Utah is first to adopt into law the concept of mutual recognition for nursing regulation

Connecticut Nursing News, Jun-Aug 1998

On March 14, 1998, Utah Governor Michael Leavitt signed into law Senate Bill 146, the Nursing Regulation-Interstate Compact bill. By this action, Utah became the first state in the nation to adopt into law the concept of the mutual recognition of nursing licenses. The effective date of the act is January 1, 2000.

At the present time, Utah is the first state to adopt mutual recognition compact legislation for nursing regulation, but over the next two or three years, many other states are expected to take action to join the Utah State Board of Nursing in the interstate compact. Under this model, a nurse will hold a license in one state (state of residency) and will be able to practice in any state that has signed onto the interstate compact, provided the nurse follows the laws and regulations of the state in which he/she practices.

For implementation to occur, states need to take the compact language to their legislatures for enactment. The National Council continues to assist member boards of nursing to implement the model of mutual recognition for nursing regulation.

Additional information about mutual recognition for nursing regulation is available at the Web site of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (http://www.ncsbn.org).