Can you have multi-licenses in two states?

kids · Jun 17, 2011

The short answer is yes (I hold active licenses in 5 States including OR).

Be warned, the job market in OR is just as bad if not worse than other States, has a very high unemployment rate, especially in the Portland metro area.

RNChristy · Jun 17, 2011

Yes, you can hold a license in multiple states. Your state is also a compact state so you would be able to work in other compact states as well. You can find that info at

https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm

Christy, RN

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 17, 2011

Is OR a compact state? If it is, then no, you cannot hold a compact license in more than one state. You have to declare a "home state" when you have a compact license.

ETA: OR is not a compact state. Therefore, you can hold an RN license in AZ with multi-state privileges (for other compact states), as well as a separate license for OR.

golflinda2214 · Jun 17, 2011

I do, in Illinois and in Wisconsin. Some states all you do is write to the Dept. of Licensing and send in the money. Hang on to you old state though. You can go "inactive" while you decide where to put down roots.

cisa04 · Jun 17, 2011

Thanks!!

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2011

I don't know if Oregon is a compact state; I would tend to say no simply because there requirements are stringent as opposed to other states. When I got my OR RN license it took 6 months and it was extremely strict. So apply now because they require mucho stuff.

elkpark · Jun 17, 2011

ETA: OR is not a compact state. Therefore, you can hold an RN license in AZ with multi-state privileges (for other compact states), as well as a separate license for OR.

Just to clarify -- the OP's AZ license will only have "compact privileges" (multi-state privileges) as long as s/he maintains a permanent residence in AZ. When the OP moves to OR, unless s/he continues to maintain a permanent home in AZ, her/his AZ license will still be active/valid, but it will automatically lose its compact privileges and become just a traditional, "regular" license that is good only in AZ and not recognized by other compact states.

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 17, 2011

Thanks for that clarification!

chybabe · Jun 18, 2011

You can own an AZ RN license as a multi-state license but once you relocate to a non-compact state or even a compact state and change your address, your license automatically changes to a single state license because you are declaring the state a "home state". I know that because i have AZ license as well as GA and my AZ license changed back to a single-state license once i relocated to GA.

Is OR a compact state? If it is, then no, you cannot hold a compact license in more than one state. You have to declare a "home state" when you have a compact license.
ETA: OR is not a compact state. Therefore, you can hold an RN license in AZ with multi-state privileges (for other compact states), as well as a separate license for OR.

DinatravelerRN · Jun 18, 2011

I have my CA license and a compact license......I say during the summer months leave Arizona when the job market goes down the drain and go to CA, one of my travel buddies does that.....I think the market in CA is always HOT, I just took an assignment in Fresno for 16 weeks I will be taking home over $2400 per week! If you need any help with the license process let me know I work for a great company (Flexcare) who has helped me every step of the way!! Good Luck!! :nurse:

cisa04 · Jun 21, 2011

Thank you!!!