Nurse Licensure Compact for Colorado

On July 1, 2006, Senate Bill 06-020 became law, allowing the State Board of Nursing to enter into a multi-state nurse licensure compact. The bill establishes relationships between participating states in the areas of licensure, discipline, and information sharing.

Colorado's Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) became effective on October 1, 2007. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) 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, allowing a nurse to have one license issued by his or her state of residence and practice in other states participating in the NLC.

Twenty-four (24) states belong to the NLC. They are: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The NLC includes RN and LPN licensure only. LPN IV Authority, Advanced Practice, and Prescriptive Authorization must be obtained in each state of practice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
 

• Colorado State Board of Nursing Chapter XX Rules and Regulations for Multistate Nurse Licensure

• NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact): https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm

• NLC Model Rules & Regulations for RN’s and LPN/VN:
  https://www.ncsbn.org/2539.htm#Model_Rules

• Declaration of Primary State of Residence Form – This is not an application for licensure. Complete this form only if you are currently licensed as an RN or LPN in Colorado and you need to update or change your primary state of residence.

• Important Informationregarding your listing of the Advanced Practice Registry, Prescriptive Authority, and LPN-IV Authority.

• Important Information for Employers of Nurses in Colorado

• Contacts for Nurse Licensure Compact States

For NLC related questions or concerns please contact the Nurse License Compact Administrator with the Colorado State Board of Nursing.