Newbie Question Re: License Portability

[kimsnothome]

My apologies if this is a question asked frequently, I couldn't find anything on my search.

I will be graduating next year and plan to work a year in med/surg before applying to any travel recruiter. Although I will be licensed in Florida, how does one travel from state to state? Do you need to get licensed in every state you want to travel in or is your license portable from state to state once you've got it?

Thanks in advance!

[nightingale, RN]

Here is an interesting website that addresses what Nurses need to do when they practice in a different state then their orginating state. Basically, you get another Nurse License. Often, the Travel Agency will pay for it (not voluntarily but you can negotiate that).

http://www.ncsbn.org/

Try the different pages on this site for further info. Also, there is info regarding Compact States in which you can get one license, if your home state qualifies (unfortuantely, Florida is not a Compact State), and use that same license in some specific states.

Compact State Info:

http://www.ncsbn.org/nlc/index.asp

I hope that helps for starters... welcome to the wonderful world of Travel Nursing.

[kimsnothome]

Thank you both for the information! So, once I pass NCLEX and get my FL licence, am I correct in assuming that generally speaking, licensure in most other states would be a paperwork formality? (i.e.: filling out the forms, providing my documentation and paying the fee)

Thank you!

Basically, you get another Nurse License. Often, the Travel Agency will pay for it (not voluntarily but you can negotiate that).

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Something people also need to think about is with compact state licenses one needs to "reside" in that state. Each state has its own rules as what they require for one to be a resident. The federal (US) goverment has its own rules as well. One needs to use care to make sure they maintain that residency.

RJ