The NLC is an agreement amongst different US states to honor a nurse’s license from another state. Also commonly referred to as “reciprocity”, participating states have entered into a grand agreement that says that they will allow a nurse to have the benefits of licensure from state to state, as long as each state is an active participant in the NLC. So if I am a licensed Registered Nurse in California I can apply for a multistate license that will afford me the benefits of licensure in any compact state. Every state except for Nevada and Oregon have either opted-in to the NLC or have pending legislation in that direction. The NLC also applies to practical or vocational nurses (LVN/LPN). You should always check with each state’s Board of Nursing for specific requirements.