Multistate licensure confusion

[cassie675]

Hi, new nurse here getting ready to graduate!

My post-graduation permanent address is in Kansas, but a majority of the hospitals I'm applying to are on the Missouri side of Kansas City, and I'm planning on taking my NCLEX in Missouri, thus making my license a Missouri license. Is there anything special I need to do if my license is in one state but my permanent residence is in another? And what role does both of those states being compact states play in all of this?

Thanks ahead of time!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Where you take your exam has nothing to do with where your license is issued. The state in which you apply for licensure will determine what state gives you a license. If you want to hold a compact state license, your license must be issued by the state your permanent residence is in. If your residence is in Kansas, you need Kansas to issue your license as a compact license. If you are licensed in Missouri, your license will only be valid for Missouri. You would not be able to hold a license in both states and Kansas will not recognize a Missouri license for you to work in Kansas.

https://www.ncsbn.org/2018_eNLC_FAQs.pdf

[chare]

29 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:

...If your residence is in Kansas, you need Kansas to issue your license as a compact license. If you are licensed in Missouri, your license will only be valid for Missouri. You would not be able to hold a license in both states and Kansas will not recognize a Missouri license for you to work in Kansas.

[...]

A resident of a compact state can not apply for licensure in another compact state; he or she must apply for licensure in the state of residency.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

Where you take your exam is irrelevant - you get a license for the state that you actually applied for. Back in the day I was a resident of Ohio but was able to test sooner if I took the NCLEX in Kentucky, which is what I did - my license was for Ohio though since that is the paperwork I filled out.