NCSL Occupational Licensing Consortium Case Study Report: Indiana Case Study Update

Indiana's state grant application for participation in the Occupational Licensing Policy Learning Consortium identified increasing portability of licensure for targeted professionals as an area of focus. The 2019 Indiana General Assembly passed the Enhanced Nurse Licensing Compact (eNLC) legislation, which went into effect July 1, 2019. The eNLC allows Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practice Nurses (LPNs)/Vocational Nurses (VNs) to have one multistate license, with the privilege to practice in their home state and other eNLC member states without obtaining additional licenses. The Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate CompAct (REPLICA) is a multistate compact that allows Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals to move and work across state lines. In 2019, REPLICA legislation was introduced in Indiana. At the time, the bill did not receive substantial support from the rescue and emergency services community. Knowing the bill was unlikely to pass without their support, the bill was not read in committee. However, introduced by Senator Ed Charbonneau, the 2020 Indiana General Assembly successfully passed REPLICA legislation. This case study focuses on the process and challenges that Indiana faced when passing the eNLC and REPLICA legislation and on the lessons learned. Key findings include: (1) eNLC succeeded because of widespread and carefully cultivated support; (2) For REPLICA, the focus on a high-priority need and buy-in from key stakeholders was critical to successfully passing the compact legislation; and (3) participating in eNLC and REPLICA strengthens Indiana's ability to address the approaching need for vaccinators due to COVID-19. [For the original report (2019), see ED602442.]