The Enhanced Nurse Licensure
Compact
ALABAMA
JANUARY 1, 2020
Peggy Sellers Benson RN, MSN, MSHA, NE-BC
Objectives❖ Identify key provisions
of the Enhanced National Licensure Compact (eNLC).
❖ Examine definition changes inherent to the eNLC.
❖ Discuss license verification changes for employers.
❖ Explain Subscription Service changes.
What is an Interstate
Compact?
❖ A statutory agreement between two or more states established for the purpose of remedying a particular problem of multistate concern
❖ A contract between two or more party states
What is the Nurse
Licensure Compact?
▪ The NLC is an interstate compact.
▪ It allows a nurse to have one
multistate license (in his or her
primary state of residency).
▪ This permits the nurse to practice
in other member states (both
physically and electronically),
subject to each state’s practice
laws.
Mutual RecognitionModel of Licensure
The NLC is modeled
after the driver’s license
compact, which follows
the mutual recognition model of licensure.
Primary Concepts
Nurse is issued a multistate license in the declared primary state of residence(PSOR), known as the home state.
Nurse holds only one multistate license (issued by the home state).
Nurse has a multistate licensure privilege in other Compact states (remote/party states).
Public Policy Goal
Nurse Licensure Compact
State-Based License
Nationally Recognized
Locally Enforced
Current NLC Participating
States
What Does it Take to Join?
✓ A state must enact the enhanced NLC model language into law.
✓ A state must have the ability to conduct a federal criminal background check of a nurse, upon initial licensure or licensure by endorsement.
Key New
Provisions in the
Enhanced Nurse
Licensure
Compact (eNLC)
Definitions You
Need to KNOW
PSOR - Primary state of residence (where you actually live).
MSL - Multistate license; you may practice in any party state.
SSL - Single state license; you may only practice in the state that issued the license.
MSP - Multistate Privilege; when you practice in any party state, the practice is on the privilege granted by the state issuing the MSL.
Definitions Continued
Home State - where you live and are licensed.
Party State (Remote State) – a state (that has enacted the eNLC) where you may practice on a multistate license.
Non-Party State – a state that is not part of the compact; you cannot practice on a MSL, but may apply for an individual license.
Definitions Continued
Deactivate – to change a
license from a MSL to a SSL
VDAP - Voluntary Discipline
Alternative Program
CBC – Criminal Background
Check
Definitions Continued
NURSYS - a coordinated license
management system made up of all state
boards of nursing. NLC verification for out
of state licensees will occur through
Nursys.
NLC Commission – The governing body of
the NLC. The commission consists of one
member from each party state. The
Executive Officer of the ABN is the
Alabama commissioner/administrator .
What’s
New?
Authority to obtain and submit criminal background checks (CBCs).
Uniform Licensure Requirements
(ULRs)
MSLs are not issued to all licensees in a state; will require vetting process for
applicants.
What’s
New?
Prompt reporting to Nursys® of participation in alternative to discipline programs (VDAP).
Establishes Interstate Commission (NLC).
Provides for rulemaking by the Commission.
Improves dispute resolution and termination (if necessary) by the NLC commission.
Uniform Licensure Requirements
To receive a multistate license, a nurse
must:
▪ Have permanent residence in a
Compact state (home state).
▪ Meet the home state’s
qualifications.
▪ Graduate from a qualifying
education program.
▪ Pass the NCLEX-RN® or NCLEX-PN®
exam (or predecessor).
Uniform Licensure
Requirements▪ Hold an active, unencumbered license.
▪ Submit to a criminal background check.
▪ no prior state or federal felony convictions or entered into an agreed disposition.
▪ misdemeanor convictions/agreed dispositions evaluated by each state on a case-by-case basis.
▪ Not currently enrolled in an alternative program.
▪ Have a valid U.S. Social Security number.
▪ Have legal residence in the U.S.
Uniform Licensure
Requirements
▪ If foreign educated:
▪ Prelicensure education program approved by authorizing accrediting body in applicable country.
▪ Education verified by independent credentials review agency to be comparable to US education requirements.
▪ Successfully pass English proficiency examination with components of reading, speaking, writing, listening.
▪ Exceptions – prelicensure education program taught in English or English is individual’s native language.
Authorities of Home State Licensing Boards
▪ Required to deactivate multistate license (convert to a single state license):
▪ when license is encumbered or participant is in alternative to discipline program
▪ when licensee changes primary state of residence to a non-party state
▪ Required to deactivate multistate license (according to Compact rules):
▪ when licensee changes primary state of residence (PSOR) to a party state
Enactment, Effective Date
& Implementation Date
Enact
• 2019 Alabama passes eNLClegislation.
Development
• Sets implementation date of January 1, 2020.
• Develops rules for implementation.
• Develops application infrastructure and completes staff/licensee training.
Implement
• Implementation Date: January 1, 2020
•Accept multistate license applications and issue MSLs.
•Nurses with MSLs can practice on the MSP in Alabama.
Important to Know
Why isn’t the compact implemented
on the date the state enacts the
legislation?
Can a nurse with an MSL in a current
compact state start practicing in
Alabama on the effective date?
Why does the eNLC implementation
date need to occur within 6 months of
the effective date?
Nurse LicensureCompact Commission
Governing body of the NLC; also a public agency
The commission consists of one member from each party state. The Executive Officer of the ABN is the Alabama
commissioner/administrator.
NLC Rulemaking
▪ Rules adopted directly by the
Commission.
▪ Legally binding in all party
states and carry the effect
of law.
▪ No requirement that rules be
ratified or adopted by
individual states.
▪ Such rulemaking authority is
permitted and exercised by
other current interstate
compacts that have been
enacted in all 50 states.
More on Rulemaking
▪ The procedural requirements include:
▪ Notice to the public of
proposed and adopted rules
▪ Opportunity for comment
▪ Opportunity for public hearing
▪ Consideration and voting
upon proposed rules
▪ Responding to comments
received
Note: In Alabama, links to the
commission will be provided on
the ABN website.
▪ Procedures followed in the event of
noncompliance with the Compact:
▪ Technical assistance to address noncompliance
▪ Dispute resolution processes
▪ Termination from the Compact, if compliance
has not been successful
NLC Commission: Oversight,
Dispute Resolution,
and Enforcement
Nursys Implementation November 1, 2019
Certified verifications will be completed by Nursys.com.
Nursys Quick Confirm allows for rapid look up.
eNotify will be available to employers and nurses to register (free) to track both Alabama and non-Alabama nurses.
NURSYS.COM
License Verification for Endorsements
All licensees are to use
Nursys.com to request license
verification. The cost is $30.00
per verification.
ABN will no longer provide
license verification for
endorsement to other states;
this will available only through Nursys.com.
Employer
License
Verification
License verification for MSL applicants must occur through Nursys.com.
Alabama employers should enroll in Nursys e-Notify for all MSL licensees (and Alabama single state licensees, if desired).
Alabama license lookup will still exist for Alabama licensees only.
ABN Subscription Service remains in effect for Alabama licensed nurses only.
NOTE: DO NOT ACCEPT CARDS FOR LICENSURE VERIFICATION and validate both SSN and DOB.
Employer
Need To
Know
Determine how many nurses work for you that have an MSL elsewhere. The Alabama license will lapse on renewal.
Be sure the MSL nurse is listed in the ABN Subscription Service as an MSL from another state for your annual report.
ABN Subscription Service
The Subscription Service will be utilized for discipline reports, licensure changes, and the annual report.
Employers are required to list all MSL nurses hired and allowed to work in Alabama.
NOTE: The ABN Subscription Service provides discipline and other license status change reports in real time, much more quickly than other services.
New Service Offered
Alabama nurses may request a
report of Nursys individual
licensee data to review what is
on file with Nursys.com.
The fee is $50.00 and the
request may be made through
the ABN website.
Common Questions
1. Can I start practicing now in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas with my Alabama license?
Answer: No, you cannot start working in another state until after January 1, 2020 and after you have applied for and received a MSL license from Alabama.
2. Am I required to have an MSL?
Answer: No, you are not required to obtain a MSL and may stay as a single state licensee (SSL).
3. What is the fee for an RN or LPN MSL?
Answer: $200.00
Questions
4. Can I just renew my SSL to an MSL?
Answer: You will need to apply for an MSL. You may do that at any time.
5. I had a CBC for my initial RN license; do I have to obtain another CBC for the MSL?
Answer: Yes. If you are a first time applicant for a MSL license in Alabama, you must have an updated CBC and fingerprint.
6. My felony conviction was 20 years ago – am I eligible for an MSL?
Answer: No, you will not meet the uniform licensure requirements.
Questions Continued
7. I have a Missouri MSL and am moving to Alabama in February 2020; will my Missouri MSL be grandfathered into Alabama?
Answer: No, if you change your primary state of residence (PSOR), you will need to apply for an MSL in Alabama within 30 days of moving to Alabama.
8. My license was disciplined 5 years ago – am I eligible for an MSL?
Answer: Yes, if all disciplinary encumbrances have been met, you are eligible.
Information
The ABN will provide links to all NLC information on the ABN website, including:
•Nursys verification
•NLC Commission
•NLC rule changes, etc.
QUESTIONS