Getting licensed in new State to travel

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I'm looking to sign a 13 wk. contract to travel to Washington State. The position is to start in approx. 4 weeks. Moving from eastern U.S. for this position. :specs: I have not yet signed the contract (today) and I have not yet started my licensure with this state.

My question is - (Washington does not have a temporary license while the permanent license is being processed.) How long does it take for the permanent license to come through? How do travel nurses handle this - esp. in States that do not have the temporary licenses. What do you do about timing issues of starting the new job and getting a license for a new State.

Thanks much!

Anne

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, ACU-Telemetry.
I'm looking to sign a 13 wk. contract to travel to Washington State. The position is to start in approx. 4 weeks. Moving from eastern U.S. for this position. :specs: I have not yet signed the contract (today) and I have not yet started my licensure with this state.

My question is - (Washington does not have a temporary license while the permanent license is being processed.) How long does it take for the permanent license to come through? How do travel nurses handle this - esp. in States that do not have the temporary licenses. What do you do about timing issues of starting the new job and getting a license for a new State.

Thanks much!

Anne

irst of all, where do you live? If you happen to be fortunate enough to live in one of the 'compact licensing' states, then your lucky. Some states are 'walk-thru' states, meaning all you have to do is walk-thru, apply for a temp license and then your set. But if you plan on traveling, it would be a good idea to look further into this. Check with the Washington Board of Nursing. They would be able to tell you what the process is, and how long it will take. I live in Ohio, and I had to apply for a 'temp' license in Texas. I got it within one week. My 'temp' license here in Texas expires 4/9, so before my contract ends (3/15), I plan on getting my permanent license. I am not one of the fortunate ones who live in a compact license state. Hope this helps.

Kathy

:typing:bugeyes::redpinkhe

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Specializes in Emergency.

My best advice is to have AT LEAST your temp license in hand before you head off to the assignment. Best of luck to you in Washington!!

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Last that I heard was Washington was taking about a month to issue an endorsed license. Best bet is to check directly with them as to time.

And for others that are reading here, always know the status of what is done in the state where you plan to travel to, not all issue a temporary license and you could be waiting for sometime to get the permanent license.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU.

I am a little naive when it comes to all of this, so excuse my lack of knowledge. I am a nurse in California (not a compact state) and I am thinking of travel nursing. IF I obtain a license in a compact state, would I be covered for ALL compact states?

Thanks in advance for info

Sunny 66

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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

If you get a license in a compact state, that license is only a "multi-state" license if you are a legal resident of that state. In your case, since you are a CA resident, if you got a compact state license, it would only be a "single-state" license, and would not be good in other compact states. Also, if you are planning on going to WA, that is not a compact state, so you must get a WA license. I have also heard that a WA license takes about a month, and you must have your license in hand before you can start your assignment. If your assignment starts in 4 weeks, you're taking a BIG risk. If you get to WA and haven't gotten your license by the time you are supposed to start work, the hospital can cancel your contract- leaving you stuck far from home with no job.......

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Try calling the board directly. If you are with an agency they would know best and can put calls into the board to process your application more quickly. Im in the same boat right now with Maryland, and my recruiters were more than helpful and got me a license in a week, where it normally takes 4-6 weeks. Also remember travel companies reimurse 100% for the costs. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Tele, ICU.

I am several months away from jumping on the travel band-wagon, so I think I have plenty of time to iron out licenses, especially if the agency reimburses. I was really interested in how the compact licensure works. Went to school in CO and thinking of moving back there anyway, so I'll keep the compact thing in mind.

Hard to leave the $$ and ratios of CA, but I'm a gypsy and think I'll enjoy travelling for awhile. I've only been a nurse for just under 2 years and want to be confident about my critical care skills before I hit the road.

I love this site and the forums - soooooo helpful

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