Nurse Licensure Compact-- General info
Effective June 1, 2010, Missouri is the 24th state to implement the Nurse Licensure Compact.
For more information on how will affect nurses' legal rights, see our webpage.
What is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is a system of reciprocal licensure in participating states. Nurses with primary residence in an NLC 0state can get licensed in their home state, and practice in any remote state in the NLC. In order to get a multi-state license, a nurse MUST have permanent residence in an NLC state. Under the principle of mutual recognition, a nurse with a multi-state NLC license may practice in any NLC state without prior approval unless otherwise restricted.
What states participate in the NLC?
As of June 1, 2010, there are twenty-fourth states in the NLC. Participating states include: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
To what kind of nursing licenses does the NLC apply?
In general, the NLC applies to Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/VNs). The NLC does not apply to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nor does it grant IV authority for LPN/VNs.
Specific to Missouri, APRNs from other NLC states may practice in Missouri after obtaining a Missouri document of recognition. Similarly, LPN/VNs may practice IV therapy after obtaining approval from the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Who monitors compliance with the standards of the NLC?
The Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators (NLCA) was created in 2000 to monitor compliance with the NLC and facilitate the exchange of information between NLC state nursing boards. Once a state joins the NLC, it must appoint its own NLCA administrator to fulfill this role.
How does a state become a member of the NLC?
In order to join the NLC, a state must enact the interstate compact into its state law or regulation. Model NLC legislation has been drafted by National Council of State Boards of Nursing.