US Medical Term · regulatory
Nurse Licensure Compact
Compacto de Licencia de Enfermería
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Nurse Licensure Compact |
| Spanish (Español) | Compacto de Licencia de Enfermería |
| Chinese (中文) | 护士执照协议 |
| Korean (한국어) | 간호사 면허 협약 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Hiệp ước Cấp phép Y tá |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Kasunduan sa Lisensya ng Nars |
| Portuguese (Português) | Acordo de Licenciamento de Enfermagem |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ข้อตกลงใบอนุญาตพยาบาล |
| Japanese (日本語) | 看護師免許協定 |
What it means
An agreement among participating U.S. states that allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to hold a single multistate license. A nurse with a compact license can practice in any member state—in person or via telehealth—without obtaining an additional state license. Over 40 states participate as of 2024. This matters for patients using telehealth, because the nursing staff supporting your virtual visit may be licensed under a compact state. Nurses must follow the practice laws of the state where the patient is physically located, not where the nurse is based.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
nurs LY-sen-sher KOM-pakt
compacto de licencia de enfermería
Also called the NLC or Multistate Compact
También llamado el NLC o Compacto Multiestatal de Enfermería
Staff may say: 'My NLC license covers this state'
'Mi licencia NLC cubre este estado'
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026