As of January 19, 2018, the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) takes effect in Texas.
Pursuant to Texas House Bill 2950 the previous Nurse Licensure Compact has been replaced with the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). The purpose of the eNLC is to allow nurses to have mobility across state borders and to increase access to healthcare while maintaining protections for the public.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing released two videos: Transitioning to the eNLC – Original Compact States and Transitioning to the eNLC – New Compact States. The videos are geared toward helping nurses and employers understand the new requirements under the eNLC.
Multistate Licensure Privilege for Nurses under the eNLC
The eNLC allows registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (VNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) the ability to practice in their home state and other eNLC states under one multistate license, just as the previous Compact allowed.
A nurse licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) who holds an unencumbered multistate license will have an unencumbered multistate licensure privilege in all states that have adopted the eNLC. Under this one multistate license, nurses will have the privilege to practice in Texas and in other eNLC states physically, electronically, and telephonically.
Further, since Texas is no longer a party state to the original Nurse Licensure Compact, nurses holding licenses from states that have not signed on to the eNLC will no longer have the privilege to practice in Texas.
Nurses Licensed in Colorado, New Mexico, and Rhode Island
At the time of this post, the Board of Nursing states: “By eNLC compact law, Texas will no longer participate or be a party state in the original Nurse Licensure Compact. This means that your Colorado, New Mexico, or Rhode Island LVN/LPN and/or RN license will no longer include a privilege to practice in Texas. In order to continue to practice as an LVN/LPN or RN in Texas, you must have a Texas license. Without Texas licensure, you will not be eligible to continue to practice in Texas.”
Felony Convictions & Guilty Pleas to Felony Charges Under the eNLC
The eNLC includes a few significant changes that will affect some nurses’ ability to utilize the multistate licensure privilege currently available under the NLC.
Texas BON licensure applicants who have been convicted of a felony, or plead guilty to a felony, will not be eligible for a multistate license under the eNLC. These applicants, if determined to be eligible for a license in Texas, will receive a single state license to practice in Texas only. If a nurse with a single state license wishes to practice in another state, he or she must apply for a single state license to practice in the other state.
If a BON licensee receives a felony conviction, or pleads guilty to a felony after January 19, 2018 (the effective date of the eNLC), he or she will lose the multistate licensure privilege. If the nurse remains eligible to keep their BON license in Texas, then he or she will be able to retain only the Texas single state license.
However, any current Texas licensee who has a past felony conviction or guilty plea to a felony prior to January 19, 2019, if eligible to retain their license in Texas, will be eligible to maintain a multistate licensure privilege under the eNLC.
Protecting Your Texas Nursing License
BERTOLINO LLP helps professionals, like you, keep their licenses when those licenses are under attack by a state agency or board. If you have a licensing issue or are under investigation by the Texas Board of Nursing, your license, reputation, and career are on the line. We understand that you have worked for years to become a licensed nurse in Texas. Our law firm can help you.
Contact us today or call (512) 476-5757 and schedule a case evaluation.
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