null/void license

[foghornfan]

i appreciate any input you have to offer. i let my lpn lapse about 7 years ago. my husband was diagnosed with lou gerhig's and we hit a financial hardship when he was taken out of work, so when my license came due, i did not have the money to renew. i've just now recently got my head above water financially and a friend has talked me into pursuing renewing my license. a fellow nurse friend seems to think that with the shortage of nurses, it may be as simple us updating ceu's and paying a steep renewal fine. i called tallahassee and they said i wouldn't need a refresher course and may not have to retake the n-clex but that would be the worst case scenario. they are sending me an application. i fear needing to take the n-clex again. does anyone know of someone else that this happened to and of the hurdles required to renew. thank you so much for your time.

[caliotter3]

In my state if you do not keep your license renewed or place it in an inactive status, after four years it is revoked and you have to start over (except for nursing school). The person that you talked to at your board should have been able to give you a definitive answer on whether you have to retake the NCLEX. Hope it is nothing more than reapplying and paying fees. Good luck.

[rn/writer, RN]

The only way you will find out accurate information is to contact the Board of Nursing for your state. Here is a link:

Boards of Nursing? Where can I find them?

Every state is different. Check yours out, and let us know what you find.

Good luck.