Letting a license lapse

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My original license is for Ga, but a few years ago, I got an Alabama license because my job at that time required it. I renewed it two years ago, but will likely never practice in Alabama. The renewal for both states is coming up. What happens if I don't renew the Alabama one? Does it just "lapse", and if so, are their consequences to that if I don't want to practice there? Their site lists two options, either renew or retire.

Thanks :)

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

No real consequences what so ever. What you would need to do should you ever choose t reactivate that license varies from state to state.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Neither are compact states so....you're sure you never want to practice there? The only reason I ask is that Mr. Ruby Jane (also a nurse) retains his original license in a non-compact state even though we're in Texas (second license here). Because you never know.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Neither are compact states so....you're sure you never want to practice there? The only reason I ask is that Mr. Ruby Jane (also a nurse) retains his original license in a non-compact state even though we're in Texas (second license here). Because you never know.

If OP wants to practice in Alabama again, she would just need to reactivate her AL license. Letting her license expire doesn't mean she can never have an active license in AL again. Why pay renewal fees for a license you don't intend to use?

I know someone who graduated in MA and then moved to NH and let her MA license expire. When she got recruited to be a nurse manager in MA, she said it was super easy to reactivate her MA license.

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