As previously discussed, the ICAOS received advanced congressional consent pursuant to 4 U.S.C. § 112 (2004). Accordingly, the agreement created a Compact that must be construed as federal law enforceable on member states through the Supremacy Clause and the Compacts Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Given the contractual nature of Compacts, member states may not act unilaterally to alter the terms and conditions of the agreement. Any state law that would conflict with or attempt to supersede the ICAOS would be unenforceable to the extent of any conflict. Additionally, state executive bodies and courts are required to give full force and effect to the agreement by the explicit terms of the ICAOS and its standing as (1) a valid Compact, (2) which is contractual in nature, and (3) must be construed as federal law. For example, a state parole board may not impose terms and conditions on parolees from other states that exceed or attempt to override the requirements set by the Commission.