Federal Trade Commission Report Highlights Nurse Licensure Compact

On September 24, 2018, the Federal Trade Comission (FTC) released a report titled, "Policy Perspectives: Options to Enhance Occupational License Portability." Written by the FTC’s Office of Policy Planning, the report is the first written under the new FTC Chairman Joe Simons since taking office May 1, 2018. Much of the report’s content was informed by the FTC’s Economic Liberty Task Force Roundtables from July and November 2017.

This study focuses on the benefits of occupational license portability and what steps can be taken to increase the portability. It discusses the current legal structures that exist such as interstate compacts and highlights the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Compact. Former NCSBN President, Kathy Thomas was quoted on the NLC, stating the compact was “designed to reduce barriers, to make it easier for nursing to meet the needs of the health care delivery system and the needs of patients.” Overall, the study advocates for mutual recognition of licenses through various methods, including interstate compacts. It also encourages states to work towards reducing barriers for military spouses who relocate often.