Can Someone Explain The Nurse Licensure Compact To Me?

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I currently live in NY and have a New York license but since I am a new grad I can't find a job. I am willing to relocate to Texas, Virginia, North Carolina and other states that are non-compact (FL, PA, MA). So if I apply and pay for the $200 fee to get a Texas license endorsed, am I automatically covered in the other "compact states"? Or do I have to apply separately to each state and pay each fee (I obviously don't have a job and $200 for each state is very expensive for me, I'm broke). I want to expand my job search and my chances of getting hired as a newbie that is why I am applying all over the US. So What's the deal with the "compact"? How does it work? And how much will I have to pay? Thanks

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Okay so I am going to try to give you the easy explanation.. I live and work in Arizona which is a compact state. What this means to me is lets say I took a nursing job in texas another compact state. I can keep my Arizona license and work in texas as long as I keep My Arizona address as my permanent address. Now lets say I want to permanently move to texas, Well then I can work under my Arizona license for 30 days only. My advice to you. If you are looking at other states. Get a job offer first and then apply for a license in that state. If a company really wants you they will wait the time it takes for you to endorse in from another state.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Compact license only exists if you are a permanent, legal resident of a compact state. If you keep NY as your permanent residence then you will only be issued a single state license in states like VA and AZ. If your permanent legal residence is a compact state like VA you will not be issued a license in another compact state like MD or TX (nor would you need to) until you change your permanent residence but you will be able to work in other compact states on your VA compact license

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what RNandlovingit said; plus, it is really nice if you live on a state line and the facility is on the opposite side of the state line than where you live. The compact license prevents you from having to get two licenses in order to go to work.

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Okay so I am going to try to give you the easy explanation.. I live and work in Arizona which is a compact state. What this means to me is lets say I took a nursing job in texas another compact state. I can keep my Arizona license and work in texas as long as I keep My Arizona address as my permanent address. Now lets say I want to permanently move to texas Well then I can work under my Arizona license for 30 days only. My advice to you. If you are looking at other states. Get a job offer first and then apply for a license in that state. If a company really wants you they will wait the time it takes for you to endorse in from another state.[/quote']

What you are saying is that I should apply to any state with my NY license then if I get hired in lets say NC I will get a license there? My issue is what if they do not even look at my application because it is a NY license? All applications require the state licensure for that state...will they even consider me or at least understand my situation?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
What you are saying is that I should apply to any state with my NY license then if I get hired in lets say NC I will get a license there? My issue is what if they do not even look at my application because it is a NY license? All applications require the state licensure for that state...will they even consider me or at least understand my situation?

You could indicate in your cover letter that you are planning to/willing to/in the process of (choose the applicable one) endorsing your licensure to that state. It may not guarantee that they'll consider your application but at least they'd know that you would get/are getting that state's license.

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