Compact Licenses

Tad16 · Dec 20, 2006

I'm sorry, I may have missed previous discussions on this Compact license pact topic. So may I ask what are the binding conditions for foreign resident nurses who got the US license let's say upto how many years max are we allowed not being able to do actual practice in US soil? Building up a clinical experience for 2 yrs minimum then processing the whole employmen-immigrtion process 1-2 yrs. If this time frame will be followed that'll sum up to 3-4 yrs before actually geting to the US. will it not affect the status of my US license? will there be no CME's required, seminar updates etc. I'm trying to get information thru the board I applied in. Passing the exam sure wasn't a breeze and actually acquiring the license may be a relief but it doesn't stop there does it? I got mine just recently and yet already have to pay for the renewal within 3 mos! Whew! Are US licenses that quick to expire? Hope you won't mind the lengthy story con query. God bless! thanks in advance if you would decide to respond.

suzanne4, RN · Dec 20, 2006

Compact license has nothing to do with what you are talking about. The Compact License Pact is among multiple states so that nurses thatlive on the borders did not have to get a license in multiple states or for travel nurses.

Noe for your problem. There is no requirement to work in the US that you must have two years of experience in your home country, that may be an agency telling you that, but that is not true.

All that you need is to pass the NCLEX and have a Visa Screen Certificate and you can work, once you get thru the immigration process.

Nursing licenses are usually good for two years in the US in most states, and some are four years such as Arizona. The issue is that you are a new licensee and some states, such as Vermont only give the license for a certain number of months for a foreign nurse, then you must provide a SSN# before they will renew your license.

As soon as you have passed the NCLEX exam, the immigration process can be started for you. No need to wait, you just need to have the VSC in hand when you go for your interview at the US Embassy, the final step.

Hope that this clears up things for you.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2007

a student was asking about the nurse licensure compact agreement in the united states for a report she had to do for school over on the nursing student assistance forum. i just happened to notice this thread this morning while searching for something else, so i thought i would post the information i found about this for anyone who was interested:

https://www.ncsbn.org/nurselicensurecompactfaq.pdf - frequently asked questions regarding the national council of state boards of nursing nurse licensure compact from the nurse licensure compact administrators.

http://www.nh.gov/nursing/licensure/nurselicensurecompact.htm - this site from the new hampshire board of nursing lists the u.s. states that are currently participating in the compact as well as explains what the nurse licensure compact is.

sherry-New RN · Jan 2, 2008

Unless you are a legal resident of the US, and actually living in a state covered by the Compact License Pact, when you apply for licensure, you will not be covered under this.
Which means that if you are out of the US when you apply for licensure in the US, you are not covered by this agreement among certain states.
You must have a legal residence in the US for it to be available to you, meaning that you have an apt or a home in a state and wish to keep that and work in a second state...........and pay taxes and either rent and/or mortgage for two different places. This is the only way that it will work.
It was designed for nurses that live in one state and want to work in another that may be very close by, or for travel nurses that wish to do assignments in different states but not have to go thru the licensing process each time.
If you are a foreign nurse, you will need to endorse to any other state that you wish to get a license in. And this is after you actually hold a license for a state in the US.
(Hope that this helps clear up any false impressions that you may have heard of or had.)

Hi Suanne4,

I received my initial RN Licence from CA BON. Then i licenced in kansas & missouri through endorsement. Since my husband is working at kansas, i plan to start my career in kansas state itself. But we may move california in future. So i would like to keep my CA RN licence active. What shall i do to keep my licence active when i didn't work in CA. or just leave it & renew when it's due. Please give some ideas.

Thanks

Sherry.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 2, 2008

Just renew it when it is due, there is nothing more than that to be done any differently, and this goes for all states.

As long as you pay the fee and have completed the required continuing ed hours, then there is nothing else to do.

iowaERnurse · Apr 18, 2008

I'll just give the facts.

Lived and graduated from RN school in IL. but licensed in IOWA FIRST. Was told that compact did not apply because I lived in IL. Correct? So I moved to Iowa and asked for new card due to Iowa residence. I'm told that my licence NOW is compact (should it say compact on it?) I will be doing travel nursing soon but I may need to change address to IL for homeschool reasons. I have an IL license also. If I change address back to IL will I loose my compact status?

elkpark · Apr 18, 2008

If you move back to IL, you'll lose your compact privileges (you'll still have your Iowa license, but it will no longer carry compact privileges, it will only be good in Iowa).

madu · Jun 29, 2008

Hi

Dear Suzanne or any one please help me,

I am a foriegn gaduated RN and I have active Iowa license. I have recently moved to AZ. Currently I do not work here because I am on H4 visa. Do I need to go through endosement process and obtain AZ license now.or can I work with my Iowa license with compact privilage?(if I get change my visa status to green card in the future).

Another thing is that can I change my address in Iowa license to a AZ address? because currently I live in AZ not in Iowa.

I am little confused about compact license.

Thank you very much.

Madu

elkpark · Jun 29, 2008

If you have moved from Iowa to Arizona, you need to notify the Iowa BON of your change of address and your license no longer has compact privileges. You will need to apply for an AZ license through endorsement.

madu · Jul 2, 2008

Dear Elkpark,

Thank you very much for the quick response.I have some other questions Please help me out.When I apply for AZ license by endorsment, What will be the status of my Iowa license? Is it active or get inactive?

Could I be able to keep my Iowa license active with a AZ address?

Thank you.

Madu.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 2, 2008

Your Iowa license will remain valid but for use in that state only, the Compact Pact will no longer exist.

However, since you will be moving your legal domicile to AZ, they are part of the Compact License Group, so you will get that once again; but from AZ as that will be your new residence.

Hope that this helps.