Travel Nurse Update: Pennsylvania Is Now a Compact State

📢 Big News: Pennsylvania Officially Joins the Nursing Licensure Compact

As of July 7, 2025, Pennsylvania has officially enacted the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), a long-awaited development for both local and travel nurses alike. This means registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs) holding a compact license will now be able to practice in Pennsylvania without needing to obtain additional licensure, and vice versa for eligible PA-based nurses.

🩺 What is the Nursing Licensure Compact?

The NLC is an agreement among U.S. states that allows nurses to hold one multistate license, with the ability to practice in all participating compact states. It’s especially impactful for travel nurses, telehealth providers, military spouses, and nurses living near state borders, offering increased mobility and reducing administrative delays and costs tied to multiple licenses.

Nurses must meet uniform licensing requirements, such as passing the NCLEX, undergoing federal and state background checks, and having no active disciplinary actions.

🌎 Current Nursing Compact States (as of July 7, 2025):

With Pennsylvania’s addition, the NLC now includes 42 states. The following U.S. states are members of the Nursing Licensure Compact:

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. Nevada

21. New Hampshire

22. New Jersey

23. New Mexico

24. North Carolina

25. North Dakota

26. Ohio

27. Oklahoma

28. Pennsylvania ✅ (Effective July 7, 2025 🎉)

29. South Carolina

30. South Dakota

31. Tennessee

32. Texas

33. Utah

34. Vermont

35. Virginia

36. Washington

37. West Virginia

38. Wisconsin

39. Wyoming

40. Rhode Island

41. Michigan

42. Illinois

(Note: Some states are pending implementation of NLC legislation or partial participation. We recommend you always check the official NLC map for the most updated status.)

Why this matters for travel nurses:
With Pennsylvania now on board, nurses gain greater access to job opportunities in a high-demand state while reducing paperwork. For agencies like Ardor Health, this means quicker placement timelines, expanded reach for career opportunities, and enhanced flexibility for our nursing community.

Stay tuned as more states continue to consider joining the compact, further streamlining cross-state practice for nurses nationwide.

Got questions about multistate licenses, compact states, or launching your travel nursing journey?
We’re here to help. Email us at info@ardorhealth.com or connect with a recruiter today to get started. ✈️

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