How The New eNLC Will Affect Travel Nurses
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) adopted the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) on May 9, 2015. The eNLC became effective on January 19, 2018.
A compact state license allows nurses to work in other compact states fluidly with one multi-state license. To qualify, nurses must have a permanent address in a NLC state (with a driver’s license to prove it). This is especially important for travel nurses, who regularly hop from state to state for new assignments.
Under the original NLC, 25 states were recognized as compact. However, things have shifted dramatically under the new eNLC. As of March, 2025, 43 states have enacted eNLC legislation. Of those, 38 have fully implemented the eNLC and 5 are in the implementation process. Here’s the how eNLC is different from the original NLC, and what travel nurses need to know.
What States Have Fully Implemented the eNLC?
Here are the 38 states that have fully implemented the eNLC:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
What States are in the Process of Implementing the eNLC?
Here are the states that are in the process of implementing the eNLC:
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Pennsylvania
- Guam
- U.S. Virgin Islands
What is different about the eNLC
One of the main goals of the eNLC is to make it easier for states to join, with the ultimate goal of 100% participation nationwide. A key factor in accomplishing this is the standardization of criteria eNLC states will require for licensure. When states joined the original compact agreement, they each came with their own unique set of requirements, varying in scope.
To hold a multistate license in an eNLC state, nurses will have to meet the same 11 uniform of requirements, including a background check. Those who do not meet the criteria may still be eligible for a single-state license.
Who will the eNLC affect
At some point, the eNLC will affect all travel nurses – almost exclusively for the better since it will significantly shorten the licensing process for eligible states. Here’s what you need to know:
If you live in Rhode Island where the new eNLC has not been enacted…
Rhode Island is the only NLC state that has not yet enacted the eNLC. If this is your home state and you currently have an NLC license, then you will need to apply for a single-state license to work outside of Rhode Island.
If you already hold a multistate license through another NLC state:
The other 24 states in the NLC have enacted the eNLC. For these states, you do not have to apply for a new license to work in eNLC states. You’ll be grandfathered in as long as you held an active multi-state license prior to July 20, 2017.
If you do not live in a current NLC state now, your state might have already decided to join the eNLC…
These states are Georgia, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Florida and West Virginia. They will be active eNLC compact states as of January 19, 2018. If one of these 5 states is your home state, then you’ll need to apply for an eNLC license with the state’s BON. Once granted an eNLC license, travel nursing in other eNLC states will be seamless.
If you do not live in a state that has already joined the eNLC, then there is still hope. Your state might have eNLC legislation pending…
Nurses with permanent addresses in Massachusetts, Michigan, Indiana, Vermont, Illinois and New Jersey can apply for an eNLC multi-state license if/when the legislation is approved (date to be determined).
If you do not live in a NLC or eNLC state…
Stay tuned! The goal of the new compact agreement is to get more state participation in the long run. Your state could be next to join!
The NCSBN has already provided a handy list of FAQs on their website for any additional questions and details about the eNLC.
Hi Sunny! Sorry for the confusion, we’ve updated our map and fixed the error.
I followed the link to the map. It has Minnesota listed for eNLC but I haven’t found anywhere else that we’re planning on joining (I know there’s been interest, but not official legislation). Is there anywhere else that you’ve seen MN listed?
Hey Sunnie,
My sincerest apologies for the confusion. You’re correct. I haven’t seen MN anywhere else either and am unaware of any pending legislation. The was a guest article. I have let the author know. Hopefully, they update their map!!