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NCSBN Welcomes Kentucky as the 22nd State to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), http://www.ncsbn.org is pleased to announce that Kentucky recently passed legislation to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The state will begin the rule writing process to work toward implementation of the NLC in 2007.

The concept of the mutual recognition of nurse licensure is what the NLC model is based upon, and the NLC seeks to simplify government processes and remove regulatory barriers in order to increase access to safe nursing care. NCSBN and its member boards of nursing arrived at this model in response to the rapidly evolving health care environment, which includes emerging practice modalities and technology (e.g. telenursing) for nurses who practice across state lines both physically and electronically in a variety of health care settings.

Charlotte F. Beason, Ed.D, RN, CNAA, Executive Director of the Kentucky Board of Nursing, remarks, "Participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact will afford KY nurses increased mobility and greater work flexibility. It will also enable employers to hire safe, competent licensed nurses from compact states more easily -- assuring the Board of Nursing mission to protect the public through the provision of quality nursing care."

Currently, 21 other states have enacted the legislation allowing for participation in the NLC. Other states in the Compact include: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey (still to be implemented), New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

NCSBN developed the NLC with its member boards in 1997. Under the NLC, nurses hold one license in their state of residency and are able to practice in the other NLC states, provided that they follow the state's Nursing Practice Act for where the care is provided (similar to the drivers license compact). All NLC states are required to participate in a coordinated licensure database called Nursys® that aids the NLC in the advancement of its objective to enhance public protection through timely and more complete information sharing.

"The NLC allows nurses expedient and efficient authorization to practice in participating jurisdictions granting them greater mobility without compromising the welfare of the general public," comments Kathy Apple, MS, RN, NCSBN Executive Director.

Operationally, the NLC is administered by the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators (NLCA) who function as a separate, incorporated body made up of the participating state-designated NLC administrators. NCSBN provides Secretariat services for the NLCA.

In addition to the NLC, NCSBN also recognizes and supports the historic single state licensure model, which requires licensure in those states of all nurses working there physically or electronically, regardless of residency.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose membership comprises the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five United States territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Mission: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), composed of Member Boards, provides leadership to advance regulatory excellence for public protection.

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