Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Nurse Licensure Compact?
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is a mutual recognition model of nurse licensure that allows a nurse to have one license, issued by the state in which the nurse claims primary residence, and to practice in all states that have entered into the interstate compact (multi-state licensure). The nurse is subject to each state's practice laws and discipline but does not have to meet separate licensure eligibility requirements for each state.
2. What does multi-state licensure mean?
Similar to a driver's license, a multi-state nursing license allows a nurse who is licensed in one compact state (called a home state) to legally practice in another compact state (called a remote state). The NLC requires the nurse to adhere to the practice laws and rules of the state in which the patient(s) receives care.
3. What states currently participate in the NLC?
Twenty-three (23) states currently belong to the NLC: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
4. What does this mean for nurses applying for licensure in Colorado?
Under the NLC, a registered or licensed practical nurse, whose license is unencumbered and whose primary state of residence (home state) is Colorado, will be issued a multi-state license and will no longer need an individual license to practice in other compact (remote) states.
A registered or licensed practical nurse, whose primary state of residence is another compact state, will be required to apply for licensure in his/her home state if he or she does not already hold a license in that state. A nurse may hold a license in only one compact state and it must be the primary state of residence.
A registered or licensed practical nurse applying for licensure in a compact state, whose primary state of residence is a non-compact state, is issued a single state license valid for practice only in that one state. The licensee holding a single state license may not practice in other states unless licensed in the other state(s).
The nurse is responsible for complying with the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act in the state(s) where s/he is practicing.
5. What is an "unencumbered license"?
An unencumbered license is a license that is not revoked, suspended, or made probationary or conditional by the licensing or registering authority in the respective jurisdiction as a result of disciplinary action.
6. My wallet card shows an expiration date of 6/30/08 (or 9/30/08), but my license status online is "expired."?
On October 1, 2007, licenses were designated as single-state or multi-state, or were expired, based on the information contained in our database.
See question Question 4 for clarification of license designations. If you have questions regarding your expired license, please contact the Nurse Compact Administrator at 303-894-2415.
7. If I change my address, does my primary state of residence automatically change?
No. Nurses changing their residency address within the same state may update their address online at http://www.dora.state.co.us/registrations/online.htm or may submit a change of address in writing.
Nurses changing their address to another state must redeclare residency by submitting a Declaration of Primary State of Residence.
8. How is proof of residency determined?
NLC rules and regulations require that each nurse attest to his/her primary state of residence upon initial application, reinstatement, or renewal of the nursing license. Sources of proof that may be requested to verify primary residence include, but are not limited to, federal tax return, voter registration card, or driver's license.
9. Does the NLC include Advanced Practice, Prescriptive, and IV Authority?
The NLC includes registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPN/VNs), but does not incorporate the advanced practice, prescriptive, and IV authorities.
An RN holding an unencumbered license in Colorado who is also on the Advanced Practice Registry as a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Nurse Practitioner (NP) will be eligible to provide care as an RN in other compact states under the multi-state license, but must obtain advanced practice authority in each state in which s/he practices as an advanced practice nurse.
RNs providing care in Colorado under a compact license from another state must apply to Colorado for recognition on the Advanced Practice Registry. Advanced Practice Nurses who wish to obtain prescriptive privileges in Colorado must apply for Prescriptive Authority in addition to recognition on the Advanced Practice Registry.
LPNs who wish to practice IV Therapy and/or Phlebotomy (blood draw) must apply for IV Authority by endorsement.
A PN holding an unencumbered license in Colorado with IV authority will be eligible to provide care as a PN in other compact states under the multi-state license, but must comply with each state’s practice laws and certification requirements regarding IV authority.
10. What will happen to my current Advanced Practice Authority/IV Authority on October 1, 2007?
If your Colorado RN or PN license will be retained in an active, unrestricted status (single or multi-state), your Advanced Practice Authority/Prescriptive Authority/IV Authority will remain active and will be assigned the same expiration date as the underlying RN or PN license.
- If your Colorado PN license expires 6/30/08, you will be required to renew your IV Authority at that time.
- If your Colorado RN license expires 9/30/08, you will be required to renew your Advanced Practice Authority/Prescriptive Authority at that time.
- If your Colorado RN license expires 9/30/09, you will be required to renew your Advanced Practice Authority/Prescriptive Authority at that time.
If your Colorado RN or PN license expires effective October 1, 2007 due to primary residency and licensure in another compact state, your Advanced Practice Authority/Prescriptive Authority/IV Authority will remain active and you will be required to provide proof of RN or PN licensure in another compact state to retain the Colorado Advanced Practice Authority/Prescriptive Authority or IV Authority.
- You will receive a written request from the Board of Nursing to submit proof of licensure. Please do not send documentation prior to being requested to do so.
If your Advanced Practice Authority/Prescriptive Authority or IV Authority expires due to non-renewal, and you wish to reinstate that authority in the future, you will be required to apply under the rules in effect at the time of application.
11. I am in the military or work for the federal government. How does the NLC affect me?
A federal government/military nurse practicing exclusively in federal or military systems only needs one license from any state or territory per U.S. federal government/military policy.
A federal/military nurse practicing in a civilian setting must obtain the appropriate licensure for that state, i.e. a multi-state (compact) license or a single state license. A federal/military nurse that has proof of residency in a compact state may be issued a compact license with a multi-state practice privilege. A federal/military nurse that does not have proof of residency in a compact state may be issued a single-state license regardless of where the nurse is residing. A federal/military nurse may not hold a multi-state license from more than one compact state at a time.
12. Are Certified Nurse Aides included in the NLC?
No. Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) and Medication Aides are not included in the NLC. A Colorado CNA license is valid only for practice in Colorado.
13. How will an employer verify a nurse's license?
It is the responsibility of the employer to verify licensure of nurses they employ by either utilizing our automated information system online - ALISON (for nurses licensed in Colorado) located at https://www.doradls.state.co.us/alison.php or by connecting to the national database at www.nursys.com (for nurses licensed by another compact state).
Verification of Advanced Practice, Prescriptive and IV Authority for nurses whose licenses are issued in Colorado is also available on online at https://www.doradls.state.co.us/alison.php.
Authority verification for nurses whose RN or PN license is issued by another compact state is available by calling 303-894-2820.
14. I will be working in Colorado with a multi-state license from (any other compact state). Do I need to notify the Colorado Board of Nursing that I am working in the state?
No. The Colorado Board of Nursing does not require that nurses or employers provide notification of Colorado employment. Employers are responsible for verifying licensure as indicated in
question number 13 above.
15. If I change residency from one compact state to another, do I need to apply for licensure in my new state of residency?
Yes. Per the NLC rules and regulations, a nurse changing primary state of residence from one compact state to another may continue to practice under the former state license for 30 days. After the 30-day period, a license issued by the new compact state is required.
16. How are complaints about nurses handled within the NLC?
The licensing board of any compact state (home or remote) is authorized by the NLC to investigate allegations of unsafe practice by any nurse practicing in that state. Dependent upon the outcome of the investigation, both the state of licensure (home state) and state where the patient is located (remote state) may take action. The nurse's home state may take disciplinary action against the nurse's license; the remote state may deny the nurse's privilege to practice in that state.
States will continue to apply the same administrative and due process procedures for imposing discipline as they have always done. Current significant investigative information and disciplinary history will be available to states through NURSYS.
17. If I've been disciplined, am I eligible for licensure under the NLC?
An applicant is eligible for a multi-state license only if his/her license is "in good standing." If a nurse has been disciplined and is working under an agreement with stipulations, the nurse is only eligible for a single-state license at the discretion of the licensing board in the state in which application is being made.
16. How are complaints about nurses handled within the NLC?
The licensing board of any compact state (home or remote) is authorized by the NLC to investigate allegations of unsafe practice by any nurse practicing in that state. Dependent upon the outcome of the investigation, both the state of licensure (home state) and state where the patient is located (remote state) may take action. The nurse's home state may take disciplinary action against the nurse's license; the remote state may deny the nurse's privilege to practice in that state.
States will continue to apply the same administrative and due process procedures for imposing discipline as they have always done. Current significant investigative information and disciplinary history will be available to states through NURSYS.
17. If I've been disciplined, am I eligible for licensure under the NLC?
An applicant is eligible for a multi-state license only if his/her license is "in good standing." If a nurse has been disciplined and is working under an agreement with stipulations, the nurse is only eligible for a single-state license at the discretion of the licensing board in the state in which application is being made.
18. If I am currently participating in the Colorado Nurse Health Program (CNHP), can I receive a multi-state license?
Licensees enrolled in the CNHP program as an alternative to discipline will be granted a single state license that allows practice only in Colorado.
All NLC states must require nurses who enter any alternative programs to agree not to practice in any other NLC state during the term of the alternative program without the prior authorization from that NLC state.
Licensees enrolled voluntarily in a confidential program will be granted licensure according to NLC policy and must comply with the terms and conditions of the CNHP Agreement.
19. Where can I get additional information about the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Check the Colorado Board of Nursing website often for up-to-date information and timelines. You may also access the NLC web site at https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm.
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