Occupational licensure compacts streamline professional credentialing by allowing licensed workers to practice across participating states without repeating the licensing process. These compacts help states respond to workforce shortages, improve access to care and services, and reduce administrative burdens.
Since 2016, states have enacted hundreds of licensure compact statutes, making occupational licensure one of the fastest-growing areas of interstate cooperation.
NCIC works with federal partners to support the development of new licensure compacts, particularly to assist military service members and spouses whose careers are affected by frequent relocations.
NCIC partnered with the Board of Certification and the Department of War to develop an interstate compact for athletic trainers. This compact creates reciprocity among participant states and reduces the barriers to license portability by establishing a uniform and expedient privilege to practice system. Eligible athletic trainers may use the compact to receive a privilege to practice in each compact member state they wish to provide services in.
NCIC partnered with the Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition and the Department of War to develop an interstate compact for cosmetologists. This additional licensing pathway creates reciprocity among participant states and reduces the barriers to license portability and employment. Through a streamlined and uniform process, eligible cosmetologists may receive a multistate license that they can use to practice in any compact member state.
NCIC partnered with the American Dental Association, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the Department of War to develop an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists. This compact creates reciprocity among participant states and reduces the barriers to license portability by establishing a uniform and expedient privilege to practice system. Eligible dentists and dental hygienists may use the compact to receive a privilege to practice in each compact member state they wish to provide services in.
NCIC partnered with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Department of War to develop an interstate compact for dietitians. This compact creates reciprocity among participant states and reduces the barriers to license portability by establishing a uniform and expedient privilege to practice system. Eligible dietitians may use the compact to receive a privilege to practice in each compact member state they wish to provide services in.
NCIC partnered with the Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition and the Department of War to develop an interstate compact for estheticians. This additional licensing pathway creates reciprocity among participant states and reduces the barriers to license portability and employment. Through a streamlined, uniform process, eligible cosmetologists may receive a multistate license that they can use to practice in any compact member state.
With support from the Health Resources and Services Administration, NCIC partnered with the American Academy of Physician Associates, the Federation of State Medical Boards, and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants to create an interstate compact for physician assistants/associates (PAs). This additional, streamlined licensing pathway facilitates practice for PAs in compact member states by establishing a uniform and expedient privilege to practice process. Eligible PAs may apply for a privilege to practice in each compact member state they wish to provide services in.
NCIC partnered with the American Association for Respiratory Care and the Department of War to establish the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. This additional, streamlined licensing pathway facilitates practice for respiratory therapists in compact member states by establishing a uniform and expedient privilege to practice process. Eligible respiratory therapists may apply for a privilege to practice in each compact member state they wish to provide services in.
NCIC partnered with the National Association of School Psychologists and the Department of War to develop a new interstate compact for school psychologists. This compact creates reciprocity among participant states and reduces barriers to license portability by creating a facilitated and streamlined process for licensure. Eligible school psychologists can apply for and receive an equivalent license from another compact member state through the compact.
NCIC partnered with the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification and the Department of War to develop an interstate compact for teachers. This compact creates reciprocity among participant states and reduces barriers to license portability by creating a facilitated and streamlined process for licensure. Eligible teachers can apply for and receive an equivalent license from another compact member state through the compact.
Interstate compacts help states coordinate complex infrastructure projects that span multiple jurisdictions. These agreements can reduce delays, improve transparency, and promote collaboration while maintaining state control.
This compact supports regional coordination on transmission line siting by implementing practices like standardizing application and review processes, deducing delays and uncertainty, and helping states avoid unnecessary federal preemption
States use interstate compacts to manage shared natural resources that cross jurisdictional boundaries, including water systems and ecosystems. These compacts establish governance structures that promote coordination, consistency, and long-term sustainability.
Established in 2008, this compact supports coordinated management and protection of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin through shared standards and collective decision-making.
NCIC can help answer questions and walk you through how an interstate compact could assist with a public policy problem. We work with state officials and public policy organizations to facilitate the compact development process by convening stakeholders, providing legal and technical drafting assistance, and offering educational support.
Social Work Licensure Compact
NCIC partnered with the Association of Social Work Boards and the Department of War to establish the Social Work Licensure Compact. This additional, streamlined licensing pathway facilitates practice among member states and reduces the barriers to license portability for social workers through a multistate license system. Through a streamlined and uniform process, eligible social workers may receive a multistate license that they can use to practice in any compact member state.
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