Although Governor Healey signed the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) into law on November 20, 2024, the Compact is not yet operational in Massachusetts. The Board of Registration in Nursing must first complete several required federal and state steps, including securing FBI approval for national background checks—a key factor extending the implementation timeline.

According to the Department of Public Health, full implementation remains 8–12 months away. The Board must amend regulations, update IT systems, and revise application procedures to support the new multi-state license category before nurses can begin practicing across state lines under the Compact.

Until these steps are complete, nurses from other Compact states may not practice in Massachusetts, and Massachusetts nurses must continue to maintain individual state licenses.

For more details, visit the Board of Registration in Nursing website →