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 (multistate 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 multistate licensure mean?
Similar to a driver's license, a multistate 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-four (24) states are currently participating in the NLC: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

4..  If I am applying for an RN or PN license by examination, how can I obtain a compact license?
Your declared primary state of residency will determine your eligibility for licensure by examination and/or issuance of a multistate or single state license.  If you declare your primary state of residence to be a compact state other than Colorado, you should not apply for licensure in Colorado.
All licenses issued to permanent Colorado residents will be compact licenses.  If a nurse changes their primary state of residence to any other State or US territory s/he is required to notify the Colorado State Board of Nursing by completing a Declaration of Primary State of Residence form.

5.   If I am applying for an RN or PN license by endorsement, how can I obtain a compact license?
Your declared primary state of residency will determine your eligibility for licensure by endorsement and/or issuance of a multistate or single state license.  If you declare your primary state of residence to be a compact state other than Colorado, you should not apply for licensure in Colorado. You must apply for licensure in your current primary state of residence.

With a multistate license, registered or licensed practical nurses do not need to obtain an individual license to practice in other compact (remote) states unless the nurse changes his/her primary residency from Colorado to any other State or US Territory.

• 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 current 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.

6.  How does the NLC affect my Colorado RN or PN license when reinstating?
Your declared state of residency will determine your eligibility for reinstatement and/or issuance of a multistate or single state license.  If your primary residence is in a compact state other than Colorado, do not reinstate your Colorado RN or PN license.  You must apply for licensure in your current primary state of residence. 

7. How does the NLC affect my Colorado RN or PN license when renewing my license?
Your declared state of residency will determine your eligibility for licensure and/or issuance of a multistate or single state license. 
If your primary state of residence is in a compact state other than Colorado, do not renew your Colorado RN or PN license.  You must apply for licensure in your current primary state of residence. If you pay your Colorado RN or PN renewal fee and it is determined that your Primary State of Residence is in another compact state (other than Colorado), your renewal fee will not be refunded.

8.  How do I update my primary state of residence with the State Board of Nursing?
If you hold a Colorado license (either multistate or single state) and you change your primary state of residence to any other state or US Territory, you need to submit a Declaration of Primary State of Residence form.
If you hold a Colorado single state license and you change your primary state of residence to Colorado, you need to submit a Declaration of Primary State of Residence form in order to receive a compact license.

9. 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 and your Colorado compact license will be inactivated.  Per the NLC Model Rules, the former home state license shall no longer be valid upon the issuance of a new home state license.

10.  If I change my address, does my primary state of residence automatically change?
No. Nurses changing their primary 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 primary residency address to another state must re-declare residency in the new state by submitting a Declaration of Primary State of Residence form.

11. 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:

1. Driver's license with a home address;
2. Voter registration card displaying a home address;
3. Federal income tax return declaring the primary state of residence.
4. Military Form no. 2058 - state of legal residence certificate; or
5. W2 from US Government or any bureau, division or agency thereof indicating the declared state of residence.

https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm

12.  I own property in Colorado but my primary residence is in another state.  Can I obtain a compact license in Colorado?
No.  Owning property in a compact state is not sufficient to meet residency requirements.  Documents which the NLC considers proof of residency are listed in question 11 above.  In order to be eligible for a compact multistate license in a compact state, your declared primary state of residency must be in the compact state where you hold the multistate license.  You may be asked to provide proof of residency.

13. My wallet card shows a future expiration date, but my license status online is "expired."?
The status of an RN or PN license is changed from ‘active’ to ‘expired’ when a nurse moves from Colorado to another participating compact state, claims residency there, and obtains multistate licensure in the new primary (home) state. 
Per the NLC Model Rules, the former home state license shall no longer be valid upon the issuance of a new home state license.
If you have questions regarding your expired or inactive Colorado license, you may contact the Nurse Compact Administrator at 303-894-2415.

14.  Are Advanced Practice, Prescriptive, and/or IV Authority included in the NLC?
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 multistate 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.
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 multistate license, but must comply with each state’s practice laws and certification requirements regarding IV authority. 

15. 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 multistate (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 multistate 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 multistate license from more than one compact state at a time.

16. 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.

17. 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 Nursys.com, https://www.nursys.com/Index.aspx (for nurses licensed by another compact state).

• If the wallet card states ‘active - single state’ then the nurse is authorized to practice only in the State of Colorado, except as stated in question 15 above. 
• If the wallet card does not specify ‘single state’ and is active, then this is considered a ‘compact/multistate’ license and the nurse is authorized to practice in Colorado as well as other compact states. 
• Nurses changing their primary residence to another state or US territory must re-declare residency by submitting a completed Declaration of Primary State of Residence form.  

Verification(s) of Advanced Practice, Prescriptive, and IV Authority for nurses whose licenses were issued in Colorado are also available online at https://www.doradls.state.co.us/alison.php.
Authority verification for a nurse whose RN or PN license was issued in another compact state is available by calling 303-894-7809.

18. I will be working in Colorado with a multistate license from (any other compact state). Do I need to notify the Colorado State Board of Nursing that I am working in the state?
No. The State 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 17 above.

19. 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 the remote state where the nurse is practicing on a privilege 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.

20. If I've been disciplined, am I eligible for licensure under the NLC?
An applicant is eligible for a multistate 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.

21. If I am currently participating in Peer Assistance Services (PAS) in Colorado, can I receive a multistate license?
Licensees enrolled in the PAS 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 their PAS contract.

22. Where can I get additional information about the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Check the State Board of Nursing website often for up-to-date information. You may also access the NLC website at https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm.