What is the Nurse Licensure Compact?
The NLC is an agreement among 40+ states and territories to recognize each other’s nurses who are licensed by compact members, similar to how states recognize each other’s driver’s licenses.
What is the current status of the NLC in Pennsylvania?
Since September 5, 2023, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold current multistate licenses through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) have been able to provide in-person and telehealth services to PA patients. This partial implementation of the compact was an important step in the process toward full implementation, which is expected to occur in 2025.
Can PA nurses obtain a multistate license to work in other NLC member states?
Not yet. Pennsylvania nurses will be able to apply for a multistate license once the compact has been fully implemented.
Stay Informed about the Nurse Licensure Compact
Find resources such as newsletters and webinars that provide nurses, nurse employers, and regulators with the latest information about the compact.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NLC
General Questions
An implementation date has not been set yet, so the State Nursing Board cannot receive applications for a multistate license at this time. However, the Board has published temporary regulations to assist licensees as they determine when and how to apply for a multistate license when it becomes available.
Yes, but it will not affect your ability to practice nursing in the Commonwealth. When the Board fully implements the NLC, all existing Pennsylvania RN and LPN licenses will be marked “single state.” The expiration date for your license will not change.
For Current Pennsylvania Nurses
No. You must apply through the Board for a multistate license. You must meet all requirements listed on the application form to obtain a multistate license.
No. You may continue to work as an RN or LPN In Pennsylvania on your single state license. However, if your primary state of residence is in Pennsylvania (referred to as your “home state”) and you also want to practice in other NLC states (referred to as “remote states”), you can apply for a multistate license.
A nurse must:
- meet Pennsylvania’s licensure requirements under Section 6 of the Professional Nursing Law or Section 5 of the Practical Nurse Law, depending on the license being sought;
- complete three hours of training in child abuse recognition and reporting from a provider approved by the Department of Human Services;
- have graduated from a board-approved or international pre-licensure education program (approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and verified by an independent credentials review agency as being comparable to a board-approved pre-licensure education program);
- have passed an English language proficiency (ELP) examination, if applicant graduated from an international education program not taught in English or if English is not applicant’s native language;
- have passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN Examination or predecessor exam;
- hold or be eligible for an active, unencumbered license;
- have submitted an FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check;
- have no criminal convictions, including being found guilty or having entered into an agreed disposition (ARD) for a state or federal felony offense;
- have no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing (determined on a case-by-case basis);
- not currently be a participant in an Alternative to Discipline program (see Question #10 for more information);
- have self-disclosed current participation in an alternative program; and
- have a valid United States Social Security number (not a TIN).
You can learn more about the uniform licensure requirements for a multistate license on the NLC page.
The state in which an RN or LPN declares a primary residence for legal purposes is their primary state of residence. Acceptable proof of primary state of residence in Pennsylvania includes:
- a Pennsylvania driver’s license;
- a Pennsylvania voter registration card;
- a federal income tax return with Pennsylvania declared as the primary state of residence;
- military form no. 2058 indicating residence in Pennsylvania; or
- a W2 form from the United States government or any bureau, division, or agency indicating residence in Pennsylvania.
No. You are only eligible for a Pennsylvania multistate license if you can document that your primary state of residence is in Pennsylvania. However, you may obtain a Pennsylvania single state RN or LPN license to practice in the Commonwealth.
No.
If you move to another NLC state (referred to as a “remote state”), you must apply for a multistate license in that state within 60 days, but you may practice on your Pennsylvania multistate license until the new application is processed. Once your multistate license is issued in your new state, your Pennsylvania multistate license will be deactivated.
If you move to a state that is not a member of the NLC (referred to as a “non-compact state”), your Pennsylvania multistate license will be deactivated and your Pennsylvania license will be converted to a single state license. You may hold multiple single state licenses from compact and non-compact states.
You may start the licensure application process in the new state prior to moving.
For more information regarding requirements for various moving scenarios, visit the NLC website.
No. You must hold an active, unencumbered license to be eligible for a multistate license. Once your license has been reinstated to unencumbered status, you may apply for a multistate license.
No. Once the term of your ATD is completed, you may apply for a multistate license.
No.
Previous misdemeanor convictions are reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.
As an existing licensee, you do not have to submit evidence that you completed three hours of training in child abuse recognition and reporting or, where applicable, that you passed a Board-approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) Examination.
And unless you received your license by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S. 3111, you also are not required to document completion of an approved nursing education program. If you received your license by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S. 3111, you are required to document completion of an approved nursing education program.
Effective January 13, 2025, under Act 79 of 2024, all applicants for a healthcare practitioner license in Pennsylvania must submit a full set of fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) for an FBI criminal background check. PSP has contracted with IDEMIA for digital fingerprinting. You can register with IDEMIA and be fingerprinted at any IdentGo site.
You can find more information about applying for the required FBI criminal background check here.
RNs and LPNs are required to be licensed in the state where the recipient of nursing practice is located at the time service is provided. A multistate license allows the RN or LPN to practice in their home state and all compact member states with one license issued by their home state. This eliminates the burdensome, costly, and time-consuming process of obtaining single state licenses in each state of practice.
An RN or LPN may hold only one multistate license, but it is valid for practice in all compact member states.
The fee to convert an existing Pennsylvania license to a multistate license is $105.00.
No. The NLC pertains to RN and LPN licenses only. However, a multistate license may be used to meet the RN licensure pre-requisite for CRNP and CNS certifications.
Yes. Licensees can check their license type and status for free through Nursys.
Yes. Licensees can subscribe to NLC newsletters.
Yes. Information pertaining to travel nurses is available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s (NCSBN) website:
For First-Time Applicants for a Pennsylvania License
You may apply for a single state license if you will be practicing only in Pennsylvania. Or, if your primary state of residence is Pennsylvania and you want to practice in other NLC member states, you may apply for a multistate license.
It depends upon the pathway for licensure.
- The fee for an initial multistate license by endorsement is $180.
- The fee for an initial multistate license by endorsement with examination is $250.
- The fee for an initial multistate license by examination for graduates of a Board-approved nursing education program is $135.
- The fee for an initial multistate license by examination for graduates of out-of-state nursing education programs is $230.
- The fee for an initial multistate license by examination for graduates of foreign nursing education programs is $250.
Yes. The uniform licensure requirements are the same for existing licensees and new applicants. But since new applicants have not yet provided any documentation to the Nurse Board, they will need to provide all required information to support the uniform licensure requirements. For more information, see Question 5 in the FAQs for Current Pennsylvania Nurses.
Read the NCSBN’s military fact sheet here for more information.
For Healthcare Employers
Yes. Pennsylvania is a member of the NLC, so RNs and LPNs who hold active, unencumbered, multistate licenses issued by NLC member states have a privilege to practice in Pennsylvania under their multistate license.
For an updated list of participating jurisdictions, please visit the NCSBN’s site.
Nursys is a free national database providing licensure and disciplinary information on all RNs and LPNs. Employers and the public can access Nursys to look up a nurse's license and disciplinary status. The report provided will contain the nurse's name, jurisdiction, license type, license number, compact status, license status, expiration date, any discipline against license, and any discipline against privilege to practice.
Employers may register their nursing workforce in Nursys’ e-Notify at no cost. Employers will then receive e-notifications of disciplinary action taken on any license the nurse holds in the U.S., as well as any changes in active status, license status, and license expiration.
The multistate license, as with single state Pennsylvania-issued licenses, can be verified at Nursys.com.
The procedure for filing complaints is the same as it is for Pennsylvania-issued single state licenses and privileges to practice in Pennsylvania.
About Other Healthcare Licensure Compacts
Yes. In 2020, Pennsylvania fully implemented the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which allows psychologists to obtain authorization to practice telepsychology and/or a temporary authority to practice (TAP) n participating states.
More than 900 Pennsylvania psychologists have obtained privileges through PSYPACT to practice across state lines.
Not yet.
Pennsylvania partially implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in September 2023, recognizing the practicing privileges of nurses who obtain multistate licenses through that compact.
Pennsylvania partially implemented the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) in August 2024, allowing out-of-state physicians with a license and “letter of qualification” from a compact member state to designate Pennsylvania as a state where the physician wants to obtain expedited licensure to practice.
Compact
An interstate agreement between two or more states established for the purpose of remedying a particular problem of multistate concern, in this case, the Nurse Licensure Compact ("NLC"). A video explaining the NLC is available on the NLC’s website.
Compact or Member State
Any state that has adopted the NLC.
Home State
The compact state that serves as the nurse's primary state of residence.
Remote State
A compact state other than the home state where the patient is located at the time nursing care is provided or, in the case of the practice of nursing not involving a patient, a compact state where the recipient of nursing practice is located.
Primary State of Residence ("PSOR")
The state (also known as the home state) in which a nurse declares a primary residence for legal purposes. It is the state in which the nurse holds a driver's license, pays taxes, and votes.
Multistate License
A license to practice as an RN or LPN/VN (licensed vocational nurses) which is issued by the home state licensing board and which authorizes the nurse to practice in all compact member states.
Single State License
A nurse license issued by a compact member state that allows practice only within the issuing state. This license does not grant a privilege to practice in any other compact state.
Nursys
A national database that provides license and disciplinary information on all RNs and LPN/VNs, as contributed by compact member states. The public, including nurse employers, can access Nursys for free to look up a nurse's license and discipline status.
Privilege to Practice ("PTP")
Current, official authority from a remote state permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or an LPN/VN in that state. All compact member states have the authority, in accordance with existing state due process law, to take actions against a nurse's privilege, such as revocation, suspension, probation or any other action which affects a nurse's authorization to practice.