Can you hold an active license in more than one state?

Nurses General Nursing

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Forgive me if this is a silly question. :) I've never lived in a border state before now. I live right on the edge of two different states. I'm originally licensed in Maryland and that license is active. Right now we are stationed right on the edge on NJ and PA. Can I hold an active license in all 3 states or will getting reciprocity in one cancel another? Should I job hunt first and then apply when I get an offer or a lead? I would think I should get my license or at least start the process before I look for a job but I wanted to make sure I can at least hold both the PA and the NJ license at the same time first. I looked on the NCSBN site and called their number but couldn't find the answer (or talk to a real person...argh!!). Thanks in advance if you can answer this! :yeah:

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Oh and this is for an RN license. I'm not sure if it's different between RN and LPN but thought I'd add that just in case.

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Specializes in Ortho, Psych, Med-Surg, OB/GYN.

Yes :nurse::D

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Specializes in Government.

Yes! I hold WI (compact state) and Illinois (non-compact state).

With driver's licenses, you cannot hold more than one state at a time. RN licenses are different.

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Specializes in acute dialysis, Telemetry, subacute.

Yes. I have an active RN license in both MD and DC.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Yes......!

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Thank you!!!!!!! :D

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Specializes in Emergency.

Yes and no.

Read up on compact state licensure. Iowa for example wont allow you to hold a license if you have a license in another compact state.

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I currently have an active license in CA and DC (both not compact states) and I'm about to have one in VA (a compact state). Don't you just love PCS'ing all over (would have been so much easier if the base had floor jobs open, instead of just clinic jobs)?

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Yes you can. The reciprocity requirement, ceu requirements and

fees including renewal periods may be different for each state.

riflyn, I thought the compact states only allowed residents to be eligible for

the compact in the state the person holds the license and is a resident.

For example, I have a RI license but do not live there. My license states

it is only for RI not the compact as I live in the neighboring state.

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ri is a compact state. i don't live there either, but i have a ri license. i cannot practice in other states under the compact even though i have a ri license, because it's not my primary residence; my primary license is in another state, noncompact.

but alllll the states (except iowa and maybe tennessee, i forget) are happy as heck to accept my money to get licenses in them. so i have licenses in 7 states, and a pretty penny it costs me, too.

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Grntea!

Wow, you must need your Smartphone to track all those license expirations

and CEU requirements!:nurse:

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