Compact Licensure

Nurses New Nurse

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Pediatrics.
Compact Licensure

I am a new graduate nurse that resides in a compact state. I just accepted a job in Florida, also a compact state. Am I required to get a compact license, or can I just get a single state license for Florida. I am worried the compact license process will take longer & won't be approved in time for me to work. Any insight is appreciated! Thank you ?

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Specializes in NICU.

As long as you keep a residence in a compact state and hold a compact license in that state, you can work in any other compact state. Compact licenses are designed for travel nurses and nurses that live on the border of two compact states. It allows you to live in one state and work across the border in another compact state.

If you permanently move to Florida and do not keep your residence in your home state, you will need to get a Florida license. If you do not have a compact license in your home state, you can not work in Florida. Just living in a compact state (holding a single state license) does not allow you to work in another compact state.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

So can I just apply to get a single state License in Florida? I am not planning on getting a compact license in my home state because I am going to be in Florida for a while.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
NICU Guy said:

As long as you keep a residence in a compact state and hold a compact license in that state, you can work in any other compact state. Compact licenses are designed for travel nurses and nurses that live on the border of two compact states. It allows you to live in one state and work across the border in another compact state.

If you permanently move to Florida and do not keep your residence in your home state, you will need to get a Florida license. If you do not have a compact license in your home state, you can not work in Florida. Just living in a compact state (holding a single state license) does not allow you to work in another compact state.

So can I just apply to get a single state License in Florida? I am not planning on getting a compact license in my home state because I am going to be in Florida for a while.

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Specializes in NICU.

If you plan on permanently moving to Florida, meaning have no other residence in another state and change your driver's license to Florida, then apply for a Florida license. You will need to contact the Florida BON if you are currently living in a compact state and applying for a Florida license before establishing residency in Florida.

I live in Indiana and work in Kentucky. Several years ago Indiana went compact. Kentucky (compact state) would not allow me to renew my single state Kentucky license. I had to apply for an Indiana compact license to continue to work in Kentucky.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
NICU Guy said:

If you plan on permanently moving to Florida, meaning have no other residence in another state and change your driver's license to Florida, then apply for a Florida license. You will need to contact the Florida BON if you are currently living in a compact state and applying for a Florida license before establishing residency in Florida.

I live in Indiana and work in Kentucky. Several years ago Indiana went compact. Kentucky (compact state) would not allow me to renew my single state Kentucky license. I had to apply for an Indiana compact license to continue to work in Kentucky.

I guess each state is different? I called the Florida Board of Nursing and they said I am allowed to apply for a single state (even being from a compact state). Additionally, it let me apply for a singe state license through the Florida Board of Nursing today. Now I want to call to make sure again because I'm nervous 

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Do you have a New Jersey RN license?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
Epidural said:

Do you have a New Jersey RN license?

No I do not ! I'm a new grad 

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Have you taken the NCLEX yet? If not-

From the NCSBN Website:

Can I take the NCLEX at a test center outside of my desired jurisdiction of licensure/registration?

You are able to take the NCLEX at any Pearson Professional Testing location, regardless of where you are applying for licensure/registration.

 

So, you can take the test in New Jersey and indicate that you want a Florida license. Perhaps this is what you are doing. Whenever I applied for a new RN license I always got a temporary license that I used until my permanent license arrived. Getting a temporary license is usually a fairly quick process.

Good Luck to you!

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