Another Compact State Question

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Mar 2, 2008

Despite reading many threads about compact states, I do have a question. Please respond to the following:
If you apply for an RN license in a compact state (for example, Mississippi), and then after receiving the license move to another compact state (for example, North Carolina), will North Carolina then require you to apply for a North Carolina RN license after living/working there for an extended period of time (for example, after one year; say when it's time to renew your license)? Or, can you simply maintain your Mississippi license, yet continue to work in North Carolina (for example, 5 to 10, etc years down the road)?
Thank you for the response.

If your taking perm residence there, they you have to get a licences in the state your livining in. You license is based of your perm address.

Gottago · Mar 2, 2008

Thanks for the quick response.

Jolie, BSN · Mar 2, 2008

If you possess a compact state license (MS in your example), you are able to practice as a "visitor" (my word, not the BON language) in other compact states, either by crossing a border to practice in a neighboring state, or working as a traveler in another compact state. You maintain your residence in the state in which your license was issued (MS).

If you then actually move your residence to another compact state (to NC in your example), you must apply for licensure in the new state. As a resident of the state, the compact portion of your license is no longer valid there, and you must hold a state-issued license to practice. You could cross the border to SC and practice on your compact license there, though.

I live in NE, and the State Board here allows compact license holders who move to NE to practice via their compact license for 30 days, after which they must have a valid NE license to continue practicing in this state.

Gottago · Mar 2, 2008

How about this twist:

What if you live in a non-compact state, but begin work as a travel nurse (traveling, say every 3 to 6 months, back and forth from the compact to the non-compact state)? (Due to family in both.)

How would this affect your licensure?

Gottago · Mar 2, 2008

If you possess a compact state license (MS in your example), you are able to practice as a "visitor" (my word, not the BON language) in other compact states, either by crossing a border to practice in a neighboring state, or working as a traveler in another compact state. You maintain your residence in the state in which your license was issued (MS).
If you then actually move your residence to another compact state (to NC in your example), you must apply for licensure in the new state. As a resident of the state, the compact portion of your license is no longer valid there, and you must hold a state-issued license to practice. You could cross the border to SC and practice on your compact license there, though.
I live in NE, and the State Board here allows compact license holders who move to NE to practice via their compact license for 30 days, after which they must have a valid NE license to continue practicing in this state.

Okay, I think this answers my second question.

Thanks.

I suppose I'll have to investigate the individual state's residency requirements, etc.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 2, 2008

I live in MO which is a non compact state. I have a MO license.

I have an AR license which is a compact state because I also work in AR.

I can *only* work in AR with my compact state license because I do not have a perm residence there. It screams all across my AR license....VALID ONLY IN ARKANSAS.

From what I understand, if I move to AR and establish a perm. residence there, then I would apply for licensure there, then I could use my AR license and work in other compact states.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 2, 2008

How about this twist:
What if you live in a non-compact state, but begin work as a travel nurse (traveling, say every 3 to 6 months, back and forth from the compact to the non-compact state)? (Due to family in both.)
How would this affect your licensure?

You just need to get a license in the new state. If it is not part of the compact state initiative, then you need a licens to work there. Quite easy to do, you just need to apply for License by Endorsement.

You can have as many licenses as you wish, as long as you are willing to pay for them and keep them active.

Midwest4me · Mar 2, 2008

You just need to get a license in the new state. If it is not part of the compact state initiative, then you need a licens to work there. Quite easy to do, you just need to apply for License by Endorsement.
You can have as many licenses as you wish, as long as you are willing to pay for them and keep them active.

I have some wierd questions:

1) how do you nurses who have the compact licenses and work in various states manage to do your taxes each year? Isn't it a headache to file in each state? That seems confusing to me...and expensive too.

2) If I were to move to the midwest(like IL or IA) from here in the west (no, I'm not in CA) and got a compact license, should I get the license before I moved or afterwards? It seems to me that I need an actual physical address to submit with the IL or IA license application---but for now it would have to be a family member's---but it would be nice to HAVE the license in hand the day I move into IL or IA. Am I being too confusing, let me know. Thanks!

Jolie, BSN · Mar 2, 2008

I've never worked as a traveler, but have moved many times, and have had the pleasure of filing as many as 5 state income tax forms in one year. It is a colossal PIA, and I suggest obtaining expert advice on how to do it.

As for applying for out-of-state licensure, I always do so well in advance of actually moving. I list my current (out-of-state) address as my address of record, then change it with the BON once I have actually moved into the state. It's never been a problem. Are there states that won't issue a license to an out-of-state applicant?

suzanne4, RN · Mar 2, 2008

I have some wierd questions:
1) how do you nurses who have the compact licenses and work in various states manage to do your taxes each year? Isn't it a headache to file in each state? That seems confusing to me...and expensive too.
2) If I were to move to the midwest(like IL or IA) from here in the west (no, I'm not in CA) and got a compact license, should I get the license before I moved or afterwards? It seems to me that I need an actual physical address to submit with the IL or IA license application---but for now it would have to be a family member's---but it would be nice to HAVE the license in hand the day I move into IL or IA. Am I being too confusing, let me know. Thanks!

It is not any more difficult doing taxes when you work in several different states in one year.

If you are not physically in that state and have residence there, then you will get a license issued to you for that state only, the compact part of it will not exist. It is not just having a physical address to list, but that has to be your tax base address.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 2, 2008

I've never worked as a traveler, but have moved many times, and have had the pleasure of filing as many as 5 state income tax forms in one year. It is a colossal PIA, and I suggest obtaining expert advice on how to do it.
As for applying for out-of-state licensure, I always do so well in advance of actually moving. I list my current (out-of-state) address as my address of record, then change it with the BON once I have actually moved into the state. It's never been a problem. Are there states that won't issue a license to an out-of-state applicant?

The issue is if it is a compact state, they will not issue a license that is valid in the other compact states if that is not your legal residence before you start the application process. They will issue a license that is valid for that one state only, just like it was done pre-compact pact time.