Concurrent licence from two different states

Cattitude · Mar 19, 2007

Tried to search the answer to this question on allnurses but didnt really get the definitive answer I wanted to hear/see. I think I already know the answer to it but just want to hear some expert knowledge to reassure myself.
1) As a nurse, are we allowed to hold MORE than 1 licence at any given time? (for example, be licenced in Virginia and DC at the same time).
2) If so, am I allowed to work in both states at the same time? That is, working full-time in a DC hospital under my DC licence while working part-time in a LTC in Virginia under my VA licence?
Probably is a stupid question but I have to know for sure since this will determine where I will end up working. BTW, dont know if this matter or not, I'll graduate in May 07.

Yes you can hold more than 1 license at a time. In fact many travel nurses hold several, they have to. I have a friend that holds a NY and a CT license and also works in both states. It's done all the time.

morte, LPN, LVN · Mar 19, 2007

yup, no problem,,,,have lic in two states myself and work in both....had a third at one time but let it lapse, didnt need anymore

TNNurse92 · Mar 19, 2007

Yes you can. Just remember that scope of practice varies a little state to state and you have to practice within the scope of practice of the state you are working in.

A

kangaroo621 · Mar 19, 2007

Does this apply to NP's as well as RN's?

Can an NP have multiple state licenses concurrently?

Thanks,

Aussie

Nursing4Sure · Mar 19, 2007

Thank you all for your insightful replies.

This just made my decision a little bit easier;)

TazziRN, RN · Mar 19, 2007

I have a coworker who flies back and forth between here and South Dakota and works in both, a week or so at a time.

Shamira Aizza · Mar 19, 2007

I hold five nursing licenses, and you can work in as many states as you hold a license. Sometimes you can even work temporarily in another state without holding their license as long as you notify the board of nursing (i.e. many RN's worked for months in Louisiana without a LA license as long as they held a license somewhere).

woody436 · Mar 20, 2007

Don't forget, you're going to have to pay the annual renewal fee for each of those licenses...could get expensive if you have more than 2...

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2007

except for the compact states.

if you live in a compact state, then you can only have one license for all of the compact states -- the state you live in.

i used to have licenses in 3 states. now, however, all three states are compact. when my home state became a compact state, it caused my other two licenses to be void. my license in my home state gives me privlidges to work in all compact states. i only need to get a new license if i move out of state (or want to work in a non-compact state).

sometimes compact licenses are called "multi-state" licenses.