The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) provides a multistate license that allows nurses to practice and communicate with patients across state lines, both in person and via telenursing.
In today’s healthcare environment, patients and providers move across state lines more than ever before. Nurses deliver care both in person and virtually. Michigan’s outdated single-state licensure model creates unnecessary barriers for nurses, educators, military families, and employers and ultimately delays patient care. The NLC is a proven, 21st-century solution.
To date, 43 states have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), reflecting broad national momentum. The NLC is recognized as a safe and effective model for nurse licensure and is widely endorsed by healthcare employers, national nursing organizations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Telemedicine Association, and the National Military Family Association.
On June 11, 2025, the Michigan House of Representatives voted on HB 4246, the Nurse Licensure Compact legislation. The bill passed the House floor along a Republican partisan line with a total of 57 votes. A minimum of 56 votes was required to pass—so we’ve cleared that threshold, and now it’s on to the Senate!
Why Michigan Must Join the NLC:
- Expands Access to Care and Emergency Response: Nurses can respond quickly and legally across state lines—vital for underserved communities and emergency response.
- Supports Telehealth: Nurses can provide virtual care to out-of-state patients without navigating burdensome licensure hurdles.
- Protects Military Families: Allows military spouse nurses to maintain employment without restarting licensure with every move.
- Improves Online Education: Reduces the need for multiple licenses for nurse educators teaching across the U.S.
- Reduces Costs: Saves nurses and employers from duplicate licensing fees and unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Maintains Patient Safety: All NLC nurses must meet strict uniform licensure requirements, including federal criminal background checks to determine eligibility for a licensure.
- Positions Michigan to be more competitive in recruiting and retaining top nursing talent by eliminating unnecessary licensing barriers.
