Compact Nursing License States List (2026 Update)

Understanding Compact vs Non-Compact Licensure, Florida’s Role, and CE Impact for Nurses.

For many nurses, multi-state licensure sounds simple in theory, but in practice, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) creates confusion, especially around continuing education (CE), renewal requirements, and compliance.

Questions like “Does my Florida license work in other states?”, “Do I still follow Florida CE rules?”, and “What happens if I move?” are common—particularly for nurses working travel contracts, telehealth roles, or border-state facilities.

This 2026 update provides a clear, Florida-focused breakdown of compact vs. non-compact licenses, how CE requirements work under the compact, and what happens to your compliance if you move.

What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to hold one multi-state license that permits practice in multiple states without applying for separate licenses in each participating state.

Multi-state license: Allows practice in all compact states.
Single-state license: Valid only in one state.

To hold a multistate license, a nurse must reside in a compact state, declare that state as their primary state of residence (PSOR), and meet uniform licensure requirements.

Compact State

A state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses can:

Practice physically or via telehealth in other compact states.
Use one license across multiple jurisdictions.
Avoid multiple state license applications.

Non-Compact State

A state that does not participate in the NLC. Nurses must:

Apply for individual state licenses.
Meet each state’s CE rules.
Renew each license separately.

Florida’s Role in the Nurse Licensure Compact

Florida is a compact state. This means Florida nurses can hold a multistate license and practice in other compact states. Florida becomes the home state of licensure if it is your primary residence.

The Critical Rule

Your home state controls your CE requirements, not the state where you work.

For Florida nurses, this means you must follow Florida CE laws, even when practicing in other compact states.

Compact Nursing License States List (2026)

As of 2026, the following states are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (subject to legislative updates):

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Non-Compact States (Examples)

In these states, multistate licenses do not apply; separate state licensure and CE compliance are required:

California, New York, Oregon, Nevada, Illinois, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, Michigan, Massachusetts, Minnesota.

CE Impact: The Most Misunderstood Part of Compact Licensure

This is where nurses make the most mistakes. If Florida is your primary state of residence and licensure, you must follow Florida CE laws, mandatory courses, renewal cycles, and CE Broker reporting rules. This applies even if you work in Georgia, Texas, Arizona, or any other compact state.

Common Misconception

“If I work in another compact state, I follow their CE rules.” — Incorrect.

Correct rule: You follow Florida CE requirements as long as Florida is your home state license.

If You Move: What Changes?

Scenario 1: You move to another compact state. Your multistate license shifts to your new home state. Your new state now controls CE requirements, and Florida rules no longer apply.
Scenario 2: You move to a non-compact state. You lose multistate privileges. You must apply for a new state license, your Florida license becomes single-state, and you follow the new state's CE rules.

High-Risk Compliance Errors to Avoid

Completing the Wrong State’s CE
Many Florida nurses complete CE based on work location, not licensure state. This causes renewal denial and CE Broker noncompliance.
Assuming Compact = CE Exemption
Compact licensure does not reduce CE requirements.
Multi-State Work Without CE Planning
Working across states increases compliance risk if CE is not managed properly.

Compact vs Non-Compact Summary

Area	Compact State Nurse (Florida Home State)	Non-Compact Nurse
License	Multistate	Single-state
Practice	Multiple states	One state
CE Rules	Florida rules	That state’s rules
Reporting	CE Broker	State system
Renewal Authority	Florida	Local state
Compliance Control	Florida BON	Local BON

Final Clarity for Florida Nurses

Compact licensure gives practice flexibility, but it does NOT change compliance responsibility. Your home state controls your CE. If you want to complete your Florida CE requirements efficiently and maintain compliance across compact states, explore our Florida-approved options.

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