Compact States: 1 is enough?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello again,

I was wondering if I apply for a license in a compact state, is it true that I don't have to apply to any of the other states that are included? I want to save money and maybe some states' license fees are cheaper than the others. Arizona charges 200, but now someone said they werent new grad friendly so i may be looking somewhere else....

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab,Med/Surg, OB/GYN, Ortho, Neuro.

Not sure about the other states, I'm only speaking for Texas as this is what I encountered. When I moved to Texas and applied for reciprocity, I was given a regular license because I was not considered a resident of Texas nor did I come from a compact state (requirement to receive a compact license). After I renewed my license, then it showed that my license was a compact one.

Best thing is to check the state BONs and see what they say.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Even the compact site says to think of it like a drivers license. You get licensed in the state in which you live. If that state is a compact state, you can work in any of the 19 states (last time I checked it was 19) that are compact states. Also like a drivers license, you're subject to the Nurse practice act for the state(s) in which you work.

I moved from TX to Maine, both compact states. TX gave me 60 days to get a Maine license, because you can hold a license in only one compact state at a time, the state in which you reside. I could work next door in New Hampshire on my Maine icense because New Hampshire is also a compact state. Massachusetts is NOT a compact state, so if I wanted to work there, I'd have to get a Masachusetts license in addition to my Maine license.

Any questions, go to https://www.ncsbn.org/158.htm or just do a search on "nursing compact states" to go to the NLN site and map.

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Im licensed in Pa, Fl and Sc. Sc being part of the compact but my license also only says for the state of Sc. I was told once I apply for my renewal it will be a compact. Not sure though.

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

You can only get compact for the state you are a resident...if that state is a compact state....then you can work in the other compact states until you change residency again. Compact states work best if two states are next to each other, and are great for travel nurses. You can work in any of the 19 or so just do not change residency and it stays the same. BON can explain better. I have compact in TN and also regular license in FL, and my my residence is in TN.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Compact state license is only as good as long as you maintain a residence in that state. As mentioned before it is like a driving license and once you become a permanent resident in the state you have to meet their requirements

example

Your permanent resident address is in NM and you live near the border and you get a job in AZ and plan to commute from home to work then you can use the compact license.

If you live in NM and maintain permanent residence in NM and have a job in KY but it is short term and you have no plans to give up permanent residence in NM you can use the compact license.

If you leave NM and your permanent residence and move to KY and that becomes your permanent residency then you need to get a KY license and meet their requirements via endorsement

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