Connecticut is now a compact license state!
As of October 1, 2025, Connecticut has officially implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), transforming opportunities for travel nurses and nursing professionals throughout the region. Whether you’re a Connecticut nurse looking to explore travel nursing or a travel nurse seeking Connecticut assignments, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Connecticut’s compact license status.
What is a Compact License? Understanding Connecticut’s NLC Status
A compact license, officially known as a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to practice in multiple states with a single nursing license. Connecticut became the 42nd jurisdiction to enact the NLC when Governor Ned Lamont signed the legislation into law on May 30, 2024.
For travel nurses, Connecticut’s compact license status means significant new opportunities. The compact allows nurses to have one multistate license with the ability to practice in all compact states, eliminating the need for separate state licenses and reducing administrative barriers that previously delayed travel nurse assignments.
Connecticut Travel Nurse Opportunities: How the Compact License Changes Everything
Before October 1, 2025: Travel nurses needed to apply for a separate Connecticut nursing license, which could take weeks or months to process, delaying assignment start dates and creating additional costs.
After October 1, 2025: Travel nurses holding an active compact license from another NLC state can now practice in Connecticut immediately, making Connecticut travel nurse positions more accessible than ever before.
Connecticut’s adoption of the compact license directly addresses healthcare staffing challenges. Senator Saud Anwar noted that recent years have exposed drastic staffing crises threatening quality of care, and the compact makes it easier for nurses to come to Connecticut and find work.
How to Get a Connecticut Compact License: Step-by-Step Guide
For Connecticut Residents Seeking a Compact License
Connecticut nurses can now apply for a multistate compact license through the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Here’s what you need:
Primary State of Residence (PSOR) Documentation: Connecticut must be your legal primary state of residence. Acceptable documents include a Connecticut driver’s license with home address, state-issued photo ID, voter registration card with home address, federal income tax return listing Connecticut as primary residence, military Form 2058, or W2 from the U.S. Government indicating residence.
Education Requirements:
- Graduation from a Board of Nursing approved RN/LPN program in the United States
- For international education, evaluation by CGFNS (Commission for Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools)
- English proficiency verification if education wasn’t completed in English
Background Check Requirements: All applicants for a Connecticut compact license must complete state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks—a standard requirement for compact licenses nationwide.
Clean Disciplinary Record: Applicants cannot be enrolled in an alternative to discipline program in any state and must not have been found guilty of any felony or misdemeanor offense related to nursing practice.
For Travel Nurses: Using Your Compact License in Connecticut
If you already hold an active compact license from another NLC state, you can begin accepting Connecticut travel nurse assignments immediately! Your existing multistate compact license gives you practice privileges in Connecticut without additional applications or fees.
Important considerations for travel nurses in Connecticut:
- Your compact license must be active and unencumbered
- You must follow Connecticut’s nursing practice laws and scope of practice
- Your primary state of residence (PSOR) determines which state issues your compact license
- Connecticut recognizes compact licenses for both in-person care and telehealth services
Connecticut Compact License States: Where Can You Practice?
Connecticut’s participation in the NLC means Connecticut nurses and travel nurses can now practice across 43 jurisdictions with a single compact license. As of 2025, compact states include all states except Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, and Oregon.
For Connecticut travel nurses, this opens up travel nursing opportunities across the majority of the United States. Popular travel nurse destinations like Florida, Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, and Tennessee are all compact license states, making them easily accessible with your Connecticut compact license.
Travel Nurse Salary and Benefits: Connecticut vs. Other Compact States
Connecticut’s compact license status creates new flexibility for nurses to compare opportunities across states. Travel nurses can now easily move between Connecticut and other compact license states to pursue the best compensation packages, specialties, and lifestyle preferences.
Connecticut offers competitive travel nurse salaries, particularly in specialties experiencing high demand such as ICU, emergency department, and operating room nursing. With a compact license, travel nurses can seamlessly transition between Connecticut assignments and positions in other compact states without licensing delays.
Connecticut Travel Nursing Jobs: Finding Opportunities with Cynet Health
Cynet Health specializes in connecting travel nurses with premium Connecticut travel nurse positions. Our team understands the nuances of compact license privileges and can help you navigate your first Connecticut assignment or plan your next travel nursing adventure.
Types of Connecticut travel nurse positions available:
- Critical care and ICU travel nursing
- Emergency department travel nurses
- Medical-surgical travel nurse assignments
- Operating room and perioperative travel nurses
- Labor and delivery travel nursing
- Pediatric travel nurse positions
- Telemetry and cardiac care travel nurses
All these positions are now more accessible to travel nurses thanks to Connecticut’s compact license implementation.
Military Spouses and Connecticut Compact License Benefits
Military spouses who experience moves every few years benefit greatly from the multistate compact license. If your spouse is stationed in Connecticut or you’re relocating to the state, understanding compact license rules is essential.
Military families can maintain their compact license from their home state while practicing in Connecticut, providing career continuity despite frequent relocations—a significant advantage for nursing professionals in military families.
Telehealth Nursing: Connecticut’s Compact License Expands Virtual Care
Connecticut’s compact license status revolutionizes telehealth nursing opportunities. With the multistate compact license, nurses can provide telehealth nursing services to patients located in NLC states without obtaining additional licenses.
For travel nurses and Connecticut nurses interested in telehealth, this means you can serve patients across 40+ states using your single compact license—a game-changing development for remote nursing careers and work-life balance.
Connecticut Nursing License vs. Compact License: What’s the Difference?
Single-State Connecticut License: Valid only for practice in Connecticut. Nurses with single-state licenses who want to work in other states must apply for licensure by endorsement in each state.
Connecticut Compact License (Multistate): Valid for practice in Connecticut and all other NLC compact states, both in-person and via telehealth. This is the preferred option for travel nurses and nurses seeking maximum flexibility.
Connecticut residents with existing single-state licenses can apply to convert to a compact license through the Connecticut Department of Public Health portal.
Travel Nurse Licensing: Maintaining Your Compact License
For travel nurses, understanding compact license maintenance is crucial:
Primary State of Residence (PSOR): Your compact license is issued by your PSOR. If you move permanently to a new compact state, you have 60 days to apply for a new compact license in your new home state.
Renewal Requirements: Compact licenses follow your home state’s renewal schedule and continuing education requirements. Connecticut nurses with compact licenses must meet Connecticut’s renewal standards.
Multi-State Practice: While your compact license allows you to work as a travel nurse in all compact states, you must follow each state’s nursing practice laws and scope of practice requirements.
Connecticut RN License and LPN License: Both Eligible for Compact
Connecticut’s NLC participation covers both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs/LVNs). However, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are not included in the compact and must obtain separate state APRN licensure.
This is important for travel nurses in advanced practice roles—you’ll still need individual state APRN licenses even if you hold a compact RN license.
Connecticut Nursing Jobs: Beyond Travel Nursing
While this guide focuses on travel nurses and compact license opportunities, Connecticut’s NLC status benefits all nursing professionals:
- Permanent staff nurses in border areas can more easily pick up per diem shifts in neighboring compact states
- Case managers can coordinate care across state lines without licensing barriers
- School nurses working with multi-state student populations have expanded flexibility
- Hospice nurses can serve patients across state boundaries more seamlessly
Cost Savings: Connecticut Compact License for Travel Nurses
Travel nurses save significantly with Connecticut’s compact license:
Before Compact: Travel nurses needed to pay for separate Connecticut nursing license applications (typically $100-$200), background checks, and credential verification—for each state license.
With Compact: One compact license, one set of fees, access to 43 jurisdictions. For active travel nurses working in multiple states annually, this represents hundreds or thousands of dollars in savings, plus countless hours of administrative time.
Connecticut Healthcare Jobs: Meeting Demand with Compact Nurses
Governor Lamont emphasized that nursing shortages have put tremendous pressure on the nursing workforce, and entering the compact can eliminate burdensome red tape and expand the pool from which hospitals and healthcare facilities can hire.
For Connecticut healthcare facilities, compact license implementation means:
- Faster time-to-fill for critical nursing positions
- Access to nationwide pool of qualified travel nurses
- Reduced onboarding delays for out-of-state candidates
- Improved ability to address seasonal and specialty staffing needs
Next Steps: Navigating Connecticut’s Compact License with Cynet Health
Whether you’re a Connecticut nurse ready to explore travel nursing opportunities across America or a travel nurse excited about Connecticut assignments, Cynet Health is here to support your journey.
For Connecticut Nurses:
- Apply for your multistate compact license through the CT Department of Public Health
- Explore travel nurse opportunities in 40+ compact states
- Connect with Cynet Health to find your ideal travel assignment
For Travel Nurses:
- Verify your compact license is active and unencumbered
- Browse Connecticut travel nurse positions with Cynet Health
- Accept assignments faster with your multistate compact license
For Healthcare Facilities:
- Access qualified travel nurses with compact licenses through Cynet Health
- Reduce time-to-fill for critical nursing positions
- Build flexible staffing solutions with compact-licensed professionals
Connecticut Compact License: The Bottom Line for Travel Nurses
Connecticut’s implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact represents a transformative moment for travel nurses and healthcare staffing in the region. With streamlined licensing, reduced costs, and expanded mobility, Connecticut compact license holders have unprecedented career flexibility.
For travel nurses, Connecticut is no longer a barrier—it’s an opportunity. The compact license makes Connecticut travel nurse assignments accessible, affordable, and achievable. Whether you’re seeking your first travel nursing position or you’re a seasoned travel nurse exploring New England opportunities, Connecticut’s compact status changes everything.
Your Connecticut Travel Nurse Journey Starts Here
Cynet Health specializes in connecting travel nurses with exceptional opportunities in Connecticut and across all compact license states. Our team understands compact license regulations, state-specific requirements, and the unique needs of travel nursing professionals.
Ready to explore Connecticut travel nurse positions? Contact Cynet Health today to learn how we can support your nursing career with compact license opportunities nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions: Connecticut Compact License for Travel Nurses
Is Connecticut a compact state for nursing? Yes! Connecticut officially implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on October 1, 2025, becoming the 42nd compact license jurisdiction.
Can travel nurses work in Connecticut with a compact license? Absolutely. Travel nurses with active compact licenses from other NLC states can practice in Connecticut without obtaining a separate Connecticut nursing license.
How do I get a Connecticut compact license? Connecticut residents apply through the CT Department of Public Health, providing proof of residency, education credentials, and completing background checks.
What states recognize Connecticut compact licenses? Connecticut compact licenses are recognized in all 43 NLC jurisdictions, allowing practice in 40+ states with a single license.
Do I need a Connecticut nursing license if I have a compact license? If you hold an active compact license from another NLC state, you do NOT need a separate Connecticut license for travel nurse assignments in Connecticut.
How much does a Connecticut compact license cost? Connecticut compact license fees are set by the CT Department of Public Health. While fees vary, the investment provides access to 40+ states—significant savings compared to multiple individual state licenses.
Can LPNs get a Connecticut compact license? Yes! Connecticut’s NLC participation covers both RNs and LPNs/LVNs.
For the latest information about Connecticut compact license requirements and travel nurse opportunities, visit the Connecticut Department of Public Health at portal.ct.gov/dph or explore nursing compact details at nursecompact.com.
Connect with Cynet Health today to start your Connecticut travel nurse adventure with compact license convenience!
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