er travel nurse michigan

Michigan Travel Nurse Jobs

Find travel nursing jobs in michigan, michigan travel nursing jobs by specialty.

The most popular nursing specialties with positions available in Michigan include:

Cardiac Cath Lab Cardio ICU Cardio OR Case Management ER (Emergency Room) ICU (Intensive Care Unit)

Interventional Radiology L&D (Labor & Delivery) LTC/SNF Medical Surgical NICU OR (Operating Room)

PACU Psychiatric Unit Radiology Stepdown Telemetry Wound Care

Everything you need to know about Travel Nursing in Michigan

Michigan is a popular state for travel nurses and travel allied health professionals! Some call it The Great Lake State, some say The Mitten State, and still others prefer The Wolverine State. Whatever you want to call it, lots of travel nurses love to call it home for 13 weeks at a time. From Motor City to The Great Lakes, Michigan has so much to offer travelers. There’s big-city excitement and culture as well as pristine wilderness and water, plus high demand and many travel nurse jobs, making it a wonderful location to enjoy the flexibility and freedom of a travel nursing career. Read on to learn more about the many opportunities available when you take your career in care to Michigan. Search travel nurse jobs in Michigan and apply now to get started!

Travel Nursing in Michigan

The Great Lake State (our favorite of Michigan’s nicknames) is an inspiring and fulfilling place to launch or continue your travel nursing career! When you take a Michigan assignment with Medical Solutions, you’ll have access to great travel nurse jobs with great pay and benefits .

Michigan has hospitals and clinics abound, and that means travel healthcare jobs aplenty. With the state’s natural beauty, many travel nurse jobs, and plenty to see and do on your days off, Michigan is truly a great state! Plus, with Michigan’s average annual nurse salary of $73,980 and the seventh-lowest cost of living in the U.S., it’s a good state to choose for travel nursing.

U.S. News & World Report ’s 2021/2022 Best Hospitals list evaluated 162 Michigan hospitals, including #1-ranked University of Michigan Hospitals-Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, #2-ranked Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak in Royal Oak, a two-way tie between #3-ranked Beaumont Hospital-Troy in Troy and Beaumont Hospital-Grosse Pointe in Grosse Pointe, and #5-ranked Spectrum Health-Butterworth and Blodgett Campuses in Grand Rapids. Michigan has many other clinics and non-hospital healthcare facilities throughout the state as well.

U.S. News & World Report ’s 2021 Best States list ranked Michigan at #38 overall and #5 for opportunity. Because of its many traveler-friendly hospitals, The Great Lake State is a top location for nurses hoping to work in travel healthcare, try out some cool cities, enjoy an abundance of incredible natural beauty, and earn great wages!

Michigan is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) , but there is pending legislation to enact the NLC there. The NLC allows nurses to practice in other NLC states without getting additional state licenses. New states are frequently joining so keep an eye on the latest NLC map . In the meantime, our team is happy to help you with any Michigan state licensing questions.

Quick Michigan Facts

State Nickname : The Great Lake State, The Mitten State, The Wolverine State

Capital City : Lansing

Largest Cities : Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing

Charming Towns : Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Frankenmuth, Mackinac Island

Cost of Living : Seventh-lowest cost of living in U.S.

Average RN Salary : $73,980

Random Trivia : Michigan has the nation’s longest freshwater coastline.

To Do and See in Michigan

Michigan has rolling hills, bustling cities, stunning beaches, very interesting history, and so much more for travelers to check out while on assignment.

First, there are the Great Lakes, of course! Michigan shares a border with four of the five Great Lakes, giving it the longest freshwater coastline in the United States. That means tons of lake fun, including boating, swimming, water sports, sailing, lighthouses, and, of course, lots and lots of beaches and cute coastal towns. In fact, wherever you are in the Great Lake State you’ll never be more than 85 miles from a Great Lake. Makes you rethink what a travel nursing assignment with beaches could look like, eh?

Popular attractions and destinations in Michigan include Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pictured Rocks National Seashore, The Henry Ford (a trio of attractions devoted to learning about the auto legend), Isle Royale National Park, Belle Isle Park, Windmill Island, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Detroit Institute of Arts, Tahquamenon Falls, Crystal Mountain, the Motown Museum, Bond Falls, Wilderness State Park, Big Sable Point Lighthouse, and so much more!

In Detroit you can explore auto and music history, as the city’s famous for its automobile innovations and Motown’s proud music traditions. Ann Arbor calls to many for its educational excellence and cool culture. Sport fans will love cheering for Michigan’s many pro, semi-pro, and collegiate powerhouse teams.

The Midwest likes to eat well, and Michigan is no exception. Some of this state’s classic eats include the famous Detroit-style square pizza, zip sauce, tart cherries, Coney dogs, apple cider, cider donuts, paczkis (aka Polish donuts), Cornish pasties, Greek food, blueberries, chipati, Frankenmuth chicken dinner, whitefish, fudge on Mackinac Island, and tons more.

We connect care by staffing top healthcare facilities in Michigan  with brilliant Travel Nurses .

Checkmark A checkmark in a circle that is dark. Personalized Pay Packages

Travel Nurses working in Michigan enjoy a personalized payment package with great wage rates, licensure and certification reimbursement, a 401(k) with an immediately vested company contribution, loyalty and referral bonuses, and more.

Checkmark A checkmark in a circle that is dark. Great Benefits

We offer our travel nurses and travel allied health professionals day one medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus the option of several additional voluntary benefits, including life, long-term disability, critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, and AD&D insurance.

Checkmark A checkmark in a circle that is dark. Employee Assistance Program

Current travelers also have automatic, free access to our employee assistance program (EAP) through Cigna, which includes eight free counseling sessions and many more free resources to support you and your family in every facet of life.

Checkmark A checkmark in a circle that is dark. Travel Nurse Housing

When it comes to making a home in your latest location, Medical Solutions travelers have the option of company-provided, private, fully furnished, secure, pet-friendly housing arranged by our expert housing team or a non-taxable housing stipend that helps you arrange and pay for your own housing costs, depending on your eligibility and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your questions about michigan travel nursing jobs with medical solutions and travel nursing in general..

ER Travel Jobs

Browse nationwide er jobs now (tons exclusive only to aya)..

We don’t have anything that matches your search right now — but we update our jobs daily, so check back soon! Or register now , update your profile and save job searches to be notified when a job that matches your parameters becomes available!

We're currently updating our jobs so please check back soon!

Log in with Aya

Looks like you already have an account with Aya. Log in and access pay and facility information.

Register with Aya

Get instant access to pay and facility information.

• At least 8 characters
• 1 lowercase letter
• 1 uppercase letter
• 1 symbol/special character

*File types allowed: TXT, PDF, DOC *Maximum file size: 20MB

Already have an account? Log in here .

Aya delivers:

• Unlimited complimentary CEUs through MedBridge. Access unlimited CEUs that count towards licensing and additional education hours.
• The most jobs in the industry. We have the largest and most reliable job database, which means the jobs you see are open, updated in real time and ready for you!
• Competitive advantage over other agencies. Front-of-the-line access through our direct facility relationships — many with quick (even same-day) offers, giving you the best chance of securing your ideal opportunity.
• Expedited licensing and streamlined compliance. An industry-leading on-time start rate and strong relationships with boards of nursing across the country to accelerate the process in all 50 states.
• Expert career guidance. A dedicated recruiter to help you achieve your dream career. Travel, per diem, permanent — we have the reach and access to get you the jobs you want, and the expertise to help you realize your long-term goals.
• A best-in-class support system and an exceptional experience. Enjoy accurate, weekly pay, and an entire team dedicated to your happiness on assignment, 24/7.

Plus, you get everything you expect from the largest healthcare staffing company in the industry:

• Exceptional benefits, including premium medical, dental, vision and life insurance beginning day one of your assignment. Want to take time off? Keep insurance coverage for up to 24 days between assignments.
• A generous 401(k) match.
• Paid company housing (we'll help you bring your pets along, too!) or a generous housing stipend.
• Paid sick time in accordance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws. Aya's general sick leave policy is that employees accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. However, to the extent any provisions of the statement above conflict with any applicable paid sick leave laws, the applicable paid sick leave laws are controlling.
• The industry's only clinical ladder program for RNs on assignment.
• Access to unlimited continuing education units online.
• Licensure, relocation and other reimbursements, when applicable.
• Pay listed above includes taxable wages and tax-free expense reimbursements.

For all employees and employee applicants, Aya is an Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") Employer, including Disability/Vets, and welcomes all to apply. Please click here for our EEO policy.

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT STATE LAW REQUIRES A CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.

• A rental car and bi-weekly weekend travel home.

With Aya Locums you get:

• Access to top hospitals and healthcare systems in diverse care settings.
• Highly competitive, transparent locum tenens pay.
• Dedicated application and assignment support.
• In-house credentialing and licensing teams.
• Full coverage of licensing costs.
• Travel and lodging coverage.
• Easy timekeeping and streamlined management of documents.
• Malpractice coverage and risk management support.
• Premium medical, dental, vision and life insurance beginning day one of your assignment.
• Paid sick time. Aya provides paid sick leave in accordance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws. Aya's general sick leave policy is that employees accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. However, to the extent any provisions of the statement above conflict with any applicable paid sick leave laws, the applicable paid sick leave laws are controlling.
• Generous 401k match.
• Aya may provide other benefits where required by applicable law, including but not limited to reimbursements.
• Aya coordinates all travel and lodging accommodations.
• Travel information is received the evening prior to your scheduled departure.
• Airfare is covered and, if driving to the assignment, reimbursement is available.
• Once notice is received, communication from our team is sent via email and text to ensure you are kept in the loop as soon as information becomes available.
• Your safety is Aya's top priority. We work closely with the facility to ensure additional security measures are taken onsite so you can focus on what really matters: patient care.
• Licensure, relocation and other reimbursements.

Experience the Aya difference today

• A dedicated recruiter who advocates for you every step of the way.
• We'll ensure the hiring manager prioritizes your interest and schedules an interview quickly.
• A streamlined hiring process means offers are often presented within 24-48 hours after an interview with a hiring leader.
• Flexible start dates that work around your availability.
• We make it simple with one point of contact the entire time.
• University of Washington (UW) offers a wide range of benefits as part of your total compensation package. Choose from top medical and dental insurance programs; plan for your future with tax-deferred investing through the UW retirement options; enjoy generous vacation and sick leave policies; and protect yourself and your family with life and long-term disability insurance. For more information, follow the links shown below or explore the Benefits website at http://hr.uw.edu/benefits/

With Aya, you get:

• Higher compensation - we negotiate on your behalf.
• Work-life balance - contracts are up to 40 hours per week, with workdays ending mid-late afternoon and weekends off!
• An employee advocate - our team ensures you have the support needed to be successful in your role.
• Options post contract - extend, convert to a permanent employee or find a new job.
• Paid company housing (pets are welcome to tag along) or a generous housing stipend.
• If qualified, continued insurance coverage over the summer.
• A generous 401k match.
• A robust team to support you every step of the way.
• A credentialing specialist to streamline the entire compliance process.
• Freedom and flexibility around your current schedule.
• The easy-to-use Shifts app. Select shifts anytime, anywhere.
• Premium medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Front-of-the-line access to exclusive jobs at thousands of healthcare facilities nationwide.
• A robust team to support you every step of the way to ensure you start on time, have accurate payroll and an exceptional experience.
• Certification and other reimbursements, when applicable.

Privacy Overview

Compact Nursing States 2024 List | Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)

• Last Updated: February 27, 2024

If you’re hoping to become a travel nurse and work in areas outside of your home state, obtaining the proper travel nursing licenses may seem overwhelming.

Fortunately, compact nursing states have streamlined the licensing process, making it easier for nurses to gain the proper qualifications to work in multiple states that have passed legislation to implement the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

However, not every state has implemented the NLC. So, how do you know if your state offers or accepts the license?

In this article, you’ll discover a compact nursing states list and map to find out if your state or the state you want to work in recognizes the NLC. If not, don’t worry, you still have options. However, if you can obtain an NLC license, the process of finding travel nursing contracts will be much simpler.

Additionally, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the NLC and eNLC, including a brief history and licensing requirements.

Table of Contents

What does partial nlc implementation mean, what does awaiting nlc implementation mean, states with pending nursing compact legislation, what states don’t recognize the enlc, compact nursing states map, can an aprn hold a compact license, what is the nlc, what is the enlc, why are compact nursing states important, requirements for enlc license, how to obtain your enlc license, what if my state is not a compact nursing state, 1. compact to compact, 2. compact to non-compact, 3. non-compact to non-compact, 4. non-compact to compact, how many states are compact nursing states, do i need to retake nclex for every state i practice in, what does nlc mean in nursing, what does enlc mean in nursing, what’s the difference between nlc and enlc, compact nursing states list.

There are currently 41 compact nursing states and territories in the United States. All of the following states have passed legislation approving compact nursing licensure, though a few of these jurisdictions are still awaiting implementation:

• Guam ( legislation enacted March 5, 2021 ; partial implementation in place)
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania ( partial implementation began September 5, 2023 )
• Rhode Island ( officially implemented January 1, 2024 )
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Virgin Islands ( legislation enacted December 6th, 2021 ; awaiting implementation)
• Washington ( partially implemented July 24, 2023 ; fully implemented January 31, 2024 )
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin  
• Wyoming 

As of February 2024, if you have an NLC license, you can work as a travel nurse in any of the states and territories listed above without obtaining additional single-state licensure. The only exception is Virgin Islands, which is awaiting implementation.

Additionally, if your primary residence is one of the above states or territories, you can apply for your NLC license. The only exceptions are Pennsylvania, Guam, and Virgin Islands, which are all still awaiting full implementation as of February 2024.

Partial NCL implementation means that a state or territory has enacted nurse licensure compact legislation. Additionally, according to the official Nurse Compact site , nurses with multi-state licenses from other states are allowed to practice in states with partial implementation.

However, nurses from states and territories with partial implementation may not yet obtain a multi-state license until the legislation is fully implemented.

As of February 2024, the two locations with partial implementation are Pennsylvania and Guam. This means nurses with multi-state licenses can practice in these areas without obtaining single-state licensure.

However, nurses from Pennsylvania and Guam may not yet obtain multi-state licenses. As of this article’s most recent update, there is no set date for full implementation in either location yet.

Awaiting NLC implementation means a state or territory has enacted legislation to become an NLC member, but does not yet allow nurses with multi-state licenses to practice there without obtaining single-state licensure.

Likewise, nurses in these areas cannot yet obtain a multi-state license until full implementation occurs.

As of February 2024, the only state or territory with “awaiting implementation” status is the Virgin Islands. As of this article’s most recent update, there is no set date for partial or full implementation yet.

While the states we mentioned in the previous section have all either passed or implemented legislation to enact the eNLC, the following states have introduced, but not yet passed, legislation to become a compact nursing state:

• Alaska ( HB 149 and SB 130 )
• Connecticut ( HB 5058 )
• Hawaii ( HB 667 , HB 1264 , HB 2158 , HB 2415 , SB 670 , SB 2492 , and SB 3104 )
• Illinois ( HB 1622 , HB 4434 , SB 0041 , and SB 2795 )
• Massachusetts ( HB 1211 , HB 1251 and SB 747 )
• Michigan ( HB 4935 )
• Minnesota ( HF 1005 and SF 3281 )
• New York ( AB 03391 , A 06421 , A 07946 , and S 06873 )
• Washington, D.C. ( B 25-0430 )

Unfortunately, not every state has enacted or introduced legislation to become a compact nursing state. The following states and territories are not eNLC members and have no plans to recognize the license in the immediate future:

• American Samoa
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Nevada ( legislation defeated in February 2021 )

While the states listed above do not recognize the eNLC, it doesn’t mean you can’t work as a travel nurse in those jurisdictions–it just means the process for obtaining licensure will be more challenging.

To learn how, check out the section of this article titled “What If My State Is Not A Compact Nursing State?”

The following compact nursing states map indicates the NLC status of each state in the US.

To see an interactive version of this map, click here .

No, APRNs cannot currently obtain a compact license. However, these licenses may become available in the near future. In fact, the APRN compact will come into effect once seven states enact the legislation.

Currently, four states have enacted the APRN compact legislation :

• Delaware (enacted Aug. 4, 2021)
• North Dakota (enacted March 9, 2021)
• South Dakota (enacted Feb. 5, 2024)
• Utah (enacted March 24, 2022)

Additionally, two states have pending APRN compact legislation :

• Arizona ( SB 1295 )
• Maryland ( HB 0425 and SB 0359 )

What Are Compact Nursing States?

Compact nursing states are states that recognize the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact, or eNLC. This is a multi-state license that allows nurses to work in other compact nursing states, avoiding the costly and time-consuming process of applying for single-state licensure each time they work in a state outside their primary residency.

The debate over whether to implement a multi-state nursing license to deal with the limitations of single-state licensure stretches back as far as 1995. That year, Pew commissioned a report that concluded single-state licensure would continue failing to meet healthcare needs.

In fact, the report concluded that single-state licensure was costly, restrictive, and only vaguely related to quality of care.

So, in 1997, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) implemented a multi-state licensure model that allowed nurses with the appropriate license to practice in other compact nursing states. 

Two years after NCSBN released their first multi-state licensure model, they officially implemented the NLC, or Nurse Licensure Compact, in 1999. This license created uniform rules and policies for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses in participating states.

The purpose of the NLC was (and the purpose of the eNLC still is) to allow nurses with the proper license to practice in other compact nursing states that recognize the legitimacy of the license.

By 2000, the first states to join the nursing compact included Maryland, Texas, Wisconsin, and Utah.

However, some state nursing boards, like the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA), criticized the NLC for a number of reasons. They argued that the NLC:

• Removed too much power from state nursing boards 
• Forced states to give up licensure revenue while paying NLC fees
• Created state-by-state discrepancies in disciplinary infractions and legal issues

The NLC included about 25 states in 2015, but some were wary of the issues raised by ONA over the preceding 15 years. To deal with these worries, the NCSBN developed a new compact nursing state model.

To address the concerns raised by NLC detractors, NCSBN developed the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact, or eNLC, in 2015. The eNLC included:

• Additional uniform licensing requirements
• Background checks
• Provisions concerning disciplinary action

In January of 2018, the old NLC was phased out, and nurses who hadn’t switched to the new eNLC license weren’t able to practice in other compact nursing states.

By 2019, the eNLC was recognized by 31 states, and today there are 41 compact nursing states and territories, with more set to join the agreement pending legislation.

Compact nursing states are important because they allow nurses to practice in multiple states without having to apply for a new single-state license every time they work in a new state. This helps nurses avoid the costly and time-consuming process of applying for and renewing their licensure each time they work away from home.

Compact Nursing State agreements also benefit healthcare facilities, because they:

• Allow nurses to work in new states without delays 
• Reduce costs for hospitals, insurance companies, and patients
• Support the efficient delivery of healthcare

Overall, nursing compact states benefit everyone involved in the delivery of healthcare.

To obtain an eNLC license, your primary residence must be in a compact nursing state that recognizes and has implemented the eNLC license.

Additionally, per the NCSBN , you must meet the following requirements, which are uniform for every state:

• Meet the requirements for licensure in your state of residency
• Graduate from a board-approved education program (students from an international education program can also be eligible if the program is authorized by an accrediting body in the applicable country and verified by an independent credentials review agency)
• Pass an English proficiency exam (only applicable for graduates of an international education program in which the program is not delivered in English or if English is not the applicant’s native language)
• Pass the NCLEX-RN (for Registered Nurses) or NCLEX-PN (for Licensed Practical Nurses)
• Hold or be eligible for an active, unencumbered RN or LPN license
• Submit to state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks
• Not been convicted or found guilty, or entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law
• No misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing (determined on a case-by-case basis)
• Not currently a participant in an alternative program
• Self-disclose current participation in an alternative program
• Have a valid United States Social Security number

Obtaining your eNLC license is actually a pretty straightforward process.

The first thing you’ll want to do is confirm that your primary state of residence is a compact nursing state. Then, make sure you meet all the requirements we listed in the previous section to ensure you’re eligible for a multi-state nursing license.

From there, you should be able to go to your state board of nursing’s website to upgrade your RN license to an eNLC license. 

Assuming you meet all the eligibility requirements, you should be able to follow the website’s instructions to upgrade your license. Look for a link that says something along the lines of “eNLC Application” or “Apply for Multi-state License.”

After your application is reviewed and approved, you should get your eNLC license in the mail. The time it takes to receive the license can vary from state to state, so don’t hesitate to contact your state board of nursing to find out how long it may take to arrive.

If your primary state of residence or the state you want to work in is not a compact nursing state, it doesn’t mean you can’t work in another state. However, the process for obtaining the proper licensure will take longer and be more complicated.

In fact, you’ll have to apply for a single-state license in every state in which you wish to work. This can be a time-consuming process, so it’s best to start applying as soon as possible.

Additionally, you can hold multiple single-state nursing licenses at once, but you’ll have to renew each license and complete required continuing education credits to maintain them. The good news is that your CEU’s can be used to fulfill license renewal requirements for multiple licenses.

Finally, in order to determine single-state license requirements, you’ll need to consult each state board of nursing in which you hope to hold a valid license.

Can You Transfer Your Nurse License To Another State?

If you decide to move to a new state as a nurse, you will need to update your licensure. NCSBN defines your primary state of residence as:

“The state (also known as the home state) in which a nurse declares a primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify a nurse’s primary residence may include driver’s license, federal income tax return or voter registration. PSOR refers to legal residency status and does not pertain to home or property ownership. Only one state can be identified as the primary state of legal residence for NLC purposes.”

Below, we detail various different scenarios you may face when moving as a nurse .

If you live in a compact nursing state and change your primary residence to another state that recognizes the legitimacy of the eNLC, you’ll need to apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state.

The good news is that you can practice with your old license until the new one is issued, because both states accept the eNLC. However, it’s still best to apply for licensure in your new state as soon as possible.

Once your new eNLC license is issued, the old one is considered inactive.

If you move from a compact nursing state to a non-compact state, you will need to apply for a single-state license by endorsement.

Since non-compact states don’t accept the eNLC license, it’s best to apply for single-state licensure as soon as possible, because you won’t be able to practice with your multi-state license in a non-compact state.

If you move from one non-compact state to another, you will need to apply for a new single-state license in the state you’re moving to.

Since neither state offers a multi-state license, you will need a separate single-state license for the state you’re moving to. Therefore, it’s best to begin the licensure application process as soon as possible, since you won’t be able to practice in the new state with your old single-state license.

The final variation for nurses changing their primary state of residence is moving from a non-compact to a compact state. 

In this scenario, you’ll again want to apply for licensure in your new state as soon as possible, because the single-state license you hold in the non-compact state won’t be acceptable for practice in your new residency. However, you’re able to apply before or after the move.

The good news is that once you obtain licensure in the compact state, you can upgrade to an eNLC license. This will give you the ability to work in any other compact state without having to apply for a new license.

Additionally, your single-state license in the state you moved from will still be valid until it expires.

Compact nursing states and the eNLC license make working as a travel nurse much simpler than having to apply for single-state licenses. Since one license is valid in multiple states, the often-complicated, costly, and time-consuming process of obtaining licensure is minimized and streamlined.

Even though the eNLC license makes things easier, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream of working in a non-compact state, and the same is true if your primary state of residence is a non-compact state.

Whether you live or want to work in a compact nursing state or not, there’s no denying that travel nurses have a lot of opportunities to explore the country and earn a much higher salary than their resident nurse counterparts.

To find a travel nursing placement suited to your interests and needs, click here to explore your options !

Compact Nursing States FAQs

The following are frequently asked questions regarding compact nursing states.

How many states and territories are in the nursing compact?

As of February 2024, 41 states and territories have enacted the eNLC in the United States.

There are currently 39 compact nursing states, and two United States territories which recognize the eNLC.

No, the NCLEX is a national exam that is uniform for each state, so you only need to pass it once.

NLC stands for Nurse Licensure Compact, and it is the predecessor of the eNLC. It allowed nurses to practice in other compact nursing states without gaining additional single-state licensure.

eNLC stands for Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact, and it is the successor of the NLC. Like the NLC, the eNLC also allows nurses to practice in other compact nursing states without gaining additional single-state licensure.

The NCSBN introduced the eNLC to address concerns raised by those opposed to the NLC.

The NLC and eNLC are both multi-state agreements allowing nurses to practice in any compact nursing state as long as they hold the license.

However, the original NLC was phased out in 2018 in order to fully implement the new eNLC, which created additional licensing requirements and provisions regarding disciplinary action and required criminal background checks.

After the NCSBN implemented the eNLC and addressed concerns raised by state nursing boards concerning the original NLC, states felt more compelled to pass legislation and become compact nursing states.

Is Massachusetts A Compact State?

No, Massachusetts is not a member of the nurse compact. However, the state does have pending legislation to become a an NLC member.

For now, this means a nurse must have a single-state Massachusetts license to practice within the state. Additionally, nurses licensed in other states must apply for a Massachusetts license by endorsement.

Is Pennsylvania A Compact State?

Yes, Pennsylvania passed legislation to become an NLC state. However, the Keystone state has not fully implemented the compact yet.

As of February 2024, the state has “partial implementation” status. This means nurses with a multi-state license can practice within Pennsylvania. However, Pennsylvania nurses must wait for full implementation before they can apply for an eNLC license.

Is Minnesota A Compact State?

No, Minnesota is not a nurse compact state. However, the state does have pending legislation to become a member.

Until the legislation is enacted and implemented, nurses with a multi-state license may not practice in Minnesota without obtaining additional single-state licensure. Nurses in the state also cannot apply for multi-state licensure yet.

Is Illinois A Compact State?

No, Illinois is not a nurse compact state. However, the state does have pending legislation to become a member.

Until the legislation is enacted and implemented, nurses with a multi-state license may not practice in Illinois without obtaining additional single-state licensure. Nurses in the state also cannot apply for multi-state licensure yet.

Is New York A Compact State?

No, New York is not a nurse compact state. However, the state does have pending legislation to become a member.

Until the legislation is enacted and implemented, nurses with a multi-state license may not practice in New York without obtaining additional single-state licensure. Nurses in the state also cannot apply for multi-state licensure yet.

Is Michigan A Compact State?

No, Michigan is not a nurse compact state. However, the state does have pending legislation to become a member.

Until the legislation is enacted and implemented, nurses with a multi-state license may not practice in Michigan without obtaining additional single-state licensure. Nurses in the state also cannot apply for multi-state licensure yet.

Is Tennessee a compact state?

Yes, Tennessee is part of the Nurse License Compact.

Is North Carolina a compact nursing license state?

Yes, North Carolina is a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Is South Carolina a compact state?

Yes, South Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Is Montana a compact state?

Yes, Montana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. 

Is Maine a compact state?

Yes, Maine is is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Is Nevada a compact state?

No, Nevada is not part of the nurse compact agreement. Legislation to become a compact state was defeated in February 2021, and there are currently no bills in the legislature to change their status.

Is Maryland a compact state?

Yes, Maryland was actually the first state to join the Nurse Licensure Compact in 1999.

Is California a compact state?

No, California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Additionally, there is currently no legislation to change their status.

Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family. 

Get The Latest Nursing News In Your Inbox

Stay on top of the latest word that affects your career., more to explore.

Per Diem Nursing: The Ultimate Guide For 2024

Per Diem Nursing may sound fancy, but it’s not as intimidating as it might sound. Learn what it is and if it’s right for you here!

Best Nursing Schools in Colorado: Top 15 Options For 2024

The Centennial State boasts lots of ADN, BSN, MSN, and DNP programs to choose form. Discover the best nursing schools in Colorado here.

It's time For the next step

Whether it's a new a job, or continuing your education, betternurse.org is your career partner..