Re: AZ & NH are both compact states, what gives?

elkpark · Sep 2, 2008

There is a lot of confusion about the nurse licensure compact and "compact licenses." They are intended to make it easier for nurses to work in other states, but not to live in other states.

The easiest way to think about it is that compact nursing licenses work exactly like your driver's license. The only reason we're able to drive cross-country without having to stop and apply for a new license at each state border is because, many years ago, all the states got together and signed a compact agreeing to recognize each other's licenses. If you want to drive through another state, or in another state, on a temporary basis, you are legally able to do so -- but if you move to another state, you have 30 or 60 or however many days the state law specifies to apply for a new driver's license in your new home state. You can't just keep driving indefinitely on your old license.

The nursing licensure compact works the same way. As long as you maintain your permanent residence in your "home" state, you can use your nursing license to work in other compact states. However, if you move to another compact state, your license loses its compact privileges and you have to apply for a license in your "new" state to be able to work there.

nursecass · Sep 2, 2008

I was having the same problems! I actually got licensed in AZ, and have moved to NM thinking I was covered. But recently it has been explained to me the way that elkpark has said, and so I'll have to pay for another license. Unfortunately if you are planning on staying more than 6 months (I think) in another state you still have to go through all the licensing issues. :banghead:

The worst part for me was that I tried to get a NM license right out of school, since I knew I was moving and would not work in AZ, and when I called the NMBON they told me that I could just get my AZ license and it would be fine because they weren't sure of how to allow an out of state student take NCLEX in a different state and get a NM license. But that would be the joys of NM...absolutely incompetent! (It has taken me 8 months of living here to get 2 people to tell me the same thing at the BON-everyone here has a different opinion on what you have to do. :rolleyes: )

FromNH2VAwherenext · Sep 2, 2008

Thanks for the advice everyone. Guess I'll be shellin' out some dough even if I don't plan on living here too long (maybe 2-5 years). They gotcha comin' and goin'. So much for compact states making it easier to move!

:crying2:

elkpark · Sep 3, 2008

So much for compact states making it easier to move!

Again, the point of the nursing licensure compact was never to make it easier to move -- it is solely about being able to work in a state other than your "home" state.