Licenses in more than one state

Hi All,

I am a newbie to online forums.

I have a quick question.

I hold a Maryland RN license and am currently practicing.

My license is currently active.

I was planning to move to Illinois for personal reasons.

I was getting ready to apply for an endorsement in the state of Illinois and obtain a license there.

My question is -

1. If i get my license in Illinois approved, will that automatically cancel my current Maryland license?

2. Are nurses allowed to practice in more than one state?

3. And are there any state-specific rules that would disable me hold licenses in both MD and IL states at the same time?

Thanks in advance :wink2:

I don't know specifics for Maryland and Illinois, but I hold licenses in 2 states right now. I work and live in Tennessee but do a summer camp in West Virginia in the summers. So i think if you get an Illinois license, your Maryland license will be active as long as you keep it renewed.

i know nurses who live on bordering states who work both states and i also know traveling nurses who have to have multiple licensing

I hold an active LPN license in both NY and FL. I attended nursing school in NY and relocated to Florida. When my NY license came up for renewal I renewed it. I doubt I'll ever return to work there, but I do plan on keeping it.

I am an LPN with two state licenses. I live in PA and near border of OH. My original license was in PA, and I was endorsed in OH. I did let my PA lapse while working in OH. However, it was very easy to get it re-activated again. Actually, I even had my OH license placed on inactive status for about two years. There was a time that I did not believe that I would ever return to nursing due to health issues. However, I am stable now and just had both of my licenses re-activated. Since, I have been seeking a nursing job and not sure what state, I re-activated both of them. I think that I will keep both of them active, regardless of where I work. And, my goal now is to take refresher course and work HH/Agency/Private Duty. So, two state licenses would be great! My PA license is only $40 for two years.

hi all,

i am a newbie to online forums.

i have a quick question.

i hold a maryland rn license and am currently practicing.

my license is currently active.

i was planning to move to illinois for personal reasons.

i was getting ready to apply for an endorsement in the state of illinois and obtain a license there.

my question is -

1. if i get my license in illinois approved, will that automatically cancel my current maryland license?

no. your md license will remain in effect until its expiration, at which time you either need to renew it or make it inactive.

2. are nurses allowed to practice in more than one state?

yes. no limit on this.

3. and are there any state-specific rules that would disable me hold licenses in both md and il states at the same time?

thanks in advance :wink2:

no. one bit of advice. il is notoriously slow in processing licenses by endorsement. i would recommend applying well in advance of the time you will need the license.

You can be licensed in as many states as you like. You do have to keep up with whatever their renewal requirements are, and pay to renew of course. Google "nursing compact states" and see what you come up with. Many state licenses are good in other states and it may save you from paying renewal fees. As a travel nurse, it saves lots of money and hassle.