Compact Licensure

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Hey Guys!

I have a question (I am awaiting a response from BON), but if any of you all know, it would be great for some pointers and tips. I have a compact RN license from BON TX, however, I am now in NC for some work. While working at 1 hospital in NC, I was never asked to change my license, however, I am at a new hospital in NC and they are asking specifically for a NC license despite my compact status (& NC is a compact state). I looked up NC license info, and by signing up for an NC license by endorsement, it will require that I relinquish Tx license (not to mention it's $200+ to request a NC license and fingerprints, etc). So I would love to avoid all of this if I can & save myself money/time. Anyone familiar with any of this who has a compact license?

Thanks for looking!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You will not have to relinquish your TX license if you obtain a NC license just as long as you continue to renew your TX license every two years.

Many people fail to understand that a compact nursing license works in the same manner as a drivers license. Legally, you can work in NC (or any other compact state) under your TX nursing license for a maximum of 30 days. Once that 30 day period has elapsed, you will need a valid NC license to continue working in NC.

If you have a drivers license issued by a particular state's department of motor vehicles, it enables you the privilege of driving in other states for a legal maximum of 30 days. Once that 30 days passes, you are legally supposed to obtain a drivers license in your new state.

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

Are you still a legal resident of TX or did you move to NC & change your address?

If you live in NC you must relinquish TX compact license to obtain a compact NC license. Just like you have to relinquish your TX drivers license and get a NC drivers license.

If you still technically live in TX, such as a travel nurse or a military family , your NLC TX license is valid in NC.

Looking like you actually moved to NC six months ago, you should have applied for a NC license once you moved within 90 days NLC FAQ

https://www.ncsbn.org/94.htm

What if I move to another compact state?

Upon permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement and complete the Declaration of Primary State of Residence for the new home state, which can be found on your board of nursing (BON)'s website. The declaration form is generally a page within the application. It is important to note that you must apply once you are a legal resident of the new state, as a compact state will not issue a license to a resident of another compact state. Notify the former compact BON that you are no longer a resident. You can practice on your former license for a period of up to 90 days. The 90-day period starts when you become a resident in the new state.

Please note: States are in the process of amending rules regarding the period of time a nurse can practice on the license issued by a former state of residence. The number of days is based on the rule in effect in the new state. Visit ncsbn.org/nlc to confirm your state's current status.

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Are you still a legal resident of TX or did you

move to NC & change your address?

If you live in NC you must relinquish TX compact license to obtain a compact NC license. Just like you have to relinquish your TX drivers license and get a NC drivers license.

If you still technically live in TX, such as a travel nurse or a military family , your NLC TX license is valid in NC.

Looking like you actually moved to NC six months ago, you should have applied for a NC license once you moved within 90 days NLC FAQ

https://www.ncsbn.org/94.htm

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it! I'm still a legal resident of TX which is why I was confused. So I guess I will have to change to NC and then reapply all over when we move back to tx? Goodness this is expensive lol

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it! I'm still a legal resident of TX which is why I was confused. So I guess I will have to change to NC and then reapply all over when we move back to tx? Goodness this is expensive lol

Not if you are a legal resident of TX you can work unlimited time on a compact license in another state. Unless you change your legal state of residence to NC, you are fine. Just like college students that go out of state say TX to Duke to NC to do an MSN program. You wouldn't need to change your DL and could work in NC with an active TX multi state license.

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This may be a matter of how "legal resident" is defined.

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

I know there are state & IRS definitions as far as where you may maintain a home, register a vehicle, have a drivers license, pay state income taxes.

Some of my neighbors moved from Florida. They were sadly disappointed at their ability to claim funds for their rental home since they failed to change their legal residence, car registration, drivers license, car insurance, etc in the 11 months in my area. They didn't want to change to save on car insurance and were sadly disappointed at the hoops they had to dive through as their "residence" and all their possessions that was affected by the flood waters was deemed a temporary/secondary home and as such negates eligibility for any assistance.

If you are living in NC, you might want to reconsider what you declare as your state of residence if you no longer have a home or other legal ties to TX. Travel nurses without a home maintained are considered itinerant.

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You will not have to relinquish your TX license if you obtain a NC license just as long as you continue to renew your TX license every two years.

This depends. NC will not issue any license if the OP lists TX as her/his legal residence. If he/she lists NC as the legal residence, then most likely NC will issue a license with multi-state privileges. If so, the TX license becomes inactive, as you can only hold one multi-state license at a time.

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