License Renewal Reminders

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Do you think Professional nurses should be personally accountable for the renewal of their licenses? How much do you appreciate reminder letters from your employers? Does your employer suspend you without pay, demote you, or issue any other discipline if you allow your license to expire? OR does your facility allow nurses to work with an expired license?

It is my understanding that it is against the Nurse Practice Act to allow your nursing license to expire and you can get disciplined by the Board if you allow it to expire for prolonged periods.

With all this said, I am still amazed at how some nurses wait until the last minute to renew their licenses.

What are your thoughts?

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I have always gotten a notice about 2 months in advance..I doubt I would ever be late since our state has a 100.00 late fee!!

As far as facilities I have worked for, all of them send nurses home and they are not allowed back until they have been renewed..several nurses I know have been written up for allowing their licenses to lapse. I would imagine it would be a big liability to allow a nurse to work since for intensive purposes they would not be licensed..Erin

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I know TX has made it very accessible to renew your license...you can do it online! 24/7!

All places I have worked will not let you work if your license is not up to date.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

For seventeen years now, I've always received reminder letters at least two months prior to the date my license is due for renewal..........which I GREATly appreciate. :nurse:

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I know!! Every year it comes and every year I think, "Oh that is right I have to renew"...You would think I could remember since it is on my Bday!! I am also licensed in a neighboring state..that license is good for 2 yrs. I don't know if it renews on my Bday or not..guess I should probably look.:)

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It's certainly your own responsibility to maintain your own credentials, and by no means should you be allowed to work on an expired license. Just see what happens when you let something as simple as your driver's license expire and the police catch you driving - can you say OUCH!

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The reason I posted this is because I had a discussion the other day with a group of nurse managers. Most agreed that nurses are personally accountable for the renewal of their licenses and their CPR. We disagreed as to whether we should post reminders or put notes in mailboxes, etc. Some would suspend without pay, until the license was renewed. A few would fire the nurse after 7 days of nonrenewal. A few stated they would have the nurse work and get paid as a nursing assistant until renewal.

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I get my reminders from the BON a couple of months before renewal date, and thank goodness for that, because I'm VERY irresponsible with remembering things like that!! I'll admit it. LOL I've never been late to renew (although I've made some quick drives to the state BON the day before my birthday to pay in cash and get my number to stay legal!), and I can certainly understand not being allowed to work if my license expires, but FIRED?? That's a bit much! On another note, the state I work in just started (January 1st) to mandate a criminal background check with EVERY license renewal....every two years for us. That's all well and good, and I actually agree with the idea, BUT we have to pay for it ourselves!! I don't think THAT'S fair! Only 10 bucks, but it's the principle. I have to pay the ten bucks AND go get the stupid paper notarized. I think I should just sign a waiver and let the state do their own background check. Does anyone else think it's unfair to have to pay for your own background check? :confused:

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