multi-state licensure, how feasible?

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Hi, I was just approved for my RN license after an 8 year break . As of July 1 I will have my RN license activated in the state of Hawaii. I travel often to Arizona to see family and my older son, and I also visit California often.

Hypothetically, could I have three licenses in three different states ? In the past I have worked mostly thru agency so I will probably continue that for now. Ideally I would like to work for a few months in Hawaii and in various other places (AZ and CA).

Does anyone else carry multiple licenses? is this allowed? (I understand it is probably up to the individual state board of nursing..in this case my primary residence would be Hawaii)

thanks in advance, am excited to be back

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.
Hi, I was just approved for my RN license after an 8 year break . As of July 1 I will have my RN license activated in the state of Hawaii. I travel often to Arizona to see family and my older son, and I also visit California often.

Hypothetically, could I have three licenses in three different states ? In the past I have worked mostly thru agency so I will probably continue that for now. Ideally I would like to work for a few months in Hawaii and in various other places (AZ and CA).

Does anyone else carry multiple licenses? is this allowed? (I understand it is probably up to the individual state board of nursing..in this case my primary residence would be Hawaii)

thanks in advance, am excited to be back

It is feasible and it is allowed. I've been licensed in 3 different states myself although only 2 at one time. If you are willing to jump through the individual hoops of each states' BON then go for it. Also look into compact state licensure which allows you to be licensed in one state and work in a different state without having to obtain a separate license.

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As far as I know, you can simultaneously have a license in every state in the union if you so choose -- just as long as you are willing to pay the fees and jump through the hoops of each individual state's BON.

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Specializes in ED, Hyperbarics, EMS.
As far as I know, you can simultaneously have a license in every state in the union if you so choose -- just as long as you are willing to pay the fees and jump through the hoops of each individual state's BON.

I think the only exception to this would be if you live in a nursing compact state where you hold a license. Your home state license is then good in all other compact states and I don't think you are supposed to get a license in the other compact states. Of course, that is mostly theoretically, because I don't think any state BON isn't going to take your money if you offer it, even if you're not "supposed to".

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You can carry as many state licenses as you're willing to pay for. The only exception is the NLC (compact) states -- apparently, they have started voiding the previous compact state license if you move to a new compact state (originally, the "old" license just lost its compact privileges and became a "regular" license good only in that state). But, outside of the compact, you can hold as many licenses as you want. Since each state regulates nursing practice within its own borders, independently of all the other states, the state BONs have no interest in how many other licenses you have -- just in whether you've ever lost a license or been otherwise disciplined in another state.

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Specializes in Emergency, Psych.

I have the same question! I too live in Hawaii and am considering multi-state licensure once I pass NCLEX. When I moved to Hawaii with my LVN from CA, I just had to pay a fee to obtain H. licensure. I'm told by my classmates who have investigated that the same is true for RN, just pay up the $$$ and you can obtain dual licensure. Of course the CAHI board can clarify for sure.

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