Is it worth it to maintain RN license in more than 1 state?

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

Hi everyone,

I'm moving from Michigan to New York for grad school, and I just got my New York nursing license, which of course I will need to maintain until I leave New York. However, when my Michigan license expires in the middle of my program, does it make sense for me to renew it, especially since I don't know if I will move back to Michigan after graduation?

It seems like it's pretty doable to get a license in a new state or reactivate an expired license as long as you have an active license in at least one state already, so I can't think of a reason to keep my Michigan license active, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything. (Also, in case this matters, I have expired California, Oregon, and Washington RN licenses from when I lived out west).

Thanks so much for any wisdom you can share!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

If it's not that expensive, I'd go ahead and renew it once. By the time the new time expires, you'll probably have a good idea if you're going back or not. That way you'll save yourself from any possible headaches from bureaucratic snafus related to reactivating (if you decide to return home).

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

That is not a bad idea @Jedrnurse! Thank you! It's under $100 I'm pretty sure.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Mr. Ruby Jane (also a nurse) retains his original state licensure because his home state is not a compact state. So - do some research. If you're moving from a compact state to a non-compact state and never, ever intend to practice there again...eh. But if you do, just in case, we've found that it's $75 every other year for peace of mind.

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

Neither state is a compact state unfortunately! I think you're right that the peace of mind is probably worth it. Thanks @ruby_jane!