How many states are in the Nursing compact?

40 jurisdictions are members of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) as of the latest data (effective since 2018). New states join frequently — verify on the official commission site.

What if my destination state isn't in the Nursing compact?

VAEIA 2022 / 50 U.S.C. § 4025a requires your destination state to recognize your valid out-of-state Registered Nurse license when you relocate due to military orders, even with no compact. The DoD reimburses up to $1,000 per PCS for relicensing fees.

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Profession Guide · Nursing

Registered Nurse license portability for military spouses

Allows an RN or LPN/VN with a multistate license to practice in any other compact-member state without re-licensing. Largest compact in the country.

Data as of May 2026|Source: Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) commission|Based on 40 member states

Published by the Honest MOS Editorial DeskVerified against DoD/.gov sourcesUpdated May 2026Editorial standards

States that accept your license (40)

Tap a state to see the full transfer answer for Registered Nurses.

AL · Alabama AZ · Arizona AR · Arkansas CO · Colorado CT · Connecticut DE · Delaware FL · Florida GA · Georgia ID · Idaho IN · Indiana IA · Iowa KS · Kansas KY · Kentucky LA · Louisiana ME · Maine MD · Maryland MS · Mississippi MO · Missouri MT · Montana NE · Nebraska NH · New Hampshire NJ · New Jersey NM · New Mexico NC · North Carolina ND · North Dakota OH · Ohio OK · Oklahoma PA · Pennsylvania SC · South Carolina SD · South Dakota TN · Tennessee TX · Texas UT · Utah VT · Vermont VA · Virginia WA · Washington WV · West Virginia WI · Wisconsin WY · Wyoming

States using the VAEIA backstop (11)

Not in the compact — VAEIA 2022 still requires recognition for spouses.

AK · Alaska CA · California HI · Hawaii IL · Illinois MA · Massachusetts MI · Michigan MN · Minnesota NV · Nevada NY · New York OR · Oregon RI · Rhode Island

Official Nursing compact site ↗← Back to the portability checker