Michigan Bill Pushes for Nurse Licensure Compact
Michigan's House Bill 4246, which would allow the state to join the Nurse Licensure Compact, is advancing. The move would enable nurses to practice across member state lines, a policy aimed at addressing workforce shortages.
This isn't the first time Michigan has considered the Nurse Licensure Compact; similar legislation has been introduced five times since 2017. Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a 2020 bill, expressing concern that it would unconstitutionally cede Michigan's authority to regulate the nursing profession to an interstate commission. As of early 2026, 41 states have joined the compact, including Michigan's neighbors Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Proponents like the Michigan Health & Hospital Association argue joining is critical for nurse recruitment, improving telehealth access, and allowing for rapid deployment of nurses during emergencies. Opponents, including the Michigan Nurses Association, argue the compact would undermine the state's higher standards for licensure and continuing education. They also contend it could weaken nurses' bargaining power by making it easier for healthcare facilities to bring in out-of-state nurses during labor disputes. The debate unfolds against a backdrop of a severe workforce crisis. Michigan hospitals are currently seeking to fill more than 8,500 nursing positions. A 2023 University of Michigan study found that nearly 40% of the state's nurses intended to leave their jobs within a year, citing burnout and inadequate staffing as primary reasons. For advanced practice nurses, including nurse-midwives, the NLC has a significant limitation. The compact applies only to the foundational Registered Nurse (RN) license, not the advanced practice authorization. A separate APRN Compact, which would allow multi-state practice for Certified Nurse-Midwives, is in development but is not yet active. It will only go into effect once a minimum of seven states enact the legislation.
