Hi I am thinking of moving to the Raliegh area and was wondering how long it takes to get my NC license. Also, would anyone recommend keeping up with my NJ license?

You can only be licensed in one state at time. It took a few months to get full endorsement. The finger print card takes time plus you need a state ID

You can only be licensed in one state at time. It took a few months to get full endorsement. The finger print card takes time plus you need a state ID

This is not entirely accurate. Outside of only being allowed to hold one multi-state license if you are licensed in a compact state, you can hold as many nursing licenses that you wish to.

How do I know which states are compact states? I just don't want not have the ability to work in NJ as all my family is there and if I have to go back for a while I can and can still work

The Nurse Licensure Compact, or Compact as it is often referred to, is an agreement that works similar to a driver’s license. If you are licensed in one of these Compact states, and that states is your state of primary residence, then your license grants you multi-state privileges to work in any of the other Compact states. If you are licensed in any of these states, and you license grants you multi-state privileges, then you cannot be licensed in any of the other Compact states.

If your state of primary residence is a state other than a Compact state, then you can apply for and obtain licensure in any, or all, or the 24 compact states. In this case, the license that you receive will grant you single state privileges for the state in which it was issued.

In your case, New Jersey is not a participant in the Compact. Therefore, if you apply for licensure by endorsement prior to relocating to North Carolina, the license that you will be issued will not grant you multi-state privileges. After you relocate to North Carolina and update your address with the board of nursing, it is likely that your license will then grant you multi-state privileges.

Endorsing your license to North Carolina will have no impact on your New Jersey license, and it will remain active until its expiration date.

Thank you!! And I also read if I do go I need to start the process of endorsing my license 1-2months before I go

A month or two prior. Contact NC for the packet. It is pricy to endorse in NC. Plus you need CEUs here.