License in 2 states at same time?

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Hi,

I am going to school in one state but will be moving after I graduate and pass the NCLEX here. I will be moving somewhere that I will be right on a state line between 2 states. Is it possible to have 2 or 3 licenses at the same time? The state I am currently in and then get one in each of the other 2 since its on a state boarder? or will I have to choose just 1? What exactly is a "multi-state license" and how do I go about getting one? The state I am going to get my license in and the state I will be moving to are not compact states, but the 3rd one, just a walk over the state line is a compact state.

Thanks

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You can have as many licenses as you wish to pay for.

These States are in the "Nurse Licensure Compact" or "Multi State Licensure"

Holding a license in one of these States allows you to practice in any of them.

Arizona

Arkansas

Colorado

Delaware

Idaho

Iowa

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Mexico

North Carolina

North Dakota

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Wisconsin

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Think of it like a drivers license. If you live in a compact state listed above, you can go work in any other compact state on your home license, but you're subject to the laws of the state in which you practice. **With non compact states you need a license in the state in which you work.** All 50 states use the same license exam, so once you pass the NCLEX exam, you can work in any state. Some are just going to make you pay more for it. Hope that helps clarify it.

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So what the deal with california? If I get my license here, since it is not on the compact list then I just have to pay a fee to use it in another state right? I wont have to sit for the nclex again.. right? Thank you for this post I was wondering the same thing. :)

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

No, you won't have to sit the NCLEX as long as you keep a valid license. If your home state-say California- isn't on the compact list then yes, you will need another license to work in another state. If you are going back to CA soon you might want to keep it up, if not, then see if they will let you be inactive for a year or so and not pay.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

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So what the deal with California? If I get my license here, since it is not on the compact list then I just have to pay a fee to use it in another state right? I wont have to sit for the nclex again.. right? Thank you for this post I was wondering the same thing. :)

California is not in the NLC because of the inability of the State to control/alter out of State licenses nor control the educational standards of other States.

Goes back to the US Constitution, 10th Amendment.

A State cannot tell another State what to do is the basics of it. Along those lines a State cannot alter or revoke a license granted by another State. If you posses an out of State license while practicing in a foreign State and commit a punishable infraction then the most that host State can do is bar you from practicing in that particular State, unacceptable by the California BRN.

Other issue too is that other State's educational requirements to be a Registered Nurse may not meet the requirements set by California. For example some States do not require clinicals, or may not require enough hours. (The Excelsior debacle)

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thank you so much for the california information. sorry to rnstudent2011 for kinda hijacking your thread... :hugs:

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As a former travel nurse, I held 5 different state licenses at once. You have to pay for it some states charge different fees. Aditionally, most have different CEU requirements that must be met.

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Just out of curiosity, if you live in a non-compact state and get a second license in a compact state, are you then allowed to practice in other compact states without getting further licenses?

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I think it has something to do with the state you are originally licensed in. but to answer your question, i don't know. Check with your BON.

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Just out of curiosity, if you live in a non-compact state and get a second license in a compact state, are you then allowed to practice in other compact states without getting further licenses?

Doesn't matter where you live or where you were originally licensed, only matters where you are currently working.

Only NLC States will accept other NLC State licenses. You can have several NLC licenses and several non NLC licenses.

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I think it has something to do with the state you are originally licensed in. but to answer your question, i don't know. Check with your BON.

I'll check with them if I ever need to. I'm just curious at this point. But thanks for anwering. :)

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