Question - Moving to CO & Need Advice About Licensure

[bossynurse101]

HELP! Ok so we are going to move to CO in a couple of months & I plan to apply for licensure by endorsement. I currently hold a FL RN license and have an "exemption" for a 25 year old felony conviction. I recently realized that I will not be able to apply the CO license until I have a permanent CO address. Since we are moving out there and plan to spend the first couple of months in temporary housing until we find a home we like, it may be a couple of months before we have a permanent address. My question is this, I won't be able to work without my CO license obviously and this may take an extended amount of time given my "exemption" circumstances. I have no idea and can not get a live person on the phone to ask. I was planning to start working within a couple of months of moving out there but gosh, given this information who knows how long it might take? I am the major bread winner of our family and this may be a total gamble now. . . . Any advice from the ALLNURSES community (or reassurance) would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU in advance :)

[ClearBlueOctoberSky]

I would just use your temporary housing address. I think what they infer by "permanent" is that you are actually living in Colorado, and not using something like a PO Box for your address. You are also able to receive a license by endorsement and still maintain Florida as your state of residence.

Once you have moved here and in permanent residence, then see about changing your license.

The Colorado website is Department of Regulatory Agencies Home Page.

Go to the right side of the page, click on licensing-requirements, and you should be able to navigate from there. It is my opinion that you should try to find the information first on the website, and use calling as a last resort.

I hope this helps, unless it is different due to your current exemption.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Will move to the CO forum for more state-specific answers.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

From the DORA web site I think you have a good handle on your situation. You will need to declare your felony and it will require review. I can't say how long this will take. They do make special mention that you should not make major life decisions on whether you will get a CO license. I doubt they would deny you but I would speak to someone there before you move. Or, plan on a getting a non nursing job to start, unless you have beaucoup money saved up. Good luck.