Getting License in one state but working in another State

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Specializes in PCA.

Hello,

I am currently taking Nursing classes for my RN in Massachusetts, I have only a year and half left. When I am finished with school I plan on moving to another state down South. If I am licensed in MA do I have to get another license for that state?

Thank You

Britt

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You need to check out the state requirements for you to be registered as a RN to be able to work. For most cases unless you meet compact requirements (permanent residence in one state and work in another state that is in the compact group) you have to have a license for the state you plan on working in. You can have numerous state licenses and can maintain them as long as you meet renewal requirements and pay fees.

Links for boards of nursing for each state can be found at the bottom of the page and look for endorsement once you get to the state website

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Specializes in E.D..

Check out this website. It details the Nurse Licensure Compact. This is an agreement between several states to allow nurses from other states to practice. Doesn't look like Massachusettes participates. However, if you took your exam in Maine, for example, you could work in numerous states on just the one license. Just a thought. https://www.ncsbn.org/158.htm

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for example, i go to school in one state (state a) which is not where im from (state b) i plan on getting licensed in state a because they suggest you take the test in the state in which you graduated from...even though it's a national exam and i doubt it really matters. once you pass the test you do not have to take it over, you just need to pay fees in the new state. i called the license office of state b where i will move back to eventually and they said it would take approx. 180$ to get a license to practice there.

you just need to check out the spec. requirements for the state you're moving to.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Check out this website. It details the Nurse Licensure Compact. This is an agreement between several states to allow nurses from other states to practice. Doesn't look like Massachusettes participates. However, if you took your exam in Maine, for example, you could work in numerous states on just the one license. Just a thought. https://www.ncsbn.org/158.htm

You still need a main residence address in Maine to be able to use the compact license in the concept you state. For example if you live in Maine, have a permanent main residence and find a job in NH as long as you maintain a permanent residence in Maine you can use the compact license. However if you sell your permanent residence in Maine and move to NH then you need to meet the new states requirements to be able to work

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You still need a main residence address in Maine to be able to use the compact license in the concept you state. For example if you live in Maine, have a permanent main residence and find a job in NH as long as you maintain a permanent residence in Maine you can use the compact license. However if you sell your permanent residence in Maine and move to NH then you need to meet the new states requirements to be able to work

Yes, this is correct. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about the NLC -- you can only use your existing "compact license" to work in another compact state as long as you maintain your permanent residence in your current state. If you move to another state, you have to apply for a new license.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, Heart Transplant.

You intuitively think that you must get licensed in the state that you went to school in but that is not true. Once you graduate from nursing school you choose which state you will practice. You do not have to apply for a license in the state that you live or attended nursing school if you live in a non-compact state or if your permanent residence is a compact state and you wish to begin your practice in a non-compact state.

If your permanent residence is a compact state and you plan on starting your career in a different compact state, you must apply for licensure in the state you live in . For instance, I live in Arizona (a compact state) and want to start my nursing career in Texas (a compact state) I would need to first apply for a license in AZ and then use my compact license to practice in TX. When I move to Texas I have 30 days to apply for a TX license. This is part of the Compact Agreement.

Hope this helps.

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