Each state issues licenses to new nurses and establishes its own requirements and procedures for doing so. This begs the question: Can you hold a nursing license in multiple states? What happens if you move away from the state where you took the NCLEX? It’s possible to practice as an RN in multiple states without obtaining a new license for each state. You will need a multistate nursing license, which can provide greater flexibility throughout your career.

Where could your nursing career take you? No matter which nursing specialty you choose or where you work, you can get your start at Concordia University, St. Paul. Our Accelerated BSN program is designed to empower nurses to work in all different settings and specialties. Plus, the accelerated timeline means you can fast-track your career switch to nursing.

Before taking the NCLEX and applying for your nursing license, you may wish to learn more about the multistate license and its benefits. It’s also useful to take a closer look at how to get a multistate license.

What Is a Multistate Nursing License?

A multistate license, also known as a compact license, allows you to practice in your home state as well as in other states. Note that it doesn’t allow you to practice in every state in the U.S. Instead, you will be restricted to working in the states that are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which is an agreement among states to honor nursing licenses across state and territory lines. As of March 2025, 43 jurisdictions belong to the NLC, and several others have pending legislation to join the compact.

If you decide to obtain a multistate nursing license, you’ll be able to work in any of the compact nursing license states. However, it’s important to note that you can only obtain a multistate license if your home state is one of the compact license states.

Concordia University, St. Paul has ABSN Learning Centers in Portland, Oregon, and St. Paul, Minnesota. As of March 2025, Oregon has legislation pending to join the NLC. It’s unknown whether the legislation will take effect or how long it will take to be implemented if passed. Minnesota currently does not have any legislation pending to join the NLC.

Because neither of these states is an NLC member, your home state must be elsewhere if you want a multistate license. Note that it’s not necessary to take the NCLEX in the same state where you graduated from nursing school. If you’re relocating to Oregon or Minnesota to attend our ABSN school, you could then travel back to your home state or another NLC state to take the NCLEX and apply for a multistate license.

Can You Hold a Nursing License in Multiple States?

If you take the NCLEX in a non-compact state like Oregon or Minnesota, can you obtain a multistate license later? Absolutely! You would need to move to a member state, designate that as your home state and then apply for a compact license.

What if you don’t want to declare one of the compact license states as your home state? You still have options. You could apply for a regular, non-multistate license in the other states where you would like to work, whether as a travel nurse or in another practice area. Keep in mind you’ll need to follow all requirements to maintain your licenses.

Benefits of the Nursing Compact

The NLC was created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to allow nurses to more easily practice beyond their home state and to allow healthcare facilities to meet their staffing needs with out-of-state nurses. The nursing compact offers benefits to nurses, health systems, and patients. These include:

• Better access to care, particularly for underserved areas
• Streamlined disaster response in other states
• Lower expenses for health systems
• Possibility of telehealth services delivered in other states
• Improved mobility of the nursing workforce

Understanding Compact License States

Some nurses may wonder, “Can I use my multistate license in a non-compact state? What happens if I move to a state that isn’t in the NLC?” You cannot use a multistate license to work in a non-compact state. You would instead need to obtain a single-state license for that state. If your home state is currently one of the compact license states and you would like to move to a non-NLC state, you would need a single-state license for your destination state, and your multistate license would no longer be valid.

Your primary state of residence (PSOR) is the state where you hold a driver’s license and voter registration card and pay state taxes, if applicable. You can only have one home state. If you wish to move to a different NLC member state, you can designate that new state as your PSOR.

How to Get a Multistate Nursing License

If you’ve decided that a multistate nursing license is the right choice for you, you’ll need to follow this process:

Verify Your Eligibility

First, you’ll need to verify that you’re eligible to apply for a multistate license. The eligibility requirements include:

• Living in a member state
• Having a valid U.S. Social Security number
• Having a nursing degree

Navigate the Application Process

There are different ways to apply for a compact license. You can submit an application for “license by exam” if you haven’t yet taken the NCLEX. You’ll receive your authorization to test as a compact license applicant.

If you’ve already taken the NCLEX and have a valid single-state license, you can apply to upgrade your current single-state license to a compact license. If you currently have a multistate license and wish to work in a non-compact state, you would need to apply for “license by endorsement” in the destination state to obtain a single-state license there.

You cannot apply for a license via the NCSBN; rather, you’ll need to follow the directions on your state’s Board of Nursing (BON) website.

Complete a Criminal Background Check

Each state has different procedures for applying for a multistate or single-state license, but they all require a criminal background check. You’ll need to follow your state BON’s directions for submitting your fingerprints and paying for the background check.

Confirm Your Approval

It may take several weeks or even a couple of months to receive approval. You should receive a notification from your state BON. You can confirm your status as a multistate nursing license holder by checking Nursys®.

Compact Nursing License Renewal and Maintenance

You may be wondering, “How often do I need to renew my compact nursing license? Do I need to retake the NCLEX if I move states?” First, you do not need to retake the NCLEX. You do, however, need to follow all requirements for renewing your license. The frequency and process for renewing your license depends on your PSOR’s requirements. Check your state BON’s website and follow the steps given there. You may need to submit proof of practice hours or continuing education (CE) credits.

Where Will Your Nursing Career Take You?

Regardless of your targeted nursing career path, the nursing education you’ll receive at Concordia University, St. Paul will serve you well throughout your career. Our faith-based nursing philosophy offers values-infused nursing education that graduates compassionate nurses driven to improve health outcomes for diverse populations.

If you’re eligible for our ABSN program, you could graduate with your nursing degree in as few as 16 months. You can also choose from three annual start dates with enrollment locations in Oregon and Minnesota. Contact an admissions advisor today and take the next step toward a nursing career.