How to Fulfill Compact Nursing License CE Requirements Online

‍

The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) allows licenses for nurses to practice in any of the participating states and U.S. territories simply by acquiring a single multistate license. It’s a huge step forward that strengthens the nation’s overall health infrastructure and makes nursing a much more marketable skill. But if you’re a nurse who’s traveling for work or splits their time between facilities in two different states, then you’re well aware of the licensing complications it can bring.

Despite the uniformity, every state still has its own licensure guidelines, and the biggest differentiator is the number and type of CE credits they require. These can vary widely, and it’s important to understand the compact nursing license CE requirements of every state you practice in as well as any additional institutional or federal obligations.

In short, nurses need to be ready for anything, and an unlimited nursing CE subscription with a high-quality developer ensures that you have complete access to all the coursework you need. Not only can it save you headaches during your renewal process, but you’ll be in a position to build your skills and knowledge base on a timeline that matches your busy schedule.

Here’s everything you need to know about fulfilling your compact nursing license CE requirements online so you never have to worry about where your career takes you.

What Is the Nursing Licensure Compact?

The NLC is an agreement between its participants that a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license acquired in one jurisdiction will be valid in all the others. There are currently 43 participating states and territories, but a few of them have a unique status as of 2024.

• Connecticut. Joined NLC, but not yet implemented
• Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse
• Joined NLC, but not yet implemented
• Partially implemented
• Virgin Islands. Joined NLC, but not yet implemented
• West Virginia. Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse

Additionally, the following jurisdictions have legislation and will likely be joining soon:

• Washington D.C.
• Michigan

How Do I Get a Multistate License?

For most compact states, a multistate license is the default, so you won’t have to worry about whether or not you qualify. All nurses apply through their state’s board of nursing, and the NLC establishes a few uniform licensure requirements that all RNs and LPNs must meet to get a multistate license.

Most of these criteria are standard for any nursing career, like graduating from a board-certified nursing degree program, completing the NCLEX, and passing a background check (including fingerprinting as of 2018). The most complex requirement is meeting your home state’s unique CE requirements, and these are – forgive us – all over the map.

Arizona, for instance, has no CE requirement. Oklahoma-based nurses must complete 24 hours of CE but the requirements are non-specific. Texas nurses must take 20 CE hours every year with a number of mandated course topics. On top of that, the federal government requires 8 hours of DEA MATE training on substance abuse disorders, and this may be in addition to state obligations.

No matter where you practice or travel, you’ll need to thoroughly understand the compact nursing license CE requirements you’ll be subject to for renewals, and they can change significantly from year to year. That’s why an unlimited nursing CE subscription is such a valuable tool for nurses no matter where they practice. You’ll have access to the provider’s complete healthcare course library that covers every state’s requirements, best practices, and the latest research and legislation.

Completing Your CE Requirements Online

Within each state’s course load, there are typically required topics and CE credits every nurse has to obtain. These reflect the specific health challenges their residents face or important national issues every healthcare professional needs to know about. There are often a few electives nurses can select to support their career development or pursue topics of personal interest.

The content broadly falls into the following categories, and the top online CE providers deliver coursework that’s easy to understand, reviewable, and reflects the latest scientific research and standards. Also, the best content is designed with multiple learning styles in mind – including audio-only formats – to ensure it’s engaging and efficient.

• Nursing Skills. This includes coursework on wound care, ACLS, and other hands-on training.
• Interprofessional collaboration, cultural competence, telehealth strategies, and bias training all ensure your practice is as effective and productive as possible.
• Best Practices. Prescription management, controlled substances, mandatory reporting, prevention of medical errors, and patient screening are all critical activities for frontline healthcare workers.

As you can see, the range of topics nurses have to cover can be broad and diverse, and having an unlimited nursing CE subscription with a great provider is an incredibly cost-effective way to meet your professional obligations. On top of that, you’ll have access to coursework that reflects common challenges and best practices that can help you develop your career and better serve your patients no matter where you’re currently practicing.

Make Your Next Renewal Easy

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and that means new standards and best practices will continue to roll out. Nurses should expect to see updated CE requirements, and RNs and LPNs in compact states and territories will need to be aware of the standards that apply to their current situation.

Premiere is committed to helping nurses at all stages of their careers stay on top of their compact nursing license CE requirements no matter where or how they’re using their skills. With our unlimited nursing CE subscription, you’ll have access to our entire library of 100+ courses covering state and federal requirements. That means you’ll always have the content you need at your fingertips whether you’re considering your licensing options or exploring new concepts and best practices.

All of Premiere’s courses are created by industry professionals and make it easy for busy healthcare professionals to meet their obligations and develop their careers on a timeline that matches their busy schedules.