Can I work in other state with my Nebraska LPN license

sweetlady10 · Oct 5, 2009

Please, someone could help me with my question! I am waiting for reply, please help me out guys!

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Oct 5, 2009

You'll need to be licensed by the state in which you practice. Contact the BON in the state in which you intend to practice to find out the particulars.

sweetlady10 · Oct 6, 2009

You'll need to be licensed by the state in which you practice.

thanks for the kind reply.. i have few more questions:

1. so if i need to apply for license does that mean i will have to appear the LPN licensure exam again in that other state like I did when i got the Nebraska license?

2. so what about the "compact state" thing then? i saw NE and TX both are under compact state, then I shouldnt be required to apply for TX license if I have a NE license and should be able to work and live in TX with a NE license, right?

please clarify my doubts..

thx.

sasyone · Oct 6, 2009

I am on my friend's screen name again and worked for a state licensing board. You really need to contact the particular board you are interested in. Not slighting message boards as they are great help in deciding what to do and get help but if you are moving to another state, you NEED to contact that Board. I can't tell you how many times people came in bawling because they were told by a staffing agency or their friend that our state was a walk through state which we aren't (LVN). Now since they couldn't get their license right away, they would be homeless, I was going to starve them, etc. All Boards have websites where you can get the information regarding endorsement or compact state info.

Normally if endorsement is granted, you do not have to retake the test. Happy travels!

elkpark · Oct 6, 2009

There is a lot of confusion about the NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact) and how "compact licenses" work. You can use your home "compact state" license to work in another compact state (the most common situation is people who live close to state borders -- they live in one state, but work in the other; it's also v. popular with traveling nurses), but if you move to another state, you have to apply for licensure in the new state.

The easiest way to think about this is that it works exactly the same as your driver's license. The only reason we're able to drive cross-country without having to stop at each state border and apply for a new license is because, many decades ago, all fifty states got together and signed a compact agreeing to recognize each other's driver's licenses for temporary purposes. We all understand that you can drive in another state, or all over the US, as far or as long as you want on your current license in your home state -- but if you move to another state, you have 30 days, or whatever the state law says, to apply for a driver's license in your new home state.

The NLC works exactly the same way (except that many states have chosen not to join the compact, so it doesn't apply in all 50 states). If you live in a compact state, you can use your current license to work in other compact states as long as you maintain your permanent residence (home) in your current state. If you move to another state, you have to apply for a license in your new home state. Yes, NE and TX are both "compact states" (members of the NLC), and you could use your NE license to work in TX if you still live in NE -- but, if you're moving to TX, then you'll have to apply for a TX license.

You should not have to retake the NCLEX. Check the TX BON website -- you are looking for the information and forms for application for licensure "by endorsement." All the info you need should be there. Best wishes!

taRaNeika_88 · Oct 9, 2009

One thing you can do is ask your teacher will you have a multi-state License. If you don't you can finish school and instead of taking your test in Nebraska you can take it in Texas or where you will be moving then your license will be for that state. There is a website that tells you what states you can work in with your license. I don't know it right off the back but I will post it as soon as I get it. Good Luck

elkpark · Oct 9, 2009

One thing you can do is ask your teacher will you have a multi-state License. If you don't you can finish school and instead of taking your test in Nebraska you can take it in Texas or where you will be moving then your license will be for that state. There is a website that tells you what states you can work in with your license. I don't know it right off the back but I will post it as soon as I get it. Good Luck

Having a Nebraska compact ("multi-state") license won't matter if the OP is moving to Texas or Missouri. S/he will still have to apply for licensure in the new state (see my earlier post above).

Also, you don't have to take the NCLEX, physically, in the state to which you're applying for licensure. If the OP knows for sure that s/he is moving to TX (or MO), s/he can apply for initial licensure ("by examination") in TX (or MO), and skip NE licensure entirely -- but still take the NCLEX in NE. You can take the NCLEX wherever it's convenient for you, and the results will be sent to the state to which you've applied for licensure.

Ginny Weasley · Oct 13, 2009

Yes you can! All you have to do is contact the state board of nursing for the state that you are moving to and they'll help you from there.