Changing Nursing License to Different State

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I have never posted here, but I read it all the time. Everyone gives great advice, so hopefully you can help me. I am moving in the next two months to a different state. I have my nursing licence in Illinois and have done several internet searches trying to discover how I would go about changing my license to a different state. The nearest I can figure is that I need to apply in the state I am moving, but I don't know how to do it so I won't have a nursing license in two states. Any ideas? :idea:

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Specializes in Nurses who are mentally sicked.

I think you may download the info from the web site of the state you want to work...if I am not wrong, it is under the Dept of Ed. or Professional Licensing.

I might be wrong...anyhow, I hope someone out there will know the answer.

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Specializes in ICU.

If you apply for license by endorsement to another state, your current state license will be valid until the expiration date...so you will end up with two licenses for awhile. When the time comes, you do not have to renew the original license if you are no longer working in that state.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

You will have 2 licenses for a time, but there is nothing wrong with that.

You will need to apply to the new state for licensure by endorsement. You will have to have IL forward your licensing information to the new state, for which you will be charged a fee. You will also need to provide IDPR with your new address, once you have moved.

If IL is your state of original licensure, I would encourage you to consider keeping that license active. Any time you move, you will need to go back to your state of original licensure to have information forwarded to the new state. In IL, these requests are processed more rapidly for current licensees than for those with inactive or lapsed licenses.

If you choose to make your license inactive, you would do so when it is due for renewal. Failure to renew a license or formally place it on inactive status will result in a "lapsed" license. If you ever wish to re-activate a lapsed license, there is usually a hefty financial penalty involved, so it is best to formally place your license on inactive status if you don't wish to maintain it.

Lastly, and please don't flame me for this- IL is one of the easiest states in which to maintain a license. The bi-yearly fee is cheap ($80 if I remember correctly), and no ceu's or current practice are required. If you ever plan to work in a military or federal healthcare institution, you can do so with an active license from ANY state in the US, so in that regard, IL is a good state to be licensed in.

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IL is one of the easiest states in which to maintain a license. The bi-yearly fee is cheap ($80 if I remember correctly), and no ceu's or current practice are required.

Whaaat??????? NO FAIR!!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Lastly, and please don't flame me for this- IL is one of the easiest states in which to maintain a license. The bi-yearly fee is cheap ($80 if I remember correctly), and no ceu's or current practice are required. If you ever plan to work in a military or federal healthcare institution, you can do so with an active license from ANY state in the US, so in that regard, IL is a good state to be licensed in.

I think WI has IL beat as far as ease of maintaining a license...I believe the bi-yearly fee is $68 and no ceu's or current practice required. We are also a compact state, so that is a bonus!

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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

I'd say keep current on ALL your licenses- you can have 1,2, or 10- it really doesn't matter but that way you don't have to apply all over again if you ever decide to go back to your "home state." I'm a traveler, and I've got licenses in 3 different states, with my original WI license being a compact license.

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Specializes in Only the O.R. and proud of it!.

If my memeory is not failing me -

Currently IL does not require CEU's, but will in the near future (2010 renewals??)

IL has NO CHARGE to place your licence in an inactive state. You cannot practice nursing in IL when you do this, but you'll pay no more than the normal renewal fee to re-activate and be able to practice again. No need to do this until your license is due for renewel.

Some states use a Department of Professional Regulation for nursing license IL does), some use a Board of Nursing, some use otehrs... Check into the state that you are moving to.

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In the State of Illinois it s now required to have 20 continuing ed hours/credits in order to renew. I just renewed for May 2012 and it is a requirement now as verified by the Dept. of ed. Does anyone know if the RN license is an automatically changed to another State or if any testing is involved in order to move? I feel trapped because of the State I reveived my license and not sure how to go about any kind of move. Any advice is welcomed. Thank you....

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