Living in Arizona, working in California
Can a Arizona nurse work in California?
A multistate (compact) license from Arizona generally does not authorize practice in California, because California is not a compact state. You will likely need a California license by endorsement or a single-state California license.
Recommended next step
Apply for licensure by endorsement with the California Board of Registered Nursing before practicing in California.
Things to keep in mind
- California controls its own licensure — apply directly through the California Board of Registered Nursing.
- Compact privilege does not extend into non-compact states.
- Always confirm your individual eligibility with the state board of nursing and check your license type in Nursys before you practice.
Related pages
Sources & last reviewed
- NLC frequently asked questions— NCSBN / NurseCompact (nursecompact.com)
Covers multistate licenses, primary state of residence, the 60-day rule, telehealth, and license type coverage.
- NLC member states map & status— NCSBN / NurseCompact (nursecompact.com)
Identifies full members, partial implementation (Guam), and enacted/awaiting implementation (Massachusetts, U.S. Virgin Islands).
- Nursys QuickConfirm license verification— NCSBN / Nursys (nursys.com)
Recommended destination to verify whether a license is single-state or multistate.
Facts on this page were last reviewed against official sources on 2026-06-17. Compact law changes — always verify with your state board of nursing.