Full Implementation of Nurse Licensure Compact in Pennsylvania July 7, 2025

Four years and six days after Act 68 of 2021 Nurse Licensure Compact was signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 1, 2021, approximately 300,000 Pennsylvania registered nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) will be eligible to obtain a multistate nursing license!

At 11:20 PM on June 22, 2025, Pennsylvania’s State Board of Nursing sent and email to all licensed PA nurses with this announcement:

“As part of its continuing commitment to expand job opportunities for nurses in Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration is pleased to inform you that nurses will be able to apply for a multistate professional license under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) starting on July 7, 2025.  

On that date, any RN or LPN who meets all relevant criteria to apply for a multistate license to practice in other NLC member states will be able to do so, if they would like.”

As the PA State Board of Nursing nears full implementation of Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), they have updated their webpage with key detailed information. Click on this link for all FAQ’s!

Here are a few excerpts from the website:

• When full implementation of NLC starts, all existing PA RN and LPN nursing licenses will be designated as “single state” license.
• RN’s and LPN’s can apply for “multistate license” (MSL), and do not have to resubmit education materials, but will need to obtain FBI fingerprinting. Effective January 13, 2025, under Act 79 of 2024, all applicants for a healthcare practitioner license in Pennsylvania must submit a full set of fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) for an FBI criminal background check. PSP has contracted with IDEMIA for digital fingerprinting. You can register with IDEMIA and be fingerprinted at any IdentGo site.
• The fee to convert an existing Pennsylvania license to a multistate license is $105.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) hosts free webinars each month on different parts of NLC. 

• The July 22, 2025 program is “Understanding Primary State of Residence”. To register, Click Here
• The following information is from the NCSBN webinar from June 9, 2025 regarding nurses who have a multistate license (MSL) practicing in one of the 43 participating NLC states:
  • “Article III (e). Be familiar with and comply with the laws of the state where the patient is located. Nurse is subject title the jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts and the laws of the state.” (Key Provisions of the Enhanced NLC, NCSBN)”

• When a nurse is practicing under a multistate license, in person or via telehealth, the nurse must be aware of the state where the patient is located and ask before providing care, “What state are you located in at this time?” This is not necessarily the patient’s state of residence. Nurses with MSL must ensure they are   licensed in the State of Practice. 
•  The primary areas of consideration regarding holding a license when practicing with a patient in another state are:
• Malpractice/personal liability
• Running afoul of state’s regulations when practicing telephonically can be unlicensed practice. (Exemptions, e.g. may be when passing through a state transporting a patient, camp nurse with students)
• Reimbursement – any payor/insurance paying based on understanding the nurse is licensed. 
• Whistleblowers – people who learn about people practicing without licenses will contact the state board of nursing. (NCSBN, Jun 2025) (see all recorded NCSBN webinars here )

The Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (PONL) and the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) supported PA State Senator Lisa Boscola and Representative Frank Burns with both pieces of legislation Act 68 and Act 79 that resulted in full implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact. 

One of Governor Shapiro’s first actions in January 2023 was to address the healthcare workforce shortage and signed Executive Order 2023-07, Building Efficiency in the Commonwealth’s Permitting and Licensing Processes

All their effort, along with the efforts of the Department of State, the State Board of Nursing, the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police, have finally culminated in full implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact, effective date July 7, 2025. 

Hooray!

Other Resources:

• Shapiro Expands Job Opportunities for Doctors, Nurses, Physical Therapists | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania  (Press Release 06/23/2025) https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/shapiro-expands-job-opportunities-for-doctors–nurses–physical-.html
• Pennsylvania to Fully Implement Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) July 7, 2025 | NCSBN (Press Release 06/24/2025). https://www.ncsbn.org/news/pennsylvania-to-fully-implement-nlc-july-7-2025