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Discussion

Licensing in compact states

Hello,

I have my LPN license in the state of Hawaii. I passed the NCLEX-PN under what is called a partial RN, because I had completed enough RN credits.

I now live in Tennessee and they (along with the other compact states) require that in order to have your license endorsed here, you must have completed a PN program and attach a copy of your diploma. Since I did not attend a PN program, I was told by an employee of the board over the phone that I am not eligible to become an LPN in this state or any of the other compact states.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Luckily I am working under my Medical Assistant certification, but I am crushed that I can't be an LPN here. ='(

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    • Expert

    Is this "partial RN" program something unique to Hawaii? CA is another state that has a couple of pathways to LVN and RN licensure that are unique to CA, and people licensed via those pathway cannot endorse those licenses into any other state because those individuals don't meet the educational requirements for licensure in any other state. This sounds like a similar situation. I doubt it has anything to do with TN being a compact state -- I'm guessing it's simply because you don't meet the TN educational requirements for licensure.

  • Quote
    • Expert

    I'm sorry you can't get licensed in TN. But each state's BON sets its own requirements for licensure, and if you don't meet those requirements you don't get licensed--it doesn't matter if you hold 1 or 50 other licenses (everyone forgets DC).

    California specifically indicates on the BVNPT website that LVNs who get licensed through the challenge pathways may not be able to endorse their LVN license to other states because of other states' educational requirements. I'm surprised Hawaii didn't make that clear on their website for this type of LVN license.

  • Quote

    This is pretty normal. Each state BON has its own regulations on licensing. The compact states all have similar/same requirements, hence why your home state license can be used in any of them. I live in a compact state and the 2 ways to LPN here are to either complete an LPN program, or complete the first 2 semesters of the RN program, then take a "bridge" program that is 2 mos long and covers the remaining requirements for LPN licensure. Sorry you can't use your license because that does suck, but that info should have been made clear by the Hawaii BON when getting your license.

  • Quote

    You would not be eligible for NJ, TX, NE UT and other states that only accept graduates of PN programs. This is not unique. You can finish your RN program or attend a PN program. I do recall reading somewhere that part of the NLC as entry to practice had to be the same. I looked at a few compact states (TX, NE, UT, MD & obviously you know about TN) and they all only license graduates of PN school as LPNs. No alternate pathway. Probably one of the (I'm sure many) reasons CA isn't a part of the NLC.

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