Is Oklahoma a Compact Nursing State?
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Jan 13, 2025
The United States is facing a shortage of nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of openings for registered nurses (RNs) is set to increase by 6%, faster than the national average, by 2033. However, RNs aren’t the only health care professionals needed in this nursing shortage. This shortage also applies to leadership roles, like nursing managers, the need for which is expected to increase by 29% by 2033.
One way the United States is combating this shortage is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to practice in more than one state. For this reason, RNs inside and outside Oklahoma may be wondering if Oklahoma is a compact nursing state.
To work in a compact nursing state, nurses first need a nursing license . However, if they want to expand their practice further and prepare for more advanced roles, they also need to pursue higher education, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through an RN to BSN program .
What Are Compact Nursing States?
Compact nursing states are states that have joined a specific compact that allows nurses and nursing professionals to work in other states that have joined the compact. Nurses in these states obtain a compact or multistate license. They do not need to obtain additional licenses in other compact member states, and they can maintain their primary state of residence.
Benefits of Working in a Compact Nursing State
The benefits of working in a compact nursing state include:
- Ability to practice across state lines without needing additional licenses
- Reduced expenses of obtaining and maintaining single-state licenses
- Streamlined license requirements
- Increased access to care for patients
- Increased availability of qualified nurses
What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact?
The Nurse Licensure Compact allows registered nurses to work in other states that are members of the NLC if their primary state of residence is also a member of the NLC. Nurses must also meet the uniform licensure requirements (ULR) of the NLC, which include:
- An unencumbered nursing license in their home state
- A degree from a board-approved education program or an international education program approved by an authorized accrediting body and verified by a review agency
- A passing grade on an English proficiency exam if English is not their native language
- A passing score on the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam
- An active license without active discipline
- Clean state and federal criminal background checks
- No state or federal felony convictions
- No misdemeanor convictions related to nursing
- No enrollment in an alternate program
- A valid U.S. Social Security number
What Is the APRN Compact?
The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Compact is another type of compact that allows APRNs, including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists, to practice in other states that are part of the compact.
Although the APRN Compact was technically adopted in 2020, it has not been implemented, as it needs at least seven states to join the compact.
Is Oklahoma a Compact Nursing State?
Oklahoma is a compact nursing state under the NLC with full implementation. Nurses with a primary residence in Oklahoma can obtain a compact license, and nurses in other states that follow the NLC can work in Oklahoma without getting an additional license. Oklahoma is not a part of the APRN Compact yet.
List of Compact Nursing States
States that have fully implemented the NLC are:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Virgin Islands are awaiting implementation. Pennsylvania and Guam currently have partial implementation. Oklahoma nurses can practice in these locations with a compact license, although nurses in these locations cannot obtain their own compact license yet. Michigan and Washington D.C. are all pending implementation.
Only four states have implemented the APRN Compact: Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah. Because seven states have not yet implemented the APRN Compact, it is not in effect. Due to this lack of implementation, APRNs cannot practice across state lines without obtaining additional licenses.
Preparing for Your Compact License With an RN to BSN Program
When you obtain your multistate license in Oklahoma, you’re able to practice in the majority of the United States. That increased practice ability helps you help others, as the U.S. is facing a challenging nursing shortage. However, registered nurses aren’t the only nursing professionals the U.S. needs. States also need more nurses in leadership roles, like nursing managers .
The University of Tulsa’s online RN to BSN program enables registered nurses to prepare for such positions under the Roy Adaptation Model, which provides a holistic and collaborative lens to health care. Students learn nursing processes to help families and individuals adapt to health changes, study the socioeconomic conditions that can affect health outcomes, and develop leadership and communication skills needed to offer both top-quality care and management.
Nurses with their BSN looking to advance into leadership roles can pursue our online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, and nurses without their BSN can earn both their BSN and MSN in our RN to MSN pathway program in as little as 24 months.
Grow your nursing career with TU.
Recommended Readings
What Is an Accredited Nursing Program?
Clinic vs. Hospital Nursing: Which One Should You Choose?
Nursing Professional Development: Opportunities for BSN Graduates
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet
American Nurses Association, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
National Council of State Board of Nursing, APRN Compact
National Council of State Board of Nursing, Licensure Compacts: For a Stronger Nursing Workforce
Nurse Licensure Compact, How it Works
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical and Health Services Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses
