SC Board of Nursing says I have to give up my NC license?

U.S.A. South Carolina

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CVICU, CCU, and Neuro ICU.

I called the South Carolina Board of Nursing earlier this week because I had a few questions about the license application. I was asked what other states I have a nursing license in and I told the woman I have licenses in PA, NJ, and NC. I also told her I'm a resident of PA and my NC license is a non compact license because I'm not a legal resident of NC. The woman at the SCBON office said that I'd have to give up my NC license to get a SC license because I can't have licenses in two compact states according to SC BON regulations. This seemed absurd to me, but I asked her to clarify that and she said that even though my NC license is a non compact license, they won't issue me a SC license until I give up my NC license because their rules and regulations don't allow someone to have license in multiple compact states.

This seems absurd to me. However she was very sure of herself and the regulations. When looking on the SCBON web site I couldn't find anything that states that I can't have a SC license if I have non compact license in other states. Was she misinformed?

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I recently am under the care of a physician in NC and there is an LPN there that is the lab person that is licensed in Maryland. She said NC won't accept her license either so she had to go to school in NC to get a Medical Assistant and phlemotobomist certification to be able to do that. She is a single mother of 6 and is unable to go back to school. What did you end up having to do or have you resolved that yet? It's hard to have to move to another state with a license not recognized due to the economy and you would think with the need of nurses being so high, they could come up with some type of reciprocity system or maybe a course for that state with a simple exam. I thought when I got into nursing it was pretty much the same as far as laws and the practice of nursing but each state is different. That confuses me. I'm trying to get licensed in Ga as I live on the SC/GA state line but can't find the info on the SC web site either. Have not called yet. Just curious as to our outcome so I might be able to help her out.

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NC is a compact state, so it's SC.

When moving From one compact state to another:

You can practice on the former residency license for up to 30 days. You will be required to:

  • Apply for licensure by endorsement (It is recommended that nurses apply 1-2 months in advance of a move.)
  • Pay any applicable fees
  • Complete a declaration of primary state of residency in the new home state

You will be issued a new multistate license and the former is inactivated. You must notify the board of nursing in the former residency state that you have moved out of state. Proof of residency may be required.

Example Scenario

Let's say that Mary is a licensed RN who has primary residence in Colorado. However, she lives near the four corners (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado). Since all of these states are participants, through the compact Mary can drive across these borders to practice, or practice electronically, without additional applications or fees.

Mary decides later to move her primary residence to New Mexico. She now has a 30-day grace period to practice on the same license. By the end of the 30 days, Mary will need to have received her new multistate license. Mary would be wise to apply in advance of the move.

I hope this clarifies it for you.

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Thanks!

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CVICU, CCU, and Neuro ICU.
NC is a compact state, so it's SC.

When moving From one compact state to another:

You can practice on the former residency license for up to 30 days. You will be required to:

  • Apply for licensure by endorsement (It is recommended that nurses apply 1-2 months in advance of a move.)
  • Pay any applicable fees
  • Complete a declaration of primary state of residency in the new home state

You will be issued a new multistate license and the former is inactivated. You must notify the board of nursing in the former residency state that you have moved out of state. Proof of residency may be required.

Example Scenario

Let's say that Mary is a licensed RN who has primary residence in Colorado. However, she lives near the four corners (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado). Since all of these states are participants, through the compact Mary can drive across these borders to practice, or practice electronically, without additional applications or fees.

Mary decides later to move her primary residence to New Mexico. She now has a 30-day grace period to practice on the same license. By the end of the 30 days, Mary will need to have received her new multistate license. Mary would be wise to apply in advance of the move.

I hope this clarifies it for you.

I saw this in my old posts.

It doesn't clarify anything. I was NOT a resident of a compact state at the time(PA Resident) and I didn't become a resident of a compact state until several years later. You seem to be completely missing that fact.

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...You seem to be completely missing that fact.

I'm impressed. You resurrected a 7 year old thread, to chide a member that hasn't posted in 6 years.

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