Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

The NLC allows nurses to practice in multiple states with a single multistate license.

Illinois has made progress toward becoming a compact state for nursing but has not yet enacted the necessary legislation to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Efforts and discussions have been ongoing within the state's legislative bodies to adopt the NLC, which would allow nurses licensed in Illinois to practice in other compact states without obtaining additional licenses and vice versa. However, until the Illinois General Assembly passes a bill and it is signed into law, Illinois remains a non-compact state for nursing licensure. It successfully passes the Illinois Senate every year only to die in the Illinois House of Representatives time after time. 

There are 42 states that have adopted this Compact State Licensure, creating a mobile healthcare population who can practice where the need is without delay or the necessity of executive orders to approve bringing in healthcare resources during emergencies.  Illinois is surrounded by Compact states (WI, ON, IA, MO, KY, TN). 

In addition to providing healthcare response during emergencies, the NLC supports non-emergency healthcare as well as the states’ interests.  Telephonic RN jobs are already being moved to Compact states, as the administrative burden of managing 50 licenses versus one license that covers the majority of states (and then adding in the few outliers) is substantially easier and more cost effective for employers and those nurses employed by them.  These jobs are at risk of leaving Illinois (some have already) which will result in decreased resources for the state in tax revenue (both corporate and personal) and decreased opportunities for nurses who may no longer be able to work at the bedside to continue their work of caring for at risk populations through telephonic interventions (the nurse needs to be physically located in the state the patient is also physically in per the Nurse Practice Act).  

NLC passage in Illinois will:

Promote patient care coordination across state lines for all patients receiving care in our top performing health care systems
Allow nurses to immediately mobilize across state lines to provide care during disasters or public health care emergencies such as COVID 19
Incentivize national health care systems to do business in Illinois as current state licensing barriers will be removed which will stimulate nursing job growth
Enhance Nurses’ professional skills and development as they participate in cutting edge telehealth field that emphasizes job flexibility, high tech and digital communications
NLC passage in Illinois will produce:

Patient Benefits:

Access to modern technology; Enhanced disaster assistance; Choice in Healthcare setting.
Access to robust healthcare technology including tele and video calling, texting and emailing.
This will also enhance engagement of underserved populations who have mental and physical challenges and are at a higher risk for missing in person medical appointments.
Ensures Patient safety. Nurses practicing under the NLC must meet uniform licensure requirements and follow Illinois state practice laws when practicing nursing in the state.
Allows for nurses to quickly mobilize during disasters and public health emergencies. 

Nursing Benefits:

Equal rights in job location choices
Protection of highly skilled and flexible telehealth jobs;
Increases employer demand for Illinois nurses since they will possess multi-state license and be able to practice in 42 states instead of one, singular state.
Enhances nurses’ quality of life issues as workforce mobility greatly contributes to job flexibility, satisfaction and work / life balance.
Supports flexibility for nurses who can’t meet physical demands of in-person nursing through expanding access to employment in telehealth field
Allows Illinois Nurses to practice tele-education across state borders such as teaching patients how to manage chronic conditions and care coordination
Allows Illinois nurses to communicate with out of state patients receiving care at Illinois hospitals. Illinois nurses presently can’t have clinical conversations with out of state patients unless patient is physically in Illinois.
Conclusion

Illinois must remain competitive in business, support a mobile and modern workforce, and keep striving to be the best in delivering modern health care services. Lawmakers must consider safe, innovative, and smart solutions in working towards attaining our state and national healthcare goals. Passing NLC legislation is a key step forward in meeting this goal. 

It is time to join the Compact! 

Please sign NOW to request this change and join the other 42 States for Compact Nursing License!

Information included in this petition also from outside sources, including: CMS Chicago, petition 2020-2021, Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health, and NCSBN.org

By signing this petition I am approving and requesting the below message sent to our State leaders and the Illinois House of Representatives.

Attention Governor, Senator, and State Representatives, 

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to support the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The goal of the NLC is to increase patient access to quality care by allowing registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/ vocational nurses (LPN/ VNs) the ability to practice in any compact state without obtaining and maintaining multiple licenses.

Operational for over 20 years, the NLC has many benefits for our state. The NLC is a benefit to nurses, providing flexible licensure, which enables nurses to explore careers providing care via telehealth and nurse educators to provide instruction with ease. 

The NLC is a benefit to patients, increasing access to nursing services across the country quickly and efficiently, which is essential for the health of many rural and underserved communities. 

The NLC is a benefit to military families. Military spouses are burdened with applying for a new nursing license each time the family must relocate. Under the NLC, the spouse's employment can continue seamlessly. 

Finally, the NLC is a benefit in times of crisis. Under the NLC, a nurse is able to easily cross state lines to help those in need. Modern healthcare requires a mobile workforce, whether responding to healthcare provider shortages across the country or assisting during times of disaster. 

Thank you for considering this very important issue to nurses and patients in your district and state. Please act and pass this bill immediately. 

See Illinois House Bill 1706