Connecticut NLC 2025: Effective Date and Next Steps
-
- •August 19, 2025
Connecticut is joining the NLC. Here is what you can do now
Big news for fall travel plans in New England. Connecticut will enter the Nurse Licensure Compact on October 1, 2025, with the current law running through January 1, 2028. That means multistate licensure is coming to the Constitution State, opening the door for easier cross-border practice and telehealth once the state completes its setup. Connecticut General Assembly
Important timing note. Compact privileges do not start on October 1 by default. The state must finish an internal implementation process first, and as of today, no activation date is posted. Until the Board announces the go-live date, plan to use a standard Connecticut license for any assignments in the state.
đź“Ť Traveler Tip for Fall 2025
If you have a Connecticut assignment starting this fall, plan on applying for or renewing a standard CT single-state license. Compact privileges will only begin once the state announces its NLC activation date. Keep an eye on updates so you can switch to multistate status as soon as it’s live.
Fast facts at a glance
- Effective date: October 1, 2025. Sunset: January 1, 2028. Connecticut General Assembly
- Who is covered: RNs and LPN/VNs. APRNs are not part of the NLC. ncsbn.zendesk.com
- Scope: In-person care and telehealth in other compact states, subject to each state’s practice laws.
- Background checks: Applicants for a Connecticut multistate license must complete state and national fingerprint-based criminal history checks.
- Status today: Implementation date not set. Compact practice in CT begins only after activation is announced. ncsbn.zendesk.com
What you can do now to be ready
If you live in Connecticut and want a multistate license
- Confirm your primary state of residence (PSOR). PSOR is your legal residency, not property ownership. Typical proofs include a driver’s license, voter registration, federal tax return, military Form 2058, or W-2.
- Get documents for fingerprints. Expect both state and federal fingerprint checks when CT opens multistate applications. Line up identity docs and set a plan for fingerprinting.
- Stay current on your CT single-state license. You will need it for any work in Connecticut until the Board announces activation.
If you live in another compact state and hold a multistate license
- You cannot use compact privileges in Connecticut yet. Keep an eye out for the activation announcement. Until then, obtain or maintain CT single-state licensure for assignments. ncsbn.zendesk.com
- Planning a relocation to CT later this year? Your multistate license follows NLC rules about changing PSOR. When you change PSOR to another compact state, you apply for a new multistate license in the new home state within the NLC timeframe.
How the change will work once activated
After the Board completes implementation and announces activation:
- CT residents who meet Uniform Licensure Requirements will be able to apply for a multistate license issued by Connecticut.
- Nurses from other compact states with an active multistate license will be able to practice in Connecticut without a separate CT license, while following Connecticut’s practice laws and standards.
Quick FAQs
Q. When can I start using a multistate license in Connecticut?
A. On the state’s activation date, not on October 1, automatically. The Board has not set that date yet.
Q. Does the NLC include APRNs?
A. No. The NLC covers RNs and LPN/VNs only. APRNs need individual state APRN licensure.
Q. Will I need to get fingerprinted?
A. Yes, if you apply for a Connecticut multistate license during the compact period, you must complete state and national fingerprint-based checks.
Q. How long does Connecticut’s participation last?
A. The current law adopts the compact from October 1, 2025, through January 1, 2028. The legislature would need to extend or renew after that period.