Question about holding an RN license in multiple states

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Specializes in Surgical/MedSurg/Oncology/Hospice.

I have been an RN for 6 months and am currently living and working in Michigan. My fiance is a millwright/fabricator who has been out of work for over a year and wants to move out of state asap, not just to improve the chances of finding a job but because he simply hates living here in MI. I am agreeable to moving, but am worried about my being able to find another job in another state, especially since I am still a new grad with

My question is this: can I apply for and receive licensure in other states while still working here in MI, or does my MI license become invalid once I receive the new license? Michigan is not a compact state, and Kansas is one of the places we are considering moving to, which is also not a compact state. So, for example, can I keep working in Michigan until I find another position out-of-state, and still receive licensure from Kansas, Kentucky, etc at the same time, so when I do apply for other positions I am already liscensed in those states?

Thanks in advance for any advice, I really appreciate it! :D

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You can hold license in as many states as you like. I am licensed in Florida (home state) and New Mexico (where I am now)

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Specializes in ED, OR, SAF, Corrections.

I am currently licensed in New York, Texas, California, Nevada, and Washington State and I haven't even lived in the US for the last 3 years. I did travel nursing before working for the Army and plan to do so again when I leave Germany. As long as you maintain your practice in good standing and pay your renewal fees on time, you can become licensed in as many states as you require.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

It is a common misconception that one transfers an RN license. That is not the case. When you receive a license by endorement in a second, third or fourth state, your initial license remains in force. You must either renew it when it comes due, or request a change to inactive status. If you choose to keep it active, you will need to complete the renewal requirements such as notifying the BON of your current address, obtaining CEUs and paying a fee. If you do not wish to maintain an active licene, you can request a change to inactive status. This doesn't cost anything and will keep you in "good standing" with the BON. If you do neither, your license will "lapse." If you ever wish to reinstate a lapsed license, there is usually a hefty fine to pay.

A very wise nursing instructor once advised us to always keep our initial license active. It is the only state that will have your full educational and NCLEX history, which is important when you apply for additional licenses by endorsement, and you will receive more prompt service from the BON if you have an active versus an inactive or lapsed one. I've moved a number of times and have had 6 licenses. I keep my original one and the one in my current state up to date. Others I make inactive when we move.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

I used to keep my original license PA active, however, many years ago placed it with DE, NJ on inactive status. DE is now a compact state, and I live and work in MD. I recently applied for a DC license, my PA license being inactive did NOT affect the time it took to verify my original licensure. 24 states are now part of the Compact, I love that concept and wish that ALL of the US would join. I went to Utah this summer when my daughter had a baby and worked while staying withi her. It was seemless thanks to compact licensure. Just be sure you know what your current licensure Nurse Practice Act allows and do not deviate. Due to the rural nature of Utah LPNs and RNs do things that I am NOT credentialed for in Md. On one occassion the LPN gave me grief about it, but I stood my ground. The only stupid nurse is one who practices outside the limits of her scope of practice as defined by her state's Nurse Practice Act.

Good Luck.

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As the above posters stated, you can be licensed in as many states as you choose.

My advice is to start the licensure process as soon as you decide what state you are going to move to. Some states take awhile to process it, and some states take awhile just to provide verification of your licensure in that specific state. MI required verification from EVERY state I was licensed in, some of the states took 7 weeks to send the verification to MI.

Also, call after a few weeks to make sure that they have all documents required. 2.5 mos into it, MI didn't have my background check. Had I not harrassed them, I would not have known, thus delaying the process further.

Another hint, if you are ever in a compact state, apply for permanent residency there through the BON, this will allow you a compact license. I now have a compact license through AZ, but my original license was in IL.

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Specializes in LTC, Disease Management, smoking Cessati.

Yes you can, contact the BON in the state or states where you may move and find out how to obtain a license there! I hole Ohio(my original) and MI, and Plan on getting NV and Az... in the near future! Good Luck, I understand about getting out of Michigan!!!

Ruthie

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Specializes in Critical Care.

As others have echoed, you can have as many licenses as you wish to pay for and maintain. Inactive status is a good idea if you don't plan on practicing in that particular state for a while. Wherever you decide to go, you may need to keep on the BON in MI to get your documents out to the other states. MI is notorious for either losing paperwork or just not sending it out at all. At one point, I drove to Lansing myself to get a sealed envelope with my necessary paperwork when I was applying to CA BON. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Surgical/MedSurg/Oncology/Hospice.

Thankyou all for the great advice, I'll begin the process of apply for licensure in other states asap! It's a relief knowing that my MI license won't automatically become invalid once I am licensed somewhere else :yeah:

Thanks again, and enjoy the holidays!:jester:

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hi i also have a question do i need to work for a year in the state where i got my license before endorseng it to another state? I just graduated and im from new york but i also want to work in new jersey thanks alot.

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Specializes in Pedi.
hi i also have a question do i need to work for a year in the state where i got my license before endorseng it to another state? I just graduated and im from new york but i also want to work in new jersey thanks alot.

That depends on the state but the simple solution to this is to apply for New Jersey licensure when you take NCLEX. There's no reason to get licensed in New York if you do not have any intention of using that license.

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Hi i was licensed in california and would like to renew and keep my license however i moved to texas how will i be able to renew if i dont live in california anymore? Do i put my texas address on my renewal? jus seems weird to hace a california nursing license with my texas address in the front of it. Or will i have to renew with a california address? i can however jus use my mothers california address. Any feedback from u or any one is appreciated. Long time nurse first time moved out of state.

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