Which States Might Join the Nurse Compact in 2027?

If you have been watching the Nurse Licensure Compact expansion over the past few years, you know that 2024 and 2025 brought major wins. States that once seemed like long shots — looking at you, Washington and Oregon — finally passed multistate license legislation. Now the question on every travel nurse's radar: which states are next?

The answer for 2027 is taking shape right now, in state capitol buildings across the country. Some bills have already been pre-filed. Others are the subject of feasibility studies wrapping up in early 2027. A few states are watching closely but have not committed to a timeline yet.

Here is what we know — and what remains rumor — about pending compact states that could join the NLC in 2027. 🌎

Current State of the Compact: Where We Stand Today

As of early 2027, the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact covers 41 states plus the US Virgin Islands and Guam. That means if you hold a multistate license issued by a compact state, you can practice in any of those jurisdictions without applying for additional state licenses.

The recent additions — Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota — took effect in late 2025 and early 2026, unlocking the entire West Coast for compact travelers. That was a game-changer for agencies and nurses alike, especially given how many high-paying contracts are concentrated in Seattle, Portland, and rural Pacific Northwest facilities.

But nine states still operate outside the compact framework. For travel nurses, that means the old process: apply for endorsement, wait weeks (sometimes months), pay fees that range from 100 to 300 dollars, and track individual renewal cycles. It is doable, but it is friction — and in a tight labor market, friction costs you contract opportunities.

The Nine Holdouts

The states not yet in the compact as of January 2027 are:

• California
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Illinois
• Connecticut
• Hawaii

Some of these states have large travel markets (California, New York, Massachusetts). Others are smaller but strategically located (Rhode Island, Connecticut). A few have unique regulatory cultures that have historically resisted multistate models (looking at California and New York).

Michigan: Bill Filed, Strong Bipartisan Support

Michigan introduced compact legislation — House Bill 4120 — in February 2026, and it has been moving through committee with surprising speed. The bill passed out of the Health Policy Committee in November 2026 with bipartisan support, and floor votes are expected in the first quarter of 2027.

If Michigan passes the bill and the governor signs it, the state would need to complete implementation steps (updating the state nursing board systems, training staff, coordinating with the national compact administrator). Realistically, Michigan could be issuing multistate licenses by late 2027 or early 2028.

Why does Michigan matter? It is a border state with Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin — all compact members. Right now, nurses living in Detroit or Grand Rapids who want to pick up PRN shifts across state lines have to hold multiple licenses. Compact entry would streamline that for local nurses and make Michigan more attractive to travelers.

Massachusetts and Rhode Island: Coordinated New England Push

Massachusetts has been studying compact membership for years, but Senate Bill 890, filed in January 2026, is the most serious attempt yet. The bill is currently in the Joint Committee on Public Health, and advocacy groups — including the Massachusetts Nurses Association and the state hospital association — are actively lobbying.

The timeline here is less certain than Michigan. Massachusetts legislative sessions can be slow, and there is some political resistance from unions concerned about out-of-state labor undercutting local wages. That said, the nursing shortage in Boston-area hospitals has created real urgency, and hospital executives are pushing hard for compact access.

Rhode Island commissioned a feasibility study in mid-2026, and results are due in January 2027. If the study recommends compact membership — which most industry observers expect — Rhode Island could introduce legislation in the spring 2027 session. Given the state's small size and the fact that it is surrounded by compact states (Connecticut is not in the compact, but Massachusetts is considering it), Rhode Island joining would make geographic sense.

What This Means for New England Travelers

If Massachusetts and Rhode Island both join by 2028, the only New England holdout would be Connecticut. That would open up a much smoother path for travel nurses working the Boston-to-Providence corridor, which has consistently high demand for ICU, ED, and perioperative staff.

Nevada: Pre-Filed Legislation, Optimistic Outlook

Nevada is one of the most traveler-friendly states in terms of pay rates and tax treatment, but it has stayed out of the compact due to concerns about regulatory oversight. That may be changing.

Assembly Bill 150, pre-filed in December 2026, would bring Nevada into the NLC. The bill has support from the Nevada Hospital Association and the state Board of Nursing. Hearings are scheduled for February 2027, and if the bill moves quickly, Nevada could be a compact state by the end of 2027.

This would be significant for travelers working the Las Vegas and Reno markets, both of which see high contract volume year-round. It would also help nurses living in border towns like Mesquite (near Utah) or Laughlin (near Arizona), both of which are already compact states.

California and New York: Still Long Shots

Let us be realistic: California and New York remain unlikely to join the compact in 2027. Both states have large, complex nursing boards, strong union presences, and a regulatory culture that favors state-specific oversight.

California in particular has unique continuing education and background check requirements that would require significant alignment work to fit into the compact model. There have been informal discussions among stakeholders, but no formal legislation has been introduced.

New York has similar challenges, plus a licensing fee structure that generates significant revenue for the state. Compact membership would likely reduce that revenue, which makes it a harder political sell.

That said, both states are watching compact expansion closely. If Massachusetts, Michigan, and Nevada all join in 2027-2028, the political pressure on California and New York to follow could increase. But for now, travelers should plan on maintaining separate licenses for those states.

What Pending NLC Expansion Means for Your 2027 Contracts

If you are planning your 2027 travel calendar right now, here is how to think about these pending compact states:

• Michigan: Strong chance of compact entry by Q4 2027. If you are considering Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Ann Arbor contracts in late 2027 or early 2028, it may be worth waiting a few months to see if you can use your multistate license instead of applying for Michigan endorsement.
• Nevada: Moderate-to-strong chance of entry by late 2027. Las Vegas and Reno contracts are already plentiful, and compact status would make them even more accessible.
• Massachusetts: Possible but not guaranteed for 2027. More likely 2028. If you are eyeing Boston-area assignments, apply for your Massachusetts license now — do not wait on compact rumors.
• Rhode Island: Feasibility study results in January 2027 will tell the story. If positive, legislation could move quickly given the state's size.
• California and New York: Do not wait. If you want to work in these states, start the endorsement process now.

How to Stay Ahead of Compact Changes

Compact legislation moves faster than most people expect once it gains momentum. Washington went from bill introduction to live multistate licenses in under 18 months. Oregon was similarly fast.

Here is how to stay informed without spending hours tracking state legislatures:

• Bookmark the Nurse Licensure Compact website (ncsbn.org/nlc) and check their news section monthly.
• Follow your state nursing board on social media or sign up for email updates.
• Talk to your recruiter. Agencies like Intuites monitor compact legislation closely because it directly affects contract placement strategies.
• Join travel nursing Facebook groups or Reddit communities where nurses share real-time updates on state licensing changes.

And remember: even if a state passes compact legislation in 2027, there is usually a 60-to-180-day implementation period before multistate licenses are actually issued. Factor that lag time into your contract planning.

The Intuites Recruiting Team tracks multistate license changes in real time and can help you navigate which states make sense for your 2027 calendar — whether you are working with a compact license or managing multiple state endorsements. If you have questions about upcoming assignments or want to talk through your licensing strategy, reach out anytime at contact@intuites.healthcare or visit intuites.healthcare. We are here to help you move smarter, not harder. 🤍

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