds a single-state license, and a multi-state license held in another compact state does not grant practice privileges in Hawaii. To practice in Hawaii you must apply for licensure by endorsement through the Hawaii Board of Nursing.
How many states are in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
37 of 50 states currently participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, leaving 13 non-compact states where full endorsement is required.
Does a compact license let me practice in every state on the map?
No. A multi-state license issued by your primary state of residence only grants a privilege to practice in other compact (green) states. Non-compact states on the map always require licensure by endorsement, regardless of your home license.
Not in a compact state yet?
Start the transfer process