compact states

I don't think there is a quick fix to your problem.

I believe that in order to have compact privileges on your license, you must live in a compact state.

Sorry - Jolie is right. If your state of residence is not a compact state then you must apply for and pay for a license in each state in which you will work. No way around it. (It's a pain - I'm up to 11 now)

I too live in Oklahoma and I think one reason it is not in the compact has to do with CEUs. We don't have a required amount here to keep our licenses current; my original home state IS in the compact and there I needed 30 hrs every 2 years Know that is not the only difference and the BON could clarify much better than I could.

You must physically reside in the said compact state.

For example, I work in Arkansas, therefore I hold an Arkansas license. I do not live in Arkansas though, I live in Missouri. Arkansas is a compact state but my license is not a compact license and is valid only in the state of Arkansas. It states it about 20 different ways on the license too. I also hold a Missouri license as well because I did work in MO up until recently.

So, if you wanna do the traveling thing, you'll have to get a license in each state you go to or move to a compact state, obtain your license there and travel only to other compact states.

Huge pain and I agree, I wish every state would get on board with this!!!!

I too live in Oklahoma and I think one reason it is not in the compact has to do with CEUs. We don't have a required amount here to keep our licenses current; my original home state IS in the compact and there I needed 30 hrs every 2 years Know that is not the only difference and the BON could clarify much better than I could.

I live in Maryland which is a compact state, but we don't require any CEUs to maintain our license. I think it's more of a money issue than anything else. I don't know how many millions of dollars a state could lose if it did not require every nurse working there pay for a license.

I agree, Katnip. Even amongst compact states, the licensing requirements vary quite a bit. Some require only CEU's, some mandate continuing practice, some insist on both. I believe there may be some compact states that don't require anything other than a fee.

I had to take a refresher course to be licensed in my new home state of Nebraska, since I lacked current practice, even though I hold a valid license in IL (not a compact state). If I had been in posession of any compact license, I could have worked here in NE (as a non-resident), despite not meeting their state licensing requirements.

That's just nuts!