Washington State Joins the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

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Former non-NLC member Washington State has recently become the 40th jurisdiction to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as of July 24. Following this occasion, nurses with an active, unencumbered multistate license (MSL) can practice in Washington. 

What is the NLC?

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is a program that enables licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) and registered nurses (RNs) to practice nursing across state lines without the need for extra licenses. The mutual recognition model-based, compact solution was created to support nurses’ mobility while assuring uniform nursing practice standards and patient safety. 

Moreover, before Washington State, the NLC was adopted by 39 states as of December 2021, resulting in a more unified nursing workforce. Washington State’s state-specific laws and considerations were one of the main reasons they had not joined the NLC.

Washington State Joins the NLC Legislation

Encompassing the enactment of the NLC in Washington, the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission will officially change its name to the Washington State Board of Nursing starting July 24 as part of the NLC legislation. On the same date, employers who hire nurses with Multistate Licenses (MSLs) may begin verifying and reporting them to the Nursing Commission and provide documentation that these nurses have completed the Suicide Prevention Training requirement. 

Employers must report MSL nurses to the Nursing Commission within 30 days of hire beginning September 1, 2023. However, until NLC implementation is complete, Washington residents cannot apply for a multistate license. Implementing the NLC in Washington will take 2 Phases: Accepting nurses from other states having an active Multistate License (MSL) and Issuing Washington Multistate Licenses (MSL).

Phase 1 – Accepting Nurses with Active MSLs

Effective July 24, Phase 1 of the implementation includes RNs and LPNs with an active MSL can begin practicing their profession in Washington once they meet the conditions:

1. Verify their MSL information and communicate it to their employer.

2. Complete the Suicide Prevention Training.

3. Complete the MSL demographic survey provided by the Washington State Board of Nursing.

4. Collaborate with the employer to fulfill employment requirements.

On the other hand, employers are legally obligated to report to the Nursing Commission by September 1, 2023, regarding MSL nurses. Nurses can start working on July 24, 2023, before employers can submit their information. Furthermore, within 30 days of hire, employers must report to the Nursing Commission about MSL starting September 1, 2023, and after that.

Before employing or intending to employ nurses with an active MSL, employers must meet the following requirements:

1. Verify and report to the Nursing Commission of the MSL nurses.

2. Certify the nurse’s completion of the Suicide Prevention Training.

3. Verify the nurse’s submitted updated demographic information.

Phase 2 – Issuing of MSLs in Washington State

Currently, the Nursing Commission will study the NLC implementation plan to decide the next steps for pertinent rulemaking. Before determining the future effective date for giving multistate licenses to nurses in Washington State, the Nursing Commission is finishing up ongoing work on the following:

• NCQAC rulemaking to implement the NLC

• NCQAC coordination with IT to develop MSL Application and Complaint Processes

What it Means for Nurses

With Washington joining the NLC, nurses with an active MSL who wish to work there can now do so. Nurses now won’t need to seek extra licenses and state-specific requirements to deliver telehealth nursing services to patients located in Washington. 

Additionally, many different types of nurses, including primary care nurses, case managers, transport nurses, school and hospice nurses, and many others, can work beyond state lines with the help of a multistate license. The multistate license also substantially benefits military spouses who relocate every few years. 

Summing-up

Washington, the 40th jurisdiction joining the NLC, nurses with an active MSL can now work there to provide telehealth nursing services to patients without needing additional licenses or meeting state-specific restrictions. Washington State expects that the enactment of NLC will open doors and bring in the much-needed healthcare workforce for their state.

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