The Enhanced Nurse Licensure

Compact

ALABAMAJANUARY 1, 2020

Peggy Sellers Benson RN, MSHA, MSN, 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, modeled after the driver’s license compact, which follows the mutual recognition model.

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.

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 (MSP) 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 for 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; may practice in any party state.

Non-Party State – a state that is not part of the compact; you cannot practice on an MSL, but may apply for an individual license.

Definitions Continued

Deactivate – to change a license from an MSL to an 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?

Uniform Licensure Requirements

(ULRs)

MSLs are not issued to all licensees in a state; will require

vetting process for applicants.

Authority to obtain and submit criminal

background checks (CBCs)

What’s New?

Prompt reporting to Nursys® of

participation in alternative to

discipline programs (e.g., 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 residency 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

• no prior state or federal felony convictions or agreed dispositions• misdemeanor convictions/agreed dispositions evaluated by each state, on a case-by-case

basis

Submit to a criminal background check

Not currently enrolled in an alternative program

Have a valid U.S. Social Security number

Have legal residency in the U.S.

Uniform Licensure Requirements foreign educated

These remain the same: 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 an 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.

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

receivedNote: In Alabama, links to the

commission will be provided on the ABN website.

Nursys Implementation November 1, 2019

Certified verifications for ENDORSEMENT will be completed by Nursys.com.

Nursys Quick Confirm allows for rapid look-up during the interview process.

eNotify will be available to employers and nurses to register (free), to track both Alabama and non-Alabama nurses and for identity verification.

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 available for Alabama

licensees only.

The ABN Subscription Service remains in effect for

Alabama licensed nurses only.

NOTE: DO NOT ACCEPT CARDS FOR LICENSURE

VERIFICATION; validate both SSN and DOB. VERIFY

IDENTITY through e-Notify or ABN Subscription Service

Employer Need To

Know

Determine how many nurses working for you have an MSL elsewhere. The Alabama license will lapse on first renewal period following NLC implementation.

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 on MSPs.

NOTE: The ABN Subscription Service provides discipline and other license status change reports in real time, much more quickly than other services.

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 having received an MSL from Alabama.

2. Am I required to have an MSL?Answer: No. You are not required to obtain an MSL and may retain your 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 file a new application 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 a updated CBC and fingerprint.

6. My felony conviction occurred 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 the state.

8. My license was disciplined 5 years ago; am I eligible for an MSL?Answer: Yes, if all disciplinary encumbrances have been satisfied, 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