Compact State Licensure from a non-compact state

Nurses Job Hunt

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I have a question about the license compact system.

The state that I'm currently licensed in, GA, is not a compact state.

If I get a license by endorsement in a state that is a compact state (for example, North Carolina), can I then use the fact that I have a compact state license to apply for jobs in all the other compact state?

I am currently in the middle of a nation-wide Job Search, and I think being licensed in a compact state would make me more marketable in all other compact states because then you have the 30 day window if you're hired in another compact state other than your home state that you can use your compact state license to work until you are able to get a permanent license in the state that you moved to, so you can begin working immediately.

Basically, it's like this:

Licensed in GA (non-compact state) --> Apply for job in Texas (or any other compact state) --> Can't work in Texas until you get a Texas License.

Licensed in NC (compact state) --> Apply for job in Texas (or any other compact state) --> Can begin working immediately in Texas because you have 30 days that your NC license is good for until you have to be licensed in Texas.

So, I'm thinking it might be worth it to pick up a compact state license so I could begin working immediately in any compact state that I happen to get hired in?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

That scenario only works if you have a permanent residence in the compact state. so the more accurate scenario is

Licensed in GA (non-compact state), live in GA --> Apply for job in Texas (or any other compact state) --> Can't work in Texas until you get a Texas License.

Licensed in NC (compact state) live in NC --> Apply for job in Texas (or any other compact state) --> Can begin working immediately in Texas because you have 30 days that your NC license is good for until you have to be licensed in Texas.

Licensed in NC (compact state) live in GA --> Apply for job in Texas (or any other compact state) --> Can't work in Texas until you get a Texas License because you only have a NC license as you do not have permanent residency status in a compact state (i.e. licensed in NC but live in GA)

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Just to clarifyfurther what JustBeachy said, if you apply for licensure in a compact state but are not a permanent resident of that state (e.g., apply from out of state), you will get a license, but it won't have "compact privileges" -- that is, it will be a regular, traditional license that is only recognized in that state and can't be used to work in any other compact state. There is no particular advantage to "picking up" a license in a compact state unless you live there.

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Thanks for the information.

It appears then that new graduates from compact states who are willing to work anywhere have a significant advantage over non-compact state graduates, as they are immediately employable in any other compact state. A month is not an insignificant time period that an agency has to wait before you can start working.

I wonder if that explains why some states choose to not participate in the compact: fear that making it easier to leave would do more harm than good.

Aside from Augusta, Georgia has no significant border towns, with the areas along the Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee borders being very rural. However, there are several major urban areas just across the border in adjacent states. Maybe the legislature/BON is concerned that compact membership would allow places like Jacksonville, Tallahasse, and Chattanooga to draw nurses away from rural Georgia by allowing them to keep their homes here and work in the other state's urban area just across the line.

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I'm also in the same position. I live in Indiana (non compact) but licensed in New Mexico. Planning to transfer to Texas, should I apply reciprocity ahead since i will not be able to use my New Mexico since it is not my permanent residence? Thanks

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Licensed in NC (compact state) live in GA --> Apply for job in Texas (or any other compact state) --> Can't work in Texas until you get a Texas License because you only have a NC license as you do not have permanent residency status in a compact state (i.e. licensed in NC but live in GA)

I can attest to this. My compact license lost its multistate privileges when I left the compact state and made a non-compact state my primary residence--it reverted to a single-state license. I could go back to work in that state if I wanted to as long as I maintained the license, but I no longer had the ability to work in the neighboring compact states.

And I just realized this is quite the resurrected thread :)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I'm also in the same position. I live in Indiana (non compact) but licensed in New Mexico. Planning to transfer to Texas, should I apply reciprocity ahead since i will not be able to use my New Mexico since it is not my permanent residence? Thanks

Reciprocity is only nclex results. There are no guarantees of licensing in any state. You apply for a nursing license by endorsement. If you are an IEN you may need to follow those instructions which may include CGFNS

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