compact state

elkpark · Aug 31, 2008

There is a lot of confusion about the nurse licensure compact and "compact licenses." The easiest way to think about it is that they work exactly like drivers' licenses. You can use your VA license to drive through TX, or drive around in TX while you're vacationing there, but if you move to TX, the state gives you 30 or 60 days, or however long state law says, to get a TX driver's license.

The nursing licenses work the same way. Since both states are members of the compact, you can use your VA license to work in TX as long as you continue to live in VA, but, if you move to TX, your VA license loses its compact privileges and becomes just a "regular" VA license, only good in VA, and you have to get a TX license to work in TX.

However, the part about surrendering your VA license is new to me; in my experience (in other states), you would apply for a TX license but keep your VA license. Are you sure they said that you have to surrender your VA license, or just that it wouldn't be good in TX anymore after 30 days? If that's true, it would be highly unusual (but then, many things are different in TX ... :))

Mizzyfrufru, LPN · Aug 31, 2008

I thought that was weird too. But she told me not only would I have to surrender it,but I couldn't even apply for a Tx license until I actually moved to tx. If that's true then why even be a part of the compact. I have to live in TX and have a TX only license. wow. I'm going to call the bon again on tues. Thanks alot for your imput. I really appreciate it.

elkpark · Aug 31, 2008

Well, if it's any comfort :), your TX license should have compact privileges once you're living in TX. But I would certainly clarify further with the TX BON. You never know, when you're dealing with a BON by telephone, when you just happen to have gotten some loon on the 'phone who's giving you bad info ...

chare · Aug 31, 2008

apparently many of the compact states are doing this. i did a quick review of virginia , texas , and north carolina board of nursing web sites and found the following.

from the virginia board of nursing nurse licensure compact page:

if you are currently licensed in virginia , as well as another compact state, and the other compact state is your primary state of residence, your virginia license will not be valid after january 1, 2005.

please destroy your virginia nursing license as of january 1, 2005.

from the texas administrative code, title 22, part 11, chapter 220, rule 220.2:

(e) the former home state license shall no longer be valid upon the issuance of a new home state license.

from nurse licensure compact rules link on the north carolina board of nursing nurse licensure compact information page:

21 ncac 36 .0702 issuance of a license by a compact party state: (2) a nurse changing primary state of residence, from one party state to another party state, may continue to practice under the former home state license and multistate licensure privilege during the processing of the nurse's licensure application in the new home state for a period not to exceed 30 days.