Noncompact to Compact- Please HELP

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Hey all,

I'm new here so I hope this is in the right place. I have been scouring the internet, making phone calls (NO ONE ANSWERS) and I can't get a for sure definitive answer that I desperately need.

I am moving from Florida (noncompact) to Mississippi (compact).

Do I need to declare my primary residency in Mississippi? How can I keep my primary residency in Florida (I know you can have your primary residency in a different state)?

Also, if I have to declare primary residency in Mississippi, does this mean I apply for a multistate license or a regular single state license? More importantly, does this mean I lose my Florida license, or can I keep it?

No one answers their phones and the ones that do know nothing!

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Any reason to why keep primary residence in Florida? My understanding if you do this them you will not be issued a compact license as residence is not in a compact state.

You can keep as many licenses in different states as long as you meet any renewal requirements like CEU's and pay fees. Many travel nurses have different licenses in different states

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Do I need to declare my primary residency in Mississippi? How can I keep my primary residency in Florida (I know you can have your primary residency in a different state)?

For all practical purposes, when you make a permanent (or long term) relocation to another state, you are changing your primary state of residency. At some point in time, and I am unsure of the time required, you are going to be required to obtain a driver's license and register your vehicle in the new state. And you are definitely going to be filing and paying income tax on income you earn in Mississippi.

As far as keeping Florida as your primary state of residency, this is likely not going to happen. If you are active duty military, and Florida is your home of record, then you will be allowed to keep Florida as you primary state of residency.

If you are the dependent spouse of an active duty service member, you might be able to maintain Florida as your primary state of residence. The Military Spouse's Residency Relief Act became effective in 2009. I know that this pertains for tax purpose, but am unsure how this pertains to licensing (driver's, nurses, etc.) purpose.

Also, if I have to declare primary residency in Mississippi, does this mean I apply for a multistate license or a regular single state license? More importantly, does this mean I lose my Florida license, or can I keep it?

When you apply for licensure, if you list Mississippi as your primary state of residence, then you will be issued a license with multi-state privileges. Regardless of which license you obtain, as Silverdragon102 stated, you can maintain your Florida license. The only limitation on the number of nursing license that you can hold is that you can only hold one compact license with multi-state privileges.

However, for many, the benefits of having a license with multi-state privileges are negligible. If you live in northern Mississippi and plan on practicing in either Arkansas or Tennessee, you will find the multi-state privileges useful. Likewise, if you plan on traveling to other compact states, the multi-state privileges will again be beneficial. And, if you relocate from one compact state to another, you can work for 30 days on your current license. Outside of these situations, there really isn't much advantage to a multi-state license.

I wish you the best of luck in your relocation.

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