Washington State Enacts Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

On April 20, 2023, Governor Inslee signed the Nurse Licensure Compact bill that was passed by the legislature, to enable Washington State nurses to work in another compact state and vice versa without the need for additional licensure in the respective jurisdiction.  The Nursing Commission (NCQAC) will begin addressing the logistics of implementing this bill in its next business meeting on May 12, 2023.  This will greatly increase the pool of professionals who may be available to work in Washington, besides providing greater choices and flexibility for Washington nurses: Washington Enacts Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) | NCSBN

Just about every state belongs to the compact, has pending legislation, or is awaiting implementation as Washington is: https://www.nursecompact.com/  California, Connecticut, Michigan, and D.C. are not currently part of the compact nor do they have pending legislation just now. 

What is yet unclear is how discipline will be handled across jurisdictions.  Most jurisdictions have implemented the Uniform Disciplinary Act to have standardized procedures for licensure of all health care professionals, including nurses--see RCW 18.130.010.

Regardless, a nurse must meet requirements for licensure in their state of residency and be eligible for or hold an active and unencumbered license, with no active discipline, among other details.  Also, misdemeanor convictions “related to the practice of nursing” may be a barrier and are “determined on a case-by-case basis.”  This represents one more layer to navigate when the NLC bill is implemented by NCQAC.