No More Hard Copies of License?

[Medic09, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Seems that New Mexico no longer issues a hard copy of the nursing license. http://www.bon.state.nm.us/lookupinfo.php

I was getting anxious about not receiving my renewed license, and discovered this while looking up the BON to give them a call. What other states have done away with paper/plastic/etc. licenses?

[aura_of_laura]

PA still give paper licenses, but I certainly wouldn't mind keeping it all electronic!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Texas stopped issuing wallet-sized hard copies of nursing licenses back in September 2008 in their efforts to reduce nurse impostor fraud. Apparently, the majority of nurse impostors are able to fraudulently obtain employment by producing a stolen hard copy of someone's license.

[jcriderlpn]

SC doesn't issue hard copies anymore either.

[aura_of_laura]

Apparently, the majority of nurse impostors are able to fraudulently obtain employment by producing a stolen hard copy of someone's license.

Now that you mention it, I had to provide the full-page copy of my license when I applied for my current job. I found it odd at the time, but now it makes sense!

[DoGoodThenGo]

With so much ID theft and so forth going on, it makes sense not to issue hard copies anymore.So many people carry around far to much un-necessary personal papers in their handbags/wallets, that when either is stolen it proves a goldmine for those with criminal intentions. It is quite easy for a hospital or any other clinical setting to verify one's license these days via computer, especially for recent grads and or reissues.

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

WA state does not either, unless you request one.

[DogWmn]

Add Ohio to that list of paperless

[elkpark]

NC went "paperless" several years ago. CMS and Joint Commission rules no longer consider the ol' photocopy of the license to "count" as verification of licensure, either -- employers have to verify via the primary source (the BON website). I was a surveyor for NC and CMS several years ago, and we would cite employers for not verifying licenses if they had copies of the licenses in the personnel files but didn't have documentation that they had verified licenses directly through the BON.

[nurturing_angel]

Indiana doesn't issue hard copies anymore either. Licenses are verified on line. Regardless, we still have to provide the nursing management with a payment reciept each time we renew our licenses.

[wsuRN09]

WA state does not either, unless you request one.

Wierd, WA state sent me mine and I didn't ask for it. So I was a little surprised to find it in the mail last week. Maybe it's because I'm a new grad and it was my first license?

[winsome08]

With crooks finding so many avenues for identity theft, I agree with the concept of going paperless.