Different state licenses

[lilcampy310]

I am looking into travel nursing-

I get the feeling it's necessary to already have your state licenses in order to apply to a particular job? It's so tedious and expensive to apply to all the different state licenses. I currently have NJ and applied for MD (waiting almost a month now for my license number). Is this correct? Any suggestions?

[elkpark]

If you live in a "compact state" (state that has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact), you can use your "compact license" to practice in any other compact state, as long as you maintain your permanent residence in your home state. Other than that, yeah, you need to have a separate license for any state you want to work in.

[napalmer927]

I don't think there are many states left that have fast licensing. In many states (even ones where it only takes 1-2 weeks to get the license), a facility won't talk to you as a traveler unless you already have the license. In 2011 I got my DC license in about 3 days, but I think it might take longer now. I've heard that the MN license is quick, and they pay a lot there, but it's only good for one year instead of two. My best advice is to find a family member or good friend in a compact state (https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm), use their address, and apply for that state's license. I use my cousin's address in VA, but this also means that VA is my "tax home" and I have to file taxes there. So it does get a little complicated, but I think it's worth it.