Nurse Licensure Compact Information

This page has been developed to provide the nurses of Texas information and updates regarding the NLC. The Texas Legislature adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact in 1999 and it was signed into law by Governor George Bush on June 19, 1999. It became effective on January 1, 2000. The compact is an agreement between states to recognize each others' licensees. This model of mutual recognition was developed by the National council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to facilitate interstate practice and regulation. Benefits of the NLC include: The NLC allows nurses with compact licenses mobility to practice across state lines in other compact states with physically, telephonically, or electronically; compact state boards of nursing have established new levels of cooperation; and the public enjoys greater access to safe nursing care.

TEXAS COMPACT LICENSE

To be eligible for a Texas Compact License, a nurse must:
         1. Reside in Texas as his/her legal residence
         2. Hold an active RN/LVN license without current disciplinary action
         3. Declare Texas as his/her primary state of residence
         4. Meet Texas licensure requirements

When the nurse holding a Texas nursing license practices in another Compact State, he/she is accountable for complying with the nursing practice act of the state which the patient is located or where practice occurs.

The Texas Board of Nursing offers resources to assist nurses with primary multistate licensure outside of Texas who choose to practice in Texas using compact privilege to understand the Texas Nursing Practice Act. The interactive online course Nursing Regulations for Safe Practice provides an overview of current Texas laws and rules to uphold safe nursing practice. Please visit our Continuing Education Course Catalogue for more information at: http://www.bon.texas.gov/catalog/

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

• Nurse Licensure Compact - Texas Occupations Code (NPA)
• Nurse Licensure Compact - Rules and Regulations
  

BILLS & DECLARATIONS:

• Sworn Declaration of Primary State of Residence
• Status of bills introducing the compact in other states at the National Council Web Site

FACT SHEETS:

• What Nurses Need to Know
• What Nurse Employers Need to Know
• What New Nurse Grads Need to Know
• Fact Sheet for Legislators
• Frequently Asked Questions at the National Council Web Site

VIDEO:

• Video overview of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) explains the difference between single state and multistate licensure. Learn what states are compact states and registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) that are eligible for a multistate nursing license.