Arizona and the Nurse Licensure Compact | Nursing License
In Arizona, nurses can get a nursing license that’s good for practicing nursing in other states. It can be beneficial as it allows for more job opportunities for the individual.
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows for the recognition of nursing licenses between the states who are members of this compact in the United States. The NLC will enable nurses to practice in more than one state without additional licenses.
Links of Interest:
Is Arizona a Compact State?
Arizona is indeed a compact state, having joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in July 2018. Being a compact state enables nurses who hold a multi-state nursing license in Arizona to practice in other NLC member states without needing to obtain additional licenses. This streamlines the licensure process for nurses and promotes increased access to healthcare across state lines. For nurses considering relocating to Arizona or professionals looking to work in multiple states, it’s essential to understand the benefits and requirements associated with the NLC and how being a compact state can impact their nursing career.
Compact Nursing States
Compact nursing states are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), an agreement that allows nurses with a multistate license to practice across participating states without obtaining additional licenses. This promotes nursing mobility, expands access to healthcare, and supports telehealth services. While the list of compact nursing states continues to evolve, some of the member states include Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Indiana, and Iowa, among others. To stay up-to-date on the current list of compact nursing states, it is advisable to visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website, which maintains a comprehensive and regularly updated list of NLC member states.
Primary State of Residence
For a Compact license, a nurse must apply in the state that is their primary residence. The primary state of residence is all about the person’s legal residency status. Their driver’s license, the person’s voter’s card, and federal income tax returns can show this. It does not have to do with whether or not they own property in the state.
When Arizona is the primary residence, and the nurse gets her nursing license, that license will be valid in other states that are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If the nurse obtained a nursing license in a state that was not their primary residence, other Compact states would not recognize that license.
Having one license for all the states within the Nurse Licensure Compact (listed below) makes it much easier, less burdensome, and less costly than obtaining single-state licenses in each state where the nurse wants to practice.
Compact License vs Multistate License
A Compact license and a multi-state license are the same things. It can get confusing as people often use the terminology interchangeably.
Length of Time Allowed to Practice in Another State
When a nurse has an Arizona nursing license and wants to practice in another state, there is no time limit for their practice in the other state. As long as their legal residency remains in Arizona, where the license was issued, and they remain in good standing, they can practice as long as they like in the other state.
However, if the nurse takes action which would change the legal residency, they must apply for a new license in their new home state. If the new residency state is on the list as part of NCL, then the nurse would still be able to have a multi-state license.
An example is this: a nurse lives and has a residency in Arizona but goes to practice temporarily in Nebraska. She has been there for five months, and her driver’s license expires. She doesn’t renew her Arizona license but gets a Nebraska driver’s license. She has unwittingly changed her state of residence, even though she doesn’t intend to stay there. Nurses must be careful not to change their state of residency.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NCL) States
Arizona is a Compact State. Note that the licensure requirements in each of the member states are aligned. With this the case, it is assured that all the other states have the same requirements, making for ease of mobility for nursing practice.
This is a list of all NCL states:
- Alabama
- Arizona: Learn more about an Arizona Nursing Board Investigation
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam (Guam allows nurses who hold active, unencumbered, multi-state licenses issued by Nurse Licensure Compact member states to practice in Guam under their multi-state licenses.)
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse)
- Maine
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey (New Jersey is allowing nurses who hold active, unencumbered, multi-state licenses issued by Nurse Licensure Compact member states to practice in New Jersey under their multi-state licenses.)
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio (Law passed and awaiting implementation)
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania (Law passed and awaiting implementation)
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont (Implementation starting 2/1/2022)
- Virginia
- West Virginia (Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse)
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
If you have questions about the nurse licensure compact (NLC) or about complications with your nursing license, contact an attorney at Stark Law today.
Legal Guidance for Arizona Compact Nursing License Issues
For direct legal help, contact us today or see our Nursing License Defense Attorney page.