Can you lose your license?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 17, 2008

As long as you keep it active and if any CEU's are required are done plus pay fees you should be ok. Usually loose license if not kept active or you have done something that the BON feels you need license removed

Jolie, BSN · Sep 17, 2008

Some states require proof of current practice in order to renew a license. For example, I live in NE where we must show evidence of 500 hours of practice in the last 5 years in order to renew. If a candidate lacks current practice s/he must take a review course in order to renew, or place his/her license on inactive status.

If you have a similar requirement in your state, that may be what your instructor meant.

dsanto3 · Sep 17, 2008

Thanks for responding. I'm not sure of the rules in NJ. OMG, would that mean I'd have to go through the hell of NCLEX again LOL? I'll make sure I get my hours in somehow.

Jolie, BSN · Sep 17, 2008

Thanks for responding. I'm not sure of the rules in NJ. OMG, would that mean I'd have to go through the hell of NCLEX again LOL? I'll make sure I get my hours in somehow.

Check the renewal requirements with the NJ BON. They may or may not include continuing practice. If you lack that requirement, most states allow a refresher course. I'm not aware of any state (although there may be some) that require retaking NCLEX.

Also, when renewal time comes, if you don't meet the requirements, I suggest you officially place you license on "inactive" status, rather than simply letting it lapse. That makes it easier to re-instate in the future, if you choose to do so.

jjjoy, LPN · Sep 17, 2008

Check with your state, of course, but usually...

To get inactive status, you have to register as such. During such time, you don't have to take CEUs, but you do still pay license fees. If you go "inactive" status, there are certain steps to become "active" again, such as taking a refresher course and/or certain CEUs. But, usually, you wouldn't have to take the NCLEX again unless your license lapse completely - meaning you didn't pay your license fees or send in your registration form each year/every other year.

Jolie, BSN · Sep 17, 2008

To get inactive status, you have to register as such. During such time, you don't have to take CEUs, but you do still pay license fees.

jjjoy,

Does your state require licensing fees of inactive nurses? We've moved a lot, so I have 4 inactive licenses. I've never had to pay a fee on them.

If one tries to re-instate a "lapsed" license, there are usually substantial fees involved, but not so for "inactive" ones, at least in my experience.

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2008

Can you just work casual somewhere? Even if theres not many full time or part time available...you can work casual to keep your minimum hours to work up to keep your license and still do your real estate thing. I highly doubt you would have to retake the NCLEX if you let your license lapse. Lol. You would just have to reinstate it.

jjjoy, LPN · Sep 17, 2008

In my state for RN licenses, to keep an inactive license registered with the board of nursing requires re-registering every two years and paying fees - though they may be a little less than an active license... I don't recall off-hand. But there are no CEU requirements for the inactive license like for an active license.

To reactivate, one needs to show proof of the required CEUs and pays some kind of reactivation fee (maybe even just the difference between the active and inactive license fee, but again, I don't recall specifics) but that's all.

If you let the license lapse completely, then you don't pay any fees or send in any registration. I'm not sure what it takes to reinstate a lapsed license... that may be where re-taking the boards comes in in some cases.

Jolie, BSN · Sep 18, 2008

In my state for RN licenses, to keep an inactive license registered with the board of nursing requires re-registering every two years and paying fees -

Wow! What a novel way of extracting money from the public. I've never heard of this!

dsanto3 · Sep 18, 2008

Hello,

Yes we did discuss this yesterday, but you told me every state was different, so I thought I'd post it specifically on my state forum. Sorry, wasn't trying to be a pest. I just thought maybe someone in NJ had been through this specifically and could offer a suggestion.

Thanks everyone for all the input!

Jolie, BSN · Sep 18, 2008

Sorry, I'm not trying to be harsh, just trying to point out that the maintenance of your license is critically important...too important to rely on answers from anonymous posters on a BB. People here do their best to provide accurate information, but it varies from state to state. It would be a shame to lose your license by relying on well-intended, but inaccurate information. Your State BON is the only reliable source.