How do I get my State License in time?

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 20, 2012

I want to start looking for traveling nursing positions and am currently working and licensed in Illinois, which is not a compact state.
How do you go about applying and getting a new state license when you want to continue working in your current state until a closer departure date?

You don't have to give up your current state license when you get a license in another state.

If there are states to which you know you will wish to travel, check the Board of Nursing site for that state to see what the usual time frame is and what the requirements are. Be careful with states requiring fingerprints as a good percentage can be rejected requiring you to have them redone, which really extends the time needed. Start on these states way ahead.

There are still a very few states which have true "walk thru" licensing where you can receive a temp license the same day with all the proper documentation. Your agency will have a list of these states.

GypsyLPN · Apr 21, 2012

Thank you bagladyrn!!

You don't even realize how excited I am to hear this. In school, we were told over and over we could have only one state license so we had to figure out were we wanted that to be and stick with it. Knowing I can keep my license in Illinois and be working while applying and waiting for travel jobs in other states is amazing!

Thanks again! You made my night :)

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 21, 2012

Thank you bagladyrn!!
You don't even realize how excited I am to hear this. In school, we were told over and over we could have only one state license so we had to figure out were we wanted that to be and stick with it. Knowing I can keep my license in Illinois and be working while applying and waiting for travel jobs in other states is amazing!
Thanks again! You made my night :)

I've been traveling for over 15 years now. I have licenses in about a dozen states now. The biggest hassle is keeping track of when each needs to be renewed (and paying all those fees!)