Compact license in Colorado (endorsement)

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Hi everyone!

I currently hold an RN and a nurse practitioner license in Arkansas (compact state). I am considering relocation to Denver. Colorado is one of the compact states, which makes it easier. However, I understood that my AR license will be good for 30 days only once in Colorado.

I do have to apply for Colorado license by endorsement. I am somewhat confused, because the state board of nursing suggests applying ahead of time, ahead of the actual relocation, because it takes about 1-2 months to process the application and to issue the license. On the other hand, the application for license by endorsement asks about the state of primary residence and if it is not Colorado, the application will not be reviewed. So how can I apply ahead of my actual move if I am not the resident of Colorado?

I would love to have Colorado license and possibly even a job, before I move to Denver.

Any help and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I don't know if it's different for NPs, but when I went from AZ to CO, I waited until I had a permanent address in CO. You really cannot apply ahead of time unless you already have a CO address before you move.

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I no when I got my RN endorsed from FL to CO I just used Fl as my address and I got my license in like 2 weeks

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If it were not a compact-state-to-compact-state move, it would make sense to apply well in advance of your move, because you would want to have (CO) license in hand ASAP to start working. However, the compact rules require that you can only have one "compact license" at a time, in your "home" state, and you can't get a compact license in a new state until you live there. That's why the compact rules specify that you can work for 30 days in your new state on your "old" license -- that's to give the "new" BON time to process your license application. I would not apply for the CO license until I had a permanent address in CO (but I would do it ASAP after that!)

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Thank you everyone!

So since I am able to work at least for the first 30 days, should I go ahead and start applying for jobs prior to my move? I am just scared to move and not to have a job for a while. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Thank you everyone!

So since I am able to work at least for the first 30 days, should I go ahead and start applying for jobs prior to my move? I am just scared to move and not to have a job for a while. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Yes, absolutely. When I made the move I started looking about 2 months before the move. I moved with one fulltime job secured and a PRN position 90% secured.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

What type of nursing do you do? I know my husband's company is hiring (hospice).

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here is a link to better understand single license and multistate license. this might help :)

https://www.ncsbn.org/2011_NLCA_factsheet_students_Rev_Jan_2011.pdf

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