H338 Summary

• Repeals the current nurse licensure compact (G.S. 90-171.80 through 90-171.94) and replaces it with a new Interstate Compact on Nurse Licensure allowing registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/VNs) to practice across party states under a single multistate license issued by their home state.

• Establishes multistate licensure requirements including passing NCLEX exams, completing approved nursing education programs, English proficiency where applicable, criminal background checks, and meeting home state qualifications; prohibits multistate licensure for those convicted of felonies or related misdemeanors.

• Creates the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators to oversee implementation, establish uniform rules, maintain a coordinated licensure information system for sharing nurse discipline and licensure data, and enforce compact compliance across party states.

• Authorizes remote states to take adverse actions against nurses' multistate licensure privileges but limits the power to revoke or suspend licenses to the nurse's home state; requires nurses to comply with practice laws of the state where the patient is located.

• Becomes effective when at least 26 states enact the compact or December 31, 2018, whichever occurs first; allows party states to withdraw with six months' notice.