If you've been waiting for the APRN Compact to simplify your multi-state licensing situation, here's the reality check: as of early 2026, it still isn't active. Only 4 states have enacted it - and it needs 7 before a single NP can use it. That means right now, if you want to practice across state lines, individual state licensure is still your only option. Understanding what the Compact is, what it isn't, and how to plan around it matters more than ever.
First, Let's Separate the NLC From the APRN Compact
This is the single biggest source of confusion we hear from NPs - and it's an easy mistake to make. There are two separate compacts, and they apply to very different groups of nurses.
The eNLC: For RNs and LPNs (Already Active)
The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) applies to RNs and LPNs. As of late 2025, 43 jurisdictions are full members and it is fully operational. If your RN license is in a compact state and it's your primary state of residence, you can practice as an RN in other compact states without additional licenses.
The APRN Compact: For NPs - But Not Active Yet
The APRN Compact is a completely separate agreement that covers nurse practitioners, CRNAs, CNMs, and CNSs. It was adopted by NCSBN in August 2020 - but it cannot go live until 7 states enact it. Right now, only 4 states have done so: Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah. It is not yet implemented anywhere. NPs cannot use it yet.
"Your eNLC compact RN license does not give you NP practice authority in other states. Full stop. As an NP, you still need an individual license in every state where you treat patients."
Why Is the APRN Compact Taking So Long?
The short answer is scope of practice variation. RN practice is relatively consistent across states, which made the eNLC easier to pass. NP practice is not. Some states grant full practice authority - NPs can assess, diagnose, treat, and prescribe independently. Others require varying degrees of physician oversight. Reconciling those differences in one compact framework has been politically difficult.
Opposition From Major NP Organizations
Several major nursing organizations have opposed the APRN Compact as currently written. The AANP - which represents over 461,000 NPs - has raised concerns about two key provisions:
- A 2,080 practice-hour prerequisite before an NP can apply for a compact license - roughly one year of full-time work after graduation
- No APRN advisory committee built into the compact's governance structure
Additionally, there are unclear legal protections for NPs providing reproductive health services across state lines under the compact
Pending legislation in states like Arizona, Montana, and New York has repeatedly stalled. As of March 2026, none of those states have enacted the compact - meaning the APRN Compact remains 3 states short of activation.
What the APRN Compact Would Actually Mean (When It Activates)
It's worth knowing what you'd gain once this does go live. The mechanics mirror the eNLC: your primary state of residence issues a multistate APRN license, and you can practice in any other compact member state using that single credential - no individual applications, no per-state fees, no separate renewal timelines.
The Telehealth Implication
For telehealth NPs especially, this would be a significant shift. Currently, you need an active NP license in the state where your patient is physically located at the time of the visit. The compact would let you treat patients across all member states under one credential - a major win for access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
One Critical Caveat
Even under the compact, you still practice under the laws of the state where your patient is located. If a state requires collaborative agreements or restricts prescribing authority, those rules still apply to you when treating patients there - even with a compact license.
What Your Licensing Strategy Should Look Like Right Now
Since the APRN Compact isn't operational, the strategy is the same as it's always been: get individually licensed in the states where you want to practice. And if you're strategic about it, you can cover enormous patient reach with just a handful of licenses.
Three Priorities to Guide Your Strategy
- High-population states first. California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania together cover 37.5% of the U.S. population. Five licenses, one in three Americans.
- Full Practice Authority states for telehealth. States where NPs have FPA mean less administrative burden - no collaborative agreements, no physician oversight requirements.
- More flexibility, more earning potential. Watch the compact states. If you live in Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Utah - or plan to move there - the APRN Compact may eventually expand your reach. Keep an eye on legislation in your state.
The licensing process - applications, background checks, fingerprinting, transcript requests, board follow-ups - typically runs 5 to 10 hours of work per state. Across 5 states, that's 25–50 hours of administrative work before you see your first patient in any of them.
Don't Wait for the Compact to Practice Where You Want
The APRN Compact is a promising development - when it eventually arrives. But today, it provides zero practical benefit. The NPs expanding their reach, growing their telehealth practices, and maximizing their income are the ones who built their multi-state license portfolio now, not the ones who waited. If you're ready to stop chasing paperwork and start practicing in the states that matter most, nplicensing.com handles every step - applications, follow-ups, renewals, and CEU tracking. We're NPs too. We built this because we lived it.
References
[1] NCSBN. Licensure Compacts - NCSBN Official Page
[2] APRN Compact. About the APRN Compact - aprncompact.com
[3] AACN. Compact Licensure for APRNs: The Chasm We Must Bridge
[4] Vivian Community Hub. Nurse Licensure Compact States - Updated October 2025
[5] SD Board of Nursing. APRN Compact Status - sdbon.org
[6] U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. Licensing Across State Lines - telehealth.hhs.gov