Need advice/help! Confusion w compact state license!

[HelenDeed, ADN, BSN, LPN]

Hey all!

First off, I’m fully aware that keeping my license in good standing is 100% my responsibility. But I got myself into a little predicament and needing some advice lol.

Currently I have an multistate AZ RN license in good standing. I moved to TX middle of last year, and did not apply for a Texas license. I do have a Texas drivers license and am renting here for the last six months. I was told by my new employer in TX that I did not have to apply for TX license since I have a multistate license. I was hired recently at a new job in TX and had no problem being hired with my AZ compact state license.

I am now seeing that I should have applied for a Texas license within the first 30 days of employment in the state!! I will be moving in a 10 weeks.. either staying in TX or to FL (another compact state). I would love some advice on how to best deal with this situation. Will I get in trouble now if I apply for Texas license? What are the consequences?

As a single mom of three little ones I cannot afford to not be working. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[chare]

Regardless of whether you stay in TX or move on to FL, you are going to have to update your license, and it might be best to first endorse to TX. Obviously, if you remain in TX you need an active TX license. If you end up relocating to FL it might seem easier to endorse to FL, however, if you attempt to endorse an AZ license, with a TX address, this might be problematic. I'm somewhat surprised, actually, that your employer allowed this when you started your most recent position.

If you haven't recently done so, you need to verify that your AZ license is still active, and still provides multi-state privileges. If your address was updated with the AZ BON, either by you or the USPS ifnyou had any correspondence from the AZ BON forwarded it could have affected its status.

As for consequences, only the AZ and TX BON can say.

Best wishes.

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Per the compact:

403. CHANGE IN PRIMARY STATE OF RESIDENCE (1) A nurse who changes his or her primary state of residence from one party state to another party state may continue to practice under the existing multistate license while the nurse’s application is processed and a multistate license is issued in the new primary state of residence. (2) Upon issuance of a new multistate license, the former primary state of residence shall deactivate its multistate license held by the nurse and provide notice to the nurse. (3) If a party state verifies that a licensee who holds a multistate license changes primary state of residence to a non-party state, the party state shall convert the multistate license to a single state license within fifteen (15) calendar days, and report this conversion to the Coordinated Licensure Information System.

If you move from one compact state to another compact state, you're still supposed to transfer your license, but they're a lot more forgiving than if you moved outside the compact.

Google is a wonderful thing...

[HelenDeed, ADN, BSN, LPN]

Thank you for all the input! Yes I’ve googled. I guess I was wondering more if / what the consequence is of me not endorsing to a TX license without the time limit. Guess I’m just a little nervous to see what will happen! Like I said, I can’t afford to be out of work.

[MemphisRN, ASN, BSN, MSN]

You moved your permanent residence from AZ to TX. You were supposed to get your license endorsed in Texas. Here is the regulation from the Texas BON. If I was in your shoes I would apply for endorsement today. I would need to be real careful of the perception of intent. If I had been in TX for 8 months practicing on a AZ license with no permanent residence in AZ I would apply for endorsement and get that home state in TX. If I was going to move to FL I would get my home state 2 months in advance. I found the BONs in TN and FL to be very cooperative. I think they are a little more flexible due to the compact license. When I asked the TN BON about how soon I could work under my FL home state they told me "today!" LOL! Relax, just go through the proper channels. You are working from a position of fear instead of one of knowledge. Get the knowledge and then deal with the issue. Good luck!

Article 4. Application for License in a Party State.

(a) Once an application for a license is submitted, the licensing board in a party state shall ascertain, through the coordinated licensure information system, whether:
(1) the applicant has held or is the holder of a license issued by another state;
(2) a restriction exists on the multistate licensing privilege; and
(3) any other adverse action by any state has been taken against the license.

(b) A nurse in a party state shall hold a license that is issued by the home state in only one party state at a time.

(c) A nurse who intends to change the nurse’s primary state of residence may apply for a license in the new home state in advance of the change. However, a new license will not be issued by a party state until a nurse provides satisfactory evidence to the new home state’s licensing board of a change in the nurse’s primary state of residence.

(d) When a nurse changes the nurse’s primary state of residence by moving from:
(1) a party state to another party state and obtains a license from the new home state, the license from the former home state is no longer
valid;
(2) a non-party state to a party state and obtains a license from the new home state, the individual state license issued by the
non-party state is not affected and remains in full force if provided by the laws of the non-party state; and
(3) a party state to a non-party state, the license issued by the prior home state converts to a state license valid only in the
former home state and does not entitle the nurse to the multistate licensing privilege to practice in other party states.

[HelenDeed, ADN, BSN, LPN]

Thank you @Memphis_RN ! I have started the paperwork today, and will call BON on Monday morning. I guess I am just nervous of them telling me I won’t be able to work for any amount of time. Crossing my fingers this doesn’t happen. I’ve moved multiple times in the past 8 years and have always been careful with my license. A new baby, school, etc threw me off my kilter this year. I appreciate all of the input!