Not paying license renewal fees on time (random thoughts)

[WereBadger]

Here in Oregon we get a 90 day notice via email -- I actually just got mine yesterday, and it took me all of 10 minutes to renew online (including the five minutes it took me to figure out where I left my wallet and liberate my credit card). I can definitely think of a few things I'd rather do with the $158 fee, but considering it's only $6.50 a month I'm not terribly bothered.

[NurseStorm, BSN, RN]

WOW yours is cheap. Ours are like $450-500 annually :/ Although I have never known anyone to let their license lapse in the 4 years I've been an RN. Our union sends reminder emails.

[midgeypoo, LPN]

Over the years I've known several nurses who allowed their nursing licensure to temporarily lapse due to not paying the renewal fee on time. This phenomenon has always interested me for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the renewal fee in the state where I live is $67 once every two years. In other words, it is $33.50 annually when broken down. This amount of money would not seem like a steep economic hurdle to climb for most middle-income nurses.

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Hi Commuter:

In Ohio, our fees are approx. 68.00/every 2 years (don't quote me on the exact amount).

When I became sick and unsure of when I could return to work my notice came in the mail to renew my license. I thought (why? I can't work and not sure if I'll ever work - seems like such a waste of money.) Plus I had no real income at that time either.

I went on the BON's site and looked up my license and in searching various options I found one that gave several choices such as "active, retired, inactive, suspended". The "inactive" option was to put your license on hold (and the nice part of doing so was you aren't required to do the CEU's and/or pay the fees. I think when you are ready to return to "active status" you then are required to do a certain amount of CEU's and of course would then also pay your fees at that time.

I did not want to risk jeopardizing my hard earned license so before choosing the "inactive" status I was sure to write to the Board and ask them how that worked.

The fact remains, I'll never be able to work and now I'm on total disability. But I feel good that at least I maintained my License (inactive or not).

I would think other states also have this option - did you check your state's website ?

Letting my license lapse is "not an option" - no reason for it.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

WOW yours is cheap. Ours are like $450-500 annually :/ Although I have never known anyone to let their license lapse in the 4 years I've been an RN. Our union sends reminder emails.

$450 - $500 JUST for license renewal, or does this include union dues?

[midgeypoo, LPN]

Ok, addition to original post: I was wrong. I looked on the Boards website and there is no way to change status by the Licensure Verification section. Then it came to me....I was looking at my paper renewal bill (back in spring) and I'm pretty sure the option to change status was there. Just for the record.

[bfredd71]

I can't believe this. Keeping my license active is like breathing to me. After being an RN for well over 35 yrs. , practicing in several states, it has never been a problem to keep a current license because it is part of who we are. I guess if you don't have that same feeling ..that it's not even a job to you let alone part of your person , then it's easy to forget or not have the time to put it first. Some nurses are just not what they use to be...I guess

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

In my state, you renew in even numbered years if you were born during an even numbered year, and renew in the odd numbered year if your birth year was an odd number. You have until the end of the month you were born to get it done. It's easy for me to remember now that I realized the method to their madness.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In my state, you renew in even numbered years if you were born during an even numbered year, and renew in the odd numbered year if your birth year was an odd number. You have until the end of the month you were born to get it done. It's easy for me to remember now that I realized the method to their madness.

I suppose we are both in the Lone Star State. :)

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I suppose we are both in the Lone Star State. :)

Yep!