What the Nursing Compact Does for Reinstatement
If you hold a Nursing Compact license in one state and let it lapse, you can reinstate it in that state or use it to obtain a license in another Compact state without retaking the NCLEX or NCLEX-PN. The Compact is a mutual recognition agreement between 34 states (as of 2024) that treats a nurse licensed in one member state as licensed in all member states under a single multistate license.
The key reinstatement advantage is this: you do not have to reapply from scratch in a new state if both your original state and your target state are Compact members. Your original state's Board of Nursing can reinstate your lapsed license, and you can then use that reinstated Compact license to practice in any other Compact state. You avoid duplicate licensing fees, duplicate background checks, and the waiting time that comes with a full new process.
If your original state is not a Compact member, or if you are moving to a non-Compact state, the Compact does not help — you will follow the standard reinstatement and endorsement process for that specific state.
Key Takeaways
- A reinstated Nursing Compact license is valid in all 34 Compact member states without additional state-by-state licensing.
- You must reinstate your license in the state where it originally lapsed before you can use it in another Compact state.
- Reinstatement requirements (fees, continuing education, background check) are set by your original state's Board of Nursing, not by the Compact itself.
- If either your original state or your target state is not a Compact member, you must complete that state's separate endorsement or reinstatement process.
- The Compact does not waive any state's renewal fees or continuing education requirements — it only eliminates the need to retake the NCLEX.
Which States Are Part of the Nursing Compact
The Nursing Compact currently includes 34 states. The full list changes as states join, so you must verify membership before assuming your license will transfer. States that are members include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
States that are not Compact members include California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. If your original license was issued in a non-Compact state, or if you are moving to one, you cannot use the Compact pathway — you will need to contact that state's Board of Nursing directly for reinstatement or endorsement requirements.
You can confirm current Compact membership on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website or by contacting your state Board of Nursing directly. Membership lists are updated as states join.
Steps to Reinstate Your Compact License in Your Original State
Your first step is always to reinstate your license in the state where it originally lapsed. You cannot use a Compact license in another state until it is active in your home state.
- Contact your original state's Board of Nursing. Locate the board's website and find the reinstatement section. You will need your original license number and the date it lapsed.
- Review the reinstatement requirements. These vary by state but typically include a reinstatement fee (usually $100 to $300), proof of current CPR certification, continuing education hours completed during the lapsed period, and a background check or affidavit of good standing.
- Submit the reinstatement process and supporting documents. Most boards accept online submission; some still require paper forms mailed to the board office. Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Pay the reinstatement fee. Fees are non-refundable. Some boards accept credit card, check, or money order; confirm the payment method before submitting.
- Wait for board processing. Reinstatement typically takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the state's workload and whether your process is complete. Incomplete applications delay approval.
- Receive your reinstated license. The board will issue a new license number or reactivate your original number. You will receive a physical license or digital verification, depending on the state.
Using Your Reinstated Compact License in Another State
Once your license is reinstated in your original Compact state, you can practice in any other Compact member state under that same license. You do not need to obtain a separate license in the new state.
However, you must notify your employer and your new state's Board of Nursing of your intent to practice there. Some states require you to file a Nurse Licensure Compact Declaration or a straightforward notification form stating that you are a Compact licensee working in that state. This is not a new process — it is a record-keeping step. Contact the Board of Nursing in your new state to ask whether a declaration or notification is required and how to submit it.
Your employer may also ask for proof of your reinstated license. Request an official license verification or a digital license record from your original state's Board of Nursing and provide it to your employer and your new state's board.
Continuing Education and Renewal Under the Compact
Once your license is reinstated and active, you remain responsible for meeting your original state's renewal requirements — not the requirements of every state where you work. This is one of the Compact's main benefits: a single set of renewal rules instead of managing multiple state renewals.
Your original state will set the renewal cycle (typically every 2 to 3 years), the continuing education hours required, and the renewal fee. You must complete those requirements and renew with your original state to keep your Compact license active. If you fail to renew in your original state, your Compact license lapses in all 34 member states at once.
Some states require a certain number of continuing education hours to be completed in specific clinical areas (such as patient safety or infection control). Confirm your state's specific requirements when you reinstate, so you know what to track before your first renewal.
What Happens If Your Original State Is Not a Compact Member
If your license originally lapsed in a non-Compact state, you cannot use the Compact pathway. You must reinstate your license in that state first, then contact the Board of Nursing in your target state to begin the endorsement process.
Endorsement (also called reciprocity) means you are asking a new state to recognize your license from another state and issue you a license there. Non-Compact states set their own endorsement rules. Some require continuing education verification, some require a background check, and some require you to retake the NCLEX. The process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks and costs $150 to $400, depending on the state.
Contact your target state's Board of Nursing and ask for the endorsement process and requirements. Provide your original license number, the date it lapsed, and proof of reinstatement in your original state. The board will tell you what additional steps are needed.
Common Mistakes During Compact Reinstatement
Assuming you are automatically licensed in another state. The Compact does not create automatic licensure. You must reinstate in your original state first, then notify your new state's board that you are working there as a Compact licensee. Some states require a formal declaration; others just need notification. Check with the new state's board.
Submitting an incomplete reinstatement process. Missing documents — such as proof of CPR, continuing education transcripts, or a background check authorization — will delay your reinstatement by weeks. Before you submit, create a checklist of every document the board lists as required and verify you have each one.
Confusing reinstatement with renewal. Reinstatement is a one-time process to reactivate a lapsed license. Renewal is the ongoing cycle you follow after reinstatement. They have different fees, different timelines, and different requirements. Do not pay a renewal fee when you should be paying a reinstatement fee.
Forgetting to renew before the important date. Once reinstated, your Compact license is subject to your original state's renewal cycle. If you miss the renewal important date, your license lapses again — and this time in all 34 Compact states at once. Set a calendar reminder at least 60 days before your renewal due date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstate my Compact license if I have been inactive for more than 5 years?
Most Compact states allow reinstatement regardless of how long you have been inactive, but some may require additional documentation or a refresher course if the lapse exceeds a certain period (often 5 to 10 years). Contact your original state's Board of Nursing to ask whether your specific lapse period triggers extra requirements.
Do I have to renew my license in my original state if I am working in another Compact state?
Yes. You renew only with your original state, not with the state where you are working. Your original state's renewal cycle, fees, and continuing education requirements explore, regardless of where you practice. This is the core benefit of the Compact — one renewal instead of many.
What if I move to a state that is not a Compact member?
You cannot use your Compact license there. You must reinstate your license in your original state, then contact the non-Compact state's Board of Nursing to begin the endorsement process. That state will set its own requirements, which may include retaking the NCLEX, additional background checks, or specific continuing education.
Can I hold a Compact license and a separate license in a non-Compact state at the same time?
Yes. You can reinstate your Compact license in your original state and also obtain a separate license in a non-Compact state through endorsement. You would then hold two active licenses and be responsible for renewing both. This is uncommon but possible if you work across state lines.
How do I verify that my reinstated license is actually a Compact license?
Your license document or digital verification should state "Multistate License" or "Nursing Compact License." If you are unsure, contact your original state's Board of Nursing and ask them to confirm that your license is a Compact license and provide you with official verification to share with your employer.