Nursing Licensure Compact

Definition

The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement among participating U.S. states that allows nurses to have one multistate license, enabling them to practice in any other compact member state without needing to obtain additional licenses. This compact streamlines the licensure process and enhances workforce mobility, making it easier for nurses to respond to healthcare needs across state lines.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The NLC was created to address nursing shortages and improve access to care by allowing nurses to practice across state lines more easily.
2. As of now, over 30 states are members of the Nursing Licensure Compact, with more states considering joining.
3. Nurses must meet specific criteria to be eligible for a multistate license, including passing the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam and meeting background check requirements.
4. The NLC helps facilitate telehealth services by allowing nurses licensed in one compact state to provide care to patients in other compact states without additional licensure.
5. Each participating state retains the authority to regulate nursing practice within its borders and enforce its own laws related to nursing.

Review Questions

• How does the Nursing Licensure Compact improve the mobility of nurses across state lines?
  • The Nursing Licensure Compact improves nurse mobility by allowing them to hold a single multistate license that grants them the right to practice in any compact member state. This eliminates the need for nurses to apply for multiple licenses when relocating or providing care across state lines. As a result, it encourages a more flexible healthcare workforce that can quickly respond to patient needs in different areas.
• What are the eligibility requirements for nurses seeking a multistate license under the Nursing Licensure Compact?
  • To be eligible for a multistate license under the Nursing Licensure Compact, nurses must meet several criteria. They must have passed the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination and hold an active, unencumbered license in their home state. Additionally, they must undergo a criminal background check as part of the licensing process. Meeting these requirements ensures that only qualified nurses can practice across multiple states.
• Evaluate the impact of the Nursing Licensure Compact on healthcare delivery during emergencies or public health crises.
  • The Nursing Licensure Compact significantly enhances healthcare delivery during emergencies or public health crises by allowing qualified nurses to swiftly move and provide care where it's needed most without waiting for additional licensure. This rapid response capability can be crucial during events such as natural disasters or pandemics when demand for nursing services surges. By facilitating workforce flexibility and access, the NLC supports a more resilient healthcare system capable of addressing urgent health challenges.

Related terms

Multistate License: A license issued by a member state that allows a nurse to practice in multiple states that are part of the Nursing Licensure Compact.

Interstate Compacts: Agreements between two or more states that facilitate cooperation and regulatory practices, including the Nursing Licensure Compact.

State Board of Nursing: The regulatory body in each state responsible for licensing and overseeing the practice of nursing within that state.