Nurses: The eNLC Is Coming, Are You Ready?

On January 19, 2018, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) will change over to the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). On this date, nurses with multistate licenses may begin practicing in eNLC states.

There are a total of 35 states that will be part of the eNLC, but not all of the original 25 NLC states are changing over. Read on to see if your state will be part of the eNLC, and what you need to do depending on your state’s status.

The Shift from NLC to eNLC

First, a little history on why this shift is happening in the first place. Back in 2015, the Board of Nursing (BON) executive officers approved the eNLC to replace the original NLC and add extra protections. This shift will also make it easier for new states to join in the future and move towards the goal of all states joining the eNLC.

Similar to the NLC, nurses with licenses in eNLC states will be able to provide care to patients in other eNLC states without having to obtain additional licenses.

Where Does Your State Stand?

There are a number of states moving from the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) to the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC). [Source: Nurse.org]

Here is where every state stands as of December 14, 2020. You can also see the status of your state on this map created by the NLC.

List of eNLC states:

1. Alabama
2. Arizona
3. Arkansas
4. Colorado
5. Delaware
6. Florida
7. Georgia
8. Idaho
9. Indiana
10. Iowa
11. Kansas
12. Kentucky
13. Louisiana
14. Maine
15. Maryland
16. Mississippi
17. Missouri
18. Montana
19. Nebraska
20. New Hampshire
21. New Jersey (enacted eNLC - partial implementation*)
22. New Mexico
23. North Carolina
24. North Dakota
25. Ohio
26. Oklahoma
27. South Carolina
28. South Dakota
29. Tennessee
30. Texas
31. Utah
32. Virginia
33. West Virginia
34. Wisconsin
35. Wyoming

States With Pending Enhanced NLC Legislation

1. Massachusetts (pending legislation for eNLC)
2. Michigan (pending legislation for eNLC)
3. Pennsylvania (pending legislation for eNLC)
4. Rhode Island (pending legislation for eNLC)
5. Vermont (pending legislation for eNLC)

States Not in the Compact (not a current NLC state, no pending eNLC legislation)

1. Alaska [UPDATE]
2. California [UPDATE]
3. Connecticut
4. Hawaii
5. Illinois [UPDATE]
6. Minnesota [UPDATE]
7. Nevada
8. New York
9. Oregon
10. Washington

*Partial Implementation: New Jersey is allowing nurses who hold active, unencumbered, multi-state licenses issued by Nurse Licensure Compact member states to practice in New Jersey under their multi-state licenses.

To start learning about this shift, we suggest you watch these videos:

• If your state is already in the NLC and transitioning into the eNLC, watch this video.
• If your state is not already in the NLC but joining the eNLC, watch this video.

What Do You Need to be Doing?

What you need to worry about largely depends on which of these situations you fall in.

• If your state is currently in the NLC and transferring to the eNLC: You’re in luck! Nurses with an original NLC multistate license as of July 20, 2017 will be grandfathered into the eNLC.
• If your state is not currently in the NLC, but is joining the eNLC: New applicants will need to meet 11 uniform licensure requirements to qualify for a multistate license.
• If your state is currently in the NLC, and is pending legislation for the eNLC: If legislation passes, then you will also be grandfathered into the eNLC if you held an original NLC multistate license as of July 20, 2017. If not, your license will only be valid in the state it was administered.
• If your state is not currently in the NLC, and is pending legislation for the eNLC: If legislation passes, then you will need to meet the 11 uniform licensure requirements to qualify for a multistate license with the eNLC. If not, as normal, your license will only be valid in the state it was administered.
• If your state is currently in the NLC, but not joining the eNLC: Your state will need to initiate and pass legislation to join the eNLC for you to be grandfathered into the eNLC. If not, your license will only be valid in the state it was administered.
• If your state is not currently in the NLC, but not joining the eNLC: As normal, your license is only valid in the state it was administered. If you wish to apply for a multistate license with the eNLC, you must first declare your primary state of residence in a compact state to qualify. Otherwise, you can still apply for a single state license in states you are interested in working in.

The eNLC Implementation FAQs are a helpful resource if you have questions.

If you have any additional questions on the shift to the eNLC, or how to get licensed, feel free to reach out to the Nomad Navigators.

If you’ve already joined Nomad, begin your search for jobs in eNLC states here!

If you haven’t yet registered for Nomad, join here for free! Then you can begin your search instantly.

We're very excited about this expansion of the nursing licensure compact which makes it easier for nurses to help those in need nationally. By focusing on making it easier for new states to join in the future and moving towards the goal of all states joining the eNLC, the eNLC is vital to addressing the growing problem if clinician shortages.

Wishing all of our nurses the best of luck with their job search!

Warmly,

The Nomad Team
nomadhealth.com

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