43 places where nurses can earn a multistate license

Forty-one states and territories have joined the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses to practice in person or via telehealth in all participating states under one multistate license.

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Massachusetts became the most recent state to join the compact in November. The compact aims to improve access to care by making it easier for nurses to work across state lines, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. 

States and territories that have signed or implemented the compact as of Dec. 6:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut (awaiting implementation)
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts (awaiting implementation)
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania (partially implemented) 
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Virgin Islands (awaiting implementation)
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

States with pending NLC legislation:

Michigan
Washington, D.C.

States with no legislative actions:

Alaska
California
Hawaii
Illinois
Minnesota
Nevada
Oregon
New York

Editor’s note: This article was updated Dec. 30.

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