Compact licensure

[Sbrokman]

Hello. If I am licensed in Mississippi, but I want to work in Texas for a short while. Do I have to pay for endorsement. They are both compact states. and I don't plan on moving here. I have a job, can't I work?

[elkpark]

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons:

Since both are members of the NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact), as long as you maintain your permanent residence in Mississippi, you can use your Mississippi license to work in Texas for as long as you want, for the rest of your career if you want. If you were to move to Texas, and no longer have a permanent residence in Mississippi, you would then need to apply for Texas licensure.

[Sbrokman]

Hi. Thanks for responding Elk Park. I thought that's how that went, but that are telling me that I may have to apply for endorsement. I already have the job, I started orientation today, and they are telling me that I may not be able to work.

[elkpark]

Is this an organization that maybe doesn't have much experience with the compact and nurses from other states? I worked for several years in another state on my home compact state license (I lived near the border of two compact states, and worked in my "neighbor" state). No one even questioned, when I applied for the job in the other state, that I was licensed in my home state and not in the other state. You may want to ask your new employer to verify with the Texas BON that you are functioning within the NLC rules.

I suppose it's conceivable that an employer can choose to have more stringent requirements than the BON, and they might insist that employees have a Texas license, rather than working on your Mississippi license. Same as (although this is a bad example :)) a BON may license someone with a criminal background, but that doesn't mean any employer is required to hire that individual. I've never heard of anyone refusing to hire someone because they had a compact license from another state, but not a license in the employer's state, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen.

Besides, even if you wanted to apply for a Texas license, the NLC rules specify that you can only hold one "compact license" at a time, and it must be in your "home" state (state of your permanent residence). As long as you are maintaining a permanent residence in Mississippi, you're not eligible for Texas licensure; your license application would be rejected. Does your new employer understand that?

I'm guessing this is coming from someone who doesn't understand the NLC rules, and it can be sorted out fairly easily. I hope so, for your sake! :) Best wishes!

[Sbrokman]

Thanks again Elk Park. That's my interpretation too. I'll see in a few minutes What the verdict is? I'll certainly keep you updated. Have a blessed day!

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

What did you find out?

[Sbrokman]

Hello. They didn't say anything else. So I'm assuming our assumptions we're right. Thanks for asking. Thanks again Elk Park!