Washington will allow nurses holding an active multistate license to begin practicing in the state starting July 24, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The state recently became the 40th jurisdiction to enact the Nurse Licensure Compact.

With the multistate license, nurses can provide telehealth nursing services to patients located in NLC states without having to obtain additional licenses, according to the council. In addition, the compact allows registered nurses and licensed practical and vocational nurses to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in person or via telehealth, in both their home territory and state and other NLC states.

According to the NCSBN, licensure requirements are aligned in NLC states, and nurses applying for a multistate license are required to meet the same standards.

“A multistate license facilitates cross-border practice for many types of nurses who routinely practice with patients in other states, including primary care nurses, case managers, transport nurses, school and hospice nurses and many others,” the council said in a statement. “Further, military spouses who experience moves every few years also benefit greatly from the multistate license.”

The NCSBN also stated that as part of the NLC legislation in Washington, the state’s Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission will officially change its name to the Washington State Board of Nursing on July 24.