Two Easy Ways to Get a Nursing License in Any of the 15 Non-Compact States
Interested in obtaining your nursing license in a non-compact state?
Many of us have heard of the eNLC compact agreement: an agreement between 35 states that allows nurses to travel across state lines, with a compact license, to practice nursing.
Those states include:
- 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
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
And many of us have looked into and/or acquired our compact nursing license.
To read more about how to get your compact license: click here.
But what if you want to work as a nurse, or a travel nurse in a state that is not currently a part of the eNLC? Those states & territories include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Washington D.C.
How to Get a Nursing License in a Non-Compact State
Step One: Wait until these states become part of the eNLC compact agreement
If you’re interested in Ohio or Pennsylvania: eNLC legislation has been enacted but is still awaiting implementation. For Ohio the eNLC agreement is expected to be implemented on January 1, 2023, for Pennsylvania, that date is still to be determined.
If you’re interested in any of the other non-compact states – there is currently no expected date for them to become a part of the eNLC compact, so what can you do?
Step 2: Get an out-of-state nursing license by state endorsement
Non-compact states will often have a path to licensure that includes a nursing licensure by state endorsement. To qualify for endorsement an RN will need to have an active nursing license, provide license verification either though an official document or online at nursys.com. If you have already taken an acceptable licensing exam (e.g., NCLEX), you will not be required to do so again.
Every state will have their own application process for licensure by endorsement. If you’re interested in obtaining information on the application process for these individual states click on the state you’re interested in below.
Q&A: Getting a Nursing License by Endorsement
Question: How long does it take to get a license by endorsement?
Answer: That will depend on what state you’re interested in. Our research found that in general applications are reviewed within 15 days and the whole process usually takes around 4-5 weeks.
Question: How much does a nursing license by endorsement cost?
Answer: It really does vary state to state, but in general we found fees ranged from $100-$400 to submit an endorsement application. This cost, however, does not include fees associated with notarized documents, fingerprinting & background reports.
Question: How much experience do I need to apply for licensure by endorsement?
Answer: In general, you’ll need at least 320 hours of employment in a nursing capacity within the last two years.
Question: Do travel nurse agencies reimburse these licensing fees?
Answer: Well, the good ones will reimburse you for your licensing fees! And the best ones guide you through the entire process of obtaining your licensure by endorsement so you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.
Guest Blog Post by Next Move Inc.
Next Move Inc. is a nurse first, nurse powered travel nurse agency located in Kansas City, Missouri that specializes in placing RNs into high paying travel nursing contracts throughout the Midwest & Southern states. Next Move does reimburse licensing fees for any RN that takes a contract with them as well as offers full healthcare benefits on Day 1 of an RNs contract. To learn what high paying travel nursing opportunities are available in your state of license & specialty please click here.
