Massachusetts nurses have been regulated by the state since the early 20th century. Nursing has changed. With the use of technology in healthcare and the growth of multi-state healthcare companies, the need for nurses to practice in multiple states has increased. In response to this change in nursing, several states have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to practice across state lines in states that have adopted the NLC. Massachusetts should adopt the NLC so that MA nurses can have more job opportunities, have the ability to use more nurses in times of disaster, and create a simpler, safer way to deal with disciplinary action regarding nurses who practice in several states. Massachusetts nurses would greatly benefit from the adoption of the NLC in their state. Nursing regulation is controlled by the state. Each state has its own Nurse Practice Standards Act that regulates nursing practice and licensing. When nurses want to practice in another state, they must contact that state's board of nursing, reapply for a license, and pay an additional fee. The single state licensing system suggests that nurses are somewhat incompetent to practice across state lines (Poe, 2008). The single licensing system has placed barriers in front of nurses. This makes it harder for nurses to practice in other states and harder for multistate hospitals to use their nursing staff. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (Hellquist & Spector, 2004). The NLC "allows a nurse to be licensed (in the nurses' states of residence) and to practice in other states provided that such nurse recognizes...... middle of paper .... .. American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, 52(2), 52-53. Extracted from the CINAHL database. Hellquist, K. (2006). What nurse case managers need to know about the nurse licensure compact. Case Manager, 17(2), 47-50. doi:10.1016/j.casemgr.2005.11.001 Hellquist, K. & Spector, N. (2004). An Introduction: National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing. Journal of Healthcare Administration Healthcare Law, Ethics, and Regulation, 6 (4), 86-89. Extracted from the CINAHLPoe database, L. (2008). Nursing regulations, nursing licensure pact and nursing administrations: working together for patient safety. Nurse Administration Quarterly, 32(4), 267-272. Extracted from the CINAHL database. York, C. (2009). Message from the president. "Nurse Licensing Contract Bill Passed in Missouri!". Missouri State Board of Nursing Newsletter, 11(3), 1. Retrieved from CINAHL database.