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The Nurse Licensure Compact: Key Compliance Considerations for Hospital Counsel

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license (MSL) to practice across all compact member states. While not a national license, the MSL grants the license holder the privilege to practice in each participating member state.

As the number of NLC member states continues to grow, it is increasingly important for nurse employers to understand the legal obligations associated with MSLs. The NLC is a statutory agreement among member states that allows a nurse to hold one MSL issued by their primary state of residence (PSOR) and to practice in other compact states, physically or via telehealth, subject to each state’s laws.

A nurse’s PSOR determines which state board of nursing is authorized to issue the MSL, similar to how a state issues a driver’s license or voter registration. If a nurse relocates, he or she must obtain a new MSL in the new state of residence.

As of Jan. 2, 2024, nurses must apply for a new multistate license within 60 days of relocating to another compact member state. Failure to do so renders the existing license invalid, even if it has not yet expired. In effect, a nurse who moves between compact states loses the privilege to practice in member states if they do not apply for a new multistate license within the 60-day window.

This requirement introduces compliance risks for hospitals, staffing agencies, and health systems that rely on remote, hybrid, or travel nurse workforces. The MSL is valid only for residents of the issuing state, and continued practice during relocation transition is permitted only if the nurse applies for licensure in the new state in a timely manner.

To mitigate these risks, nurse employers should implement operational safeguards such as verifying licensure through Nursys. Nursys® QuickConfirm is a free tool for validating license status for both new hires and current staff. Employers should also proactively assess whether a nurse’s PSOR is changing as part of the credentialing or onboarding process. It is essential to determine whether a nurse is relocating or temporarily working in Louisiana, as this distinction affects whether a Louisiana license is required or whether the nurse may practice here with an out-of-state MSL.

Another valuable compliance tool is Nursys e-Notify, which provides nurse employers with real-time alerts on license expirations, disciplinary actions, and status changes.

While MSLs offer significant workforce flexibility, they also introduce regulatory obligations that nurse employers must monitor. Hospital legal and compliance departments should update policies and onboarding procedures to reflect the 60-day rule, with particular attention to travel, hybrid, telehealth, and multistate nursing staff. Additionally, human resources, nursing leadership, and credentialing departments should be trained to identify red flags that trigger nurse licensure obligations to prevent inadvertent unlicensed practice.

The Nurse Licensure Compact: Key Compliance Considerations for Hospital Counsel

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license (MSL) to practice across all compact member states. While not a national license, the MSL grants the license holder the privilege to practice in each participating member state.

As the number of NLC member states continues to grow, it is increasingly important for nurse employers to understand the legal obligations associated with MSLs. The NLC is a statutory agreement among member states that allows a nurse to hold one MSL issued by their primary state of residence (PSOR) and to practice in other compact states, physically or via telehealth, subject to each state’s laws.

A nurse’s PSOR determines which state board of nursing is authorized to issue the MSL, similar to how a state issues a driver’s license or voter registration. If a nurse relocates, he or she must obtain a new MSL in the new state of residence.

As of Jan. 2, 2024, nurses must apply for a new multistate license within 60 days of relocating to another compact member state. Failure to do so renders the existing license invalid, even if it has not yet expired. In effect, a nurse who moves between compact states loses the privilege to practice in member states if they do not apply for a new multistate license within the 60-day window.

This requirement introduces compliance risks for hospitals, staffing agencies, and health systems that rely on remote, hybrid, or travel nurse workforces. The MSL is valid only for residents of the issuing state, and continued practice during relocation transition is permitted only if the nurse applies for licensure in the new state in a timely manner.

To mitigate these risks, nurse employers should implement operational safeguards such as verifying licensure through Nursys. Nursys® QuickConfirm is a free tool for validating license status for both new hires and current staff. Employers should also proactively assess whether a nurse’s PSOR is changing as part of the credentialing or onboarding process. It is essential to determine whether a nurse is relocating or temporarily working in Louisiana, as this distinction affects whether a Louisiana license is required or whether the nurse may practice here with an out-of-state MSL.

Another valuable compliance tool is Nursys e-Notify, which provides nurse employers with real-time alerts on license expirations, disciplinary actions, and status changes.

While MSLs offer significant workforce flexibility, they also introduce regulatory obligations that nurse employers must monitor. Hospital legal and compliance departments should update policies and onboarding procedures to reflect the 60-day rule, with particular attention to travel, hybrid, telehealth, and multistate nursing staff. Additionally, human resources, nursing leadership, and credentialing departments should be trained to identify red flags that trigger nurse licensure obligations to prevent inadvertent unlicensed practice.

The Nurse Licensure Compact: Key Compliance Considerations for Hospital Counsel

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license (MSL) to practice across all compact member states. While not a national license, the MSL grants the license holder the privilege to practice in each participating member state.

As the number of NLC member states continues to grow, it is increasingly important for nurse employers to understand the legal obligations associated with MSLs. The NLC is a statutory agreement among member states that allows a nurse to hold one MSL issued by their primary state of residence (PSOR) and to practice in other compact states, physically or via telehealth, subject to each state’s laws.

A nurse’s PSOR determines which state board of nursing is authorized to issue the MSL, similar to how a state issues a driver’s license or voter registration. If a nurse relocates, he or she must obtain a new MSL in the new state of residence.

As of Jan. 2, 2024, nurses must apply for a new multistate license within 60 days of relocating to another compact member state. Failure to do so renders the existing license invalid, even if it has not yet expired. In effect, a nurse who moves between compact states loses the privilege to practice in member states if they do not apply for a new multistate license within the 60-day window.

This requirement introduces compliance risks for hospitals, staffing agencies, and health systems that rely on remote, hybrid, or travel nurse workforces. The MSL is valid only for residents of the issuing state, and continued practice during relocation transition is permitted only if the nurse applies for licensure in the new state in a timely manner.

To mitigate these risks, nurse employers should implement operational safeguards such as verifying licensure through Nursys. Nursys® QuickConfirm is a free tool for validating license status for both new hires and current staff. Employers should also proactively assess whether a nurse’s PSOR is changing as part of the credentialing or onboarding process. It is essential to determine whether a nurse is relocating or temporarily working in Louisiana, as this distinction affects whether a Louisiana license is required or whether the nurse may practice here with an out-of-state MSL.

Another valuable compliance tool is Nursys e-Notify, which provides nurse employers with real-time alerts on license expirations, disciplinary actions, and status changes.

While MSLs offer significant workforce flexibility, they also introduce regulatory obligations that nurse employers must monitor. Hospital legal and compliance departments should update policies and onboarding procedures to reflect the 60-day rule, with particular attention to travel, hybrid, telehealth, and multistate nursing staff. Additionally, human resources, nursing leadership, and credentialing departments should be trained to identify red flags that trigger nurse licensure obligations to prevent inadvertent unlicensed practice.

The Nurse Licensure Compact: Key Compliance Considerations for Hospital Counsel

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license (MSL) to practice across all compact member states. While not a national license, the MSL grants the license holder the privilege to practice in each participating member state.

As the number of NLC member states continues to grow, it is increasingly important for nurse employers to understand the legal obligations associated with MSLs. The NLC is a statutory agreement among member states that allows a nurse to hold one MSL issued by their primary state of residence (PSOR) and to practice in other compact states, physically or via telehealth, subject to each state’s laws.

A nurse’s PSOR determines which state board of nursing is authorized to issue the MSL, similar to how a state issues a driver’s license or voter registration. If a nurse relocates, he or she must obtain a new MSL in the new state of residence.

As of Jan. 2, 2024, nurses must apply for a new multistate license within 60 days of relocating to another compact member state. Failure to do so renders the existing license invalid, even if it has not yet expired. In effect, a nurse who moves between compact states loses the privilege to practice in member states if they do not apply for a new multistate license within the 60-day window.

This requirement introduces compliance risks for hospitals, staffing agencies, and health systems that rely on remote, hybrid, or travel nurse workforces. The MSL is valid only for residents of the issuing state, and continued practice during relocation transition is permitted only if the nurse applies for licensure in the new state in a timely manner.

To mitigate these risks, nurse employers should implement operational safeguards such as verifying licensure through Nursys. Nursys® QuickConfirm is a free tool for validating license status for both new hires and current staff. Employers should also proactively assess whether a nurse’s PSOR is changing as part of the credentialing or onboarding process. It is essential to determine whether a nurse is relocating or temporarily working in Louisiana, as this distinction affects whether a Louisiana license is required or whether the nurse may practice here with an out-of-state MSL.

Another valuable compliance tool is Nursys e-Notify, which provides nurse employers with real-time alerts on license expirations, disciplinary actions, and status changes.

While MSLs offer significant workforce flexibility, they also introduce regulatory obligations that nurse employers must monitor. Hospital legal and compliance departments should update policies and onboarding procedures to reflect the 60-day rule, with particular attention to travel, hybrid, telehealth, and multistate nursing staff. Additionally, human resources, nursing leadership, and credentialing departments should be trained to identify red flags that trigger nurse licensure obligations to prevent inadvertent unlicensed practice.

The Nurse Licensure Compact: Key Compliance Considerations for Hospital Counsel

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license (MSL) to practice across all compact member states. While not a national license, the MSL grants the license holder the privilege to practice in each participating member state.

As the number of NLC member states continues to grow, it is increasingly important for nurse employers to understand the legal obligations associated with MSLs. The NLC is a statutory agreement among member states that allows a nurse to hold one MSL issued by their primary state of residence (PSOR) and to practice in other compact states, physically or via telehealth, subject to each state’s laws.

A nurse’s PSOR determines which state board of nursing is authorized to issue the MSL, similar to how a state issues a driver’s license or voter registration. If a nurse relocates, he or she must obtain a new MSL in the new state of residence.

As of Jan. 2, 2024, nurses must apply for a new multistate license within 60 days of relocating to another compact member state. Failure to do so renders the existing license invalid, even if it has not yet expired. In effect, a nurse who moves between compact states loses the privilege to practice in member states if they do not apply for a new multistate license within the 60-day window.

This requirement introduces compliance risks for hospitals, staffing agencies, and health systems that rely on remote, hybrid, or travel nurse workforces. The MSL is valid only for residents of the issuing state, and continued practice during relocation transition is permitted only if the nurse applies for licensure in the new state in a timely manner.

To mitigate these risks, nurse employers should implement operational safeguards such as verifying licensure through Nursys. Nursys® QuickConfirm is a free tool for validating license status for both new hires and current staff. Employers should also proactively assess whether a nurse’s PSOR is changing as part of the credentialing or onboarding process. It is essential to determine whether a nurse is relocating or temporarily working in Louisiana, as this distinction affects whether a Louisiana license is required or whether the nurse may practice here with an out-of-state MSL.

Another valuable compliance tool is Nursys e-Notify, which provides nurse employers with real-time alerts on license expirations, disciplinary actions, and status changes.

While MSLs offer significant workforce flexibility, they also introduce regulatory obligations that nurse employers must monitor. Hospital legal and compliance departments should update policies and onboarding procedures to reflect the 60-day rule, with particular attention to travel, hybrid, telehealth, and multistate nursing staff. Additionally, human resources, nursing leadership, and credentialing departments should be trained to identify red flags that trigger nurse licensure obligations to prevent inadvertent unlicensed practice.

The Nurse Licensure Compact: Key Compliance Considerations for Hospital Counsel

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license (MSL) to practice across all compact member states. While not a national license, the MSL grants the license holder the privilege to practice in each participating member state.

As the number of NLC member states continues to grow, it is increasingly important for nurse employers to understand the legal obligations associated with MSLs. The NLC is a statutory agreement among member states that allows a nurse to hold one MSL issued by their primary state of residence (PSOR) and to practice in other compact states, physically or via telehealth, subject to each state’s laws.

A nurse’s PSOR determines which state board of nursing is authorized to issue the MSL, similar to how a state issues a driver’s license or voter registration. If a nurse relocates, he or she must obtain a new MSL in the new state of residence.

As of Jan. 2, 2024, nurses must apply for a new multistate license within 60 days of relocating to another compact member state. Failure to do so renders the existing license invalid, even if it has not yet expired. In effect, a nurse who moves between compact states loses the privilege to practice in member states if they do not apply for a new multistate license within the 60-day window.

This requirement introduces compliance risks for hospitals, staffing agencies, and health systems that rely on remote, hybrid, or travel nurse workforces. The MSL is valid only for residents of the issuing state, and continued practice during relocation transition is permitted only if the nurse applies for licensure in the new state in a timely manner.

To mitigate these risks, nurse employers should implement operational safeguards such as verifying licensure through Nursys. Nursys® QuickConfirm is a free tool for validating license status for both new hires and current staff. Employers should also proactively assess whether a nurse’s PSOR is changing as part of the credentialing or onboarding process. It is essential to determine whether a nurse is relocating or temporarily working in Louisiana, as this distinction affects whether a Louisiana license is required or whether the nurse may practice here with an out-of-state MSL.

Another valuable compliance tool is Nursys e-Notify, which provides nurse employers with real-time alerts on license expirations, disciplinary actions, and status changes.

While MSLs offer significant workforce flexibility, they also introduce regulatory obligations that nurse employers must monitor. Hospital legal and compliance departments should update policies and onboarding procedures to reflect the 60-day rule, with particular attention to travel, hybrid, telehealth, and multistate nursing staff. Additionally, human resources, nursing leadership, and credentialing departments should be trained to identify red flags that trigger nurse licensure obligations to prevent inadvertent unlicensed practice.