Relocating-and takin' my license with me!

dishes, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2009

So here's the dilemma! Will be moving to AZ in a couple months. I have looked at the AZBN website to see what I need to do for a seamless and smooth license transfer. It looks like I have to apply first, already having a local address. I don't have a local address yet! I might just use my mom's.

It looks like in your excitement to relocate, you are willing to set aside your sense of integrity. I suggest you refind your integrity and think about how it will look to the BON and future employers when they discover you are willing to lie for the sake of your own convenience.

dishes

GeauxNursing · Dec 29, 2009

What on earth are you talking about?? I see nothing wrong with providing my mom's address. If I find my apartment and know my new address by then, I put down that one. What's wrong with that? I just don't see why you're so offended by my suggestion. And also, how dare you use such a personal attack against me, you don't know me enough to question my integrity?

Very uncalled for.

GeauxNursing · Dec 29, 2009

Fraudulent use of my mother's address would be for purposes of getting in-state, in-county tuition for a class, sure. But supplying a local address for purposes of getting mail correspondence until I establish a permanent residence? Not so much. I'm sorry, I just don't see it.

mamamerlee, LPN · Dec 29, 2009

Whoa, dishes, that was harsh. Many people stay with friends or relatives when they first move. Although I may not do this myself, I would not call Geaux's integrity into question like that. Most states do not require you to live there before you apply. I pre-applied before I moved to 4 different states.

Geaux - you may just want to wait 'til you get there, and see if you can go in person to the BON. Otherwise, you will be sending all the mail thru your mom's house, both coming and going. Best wishes!

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Dec 29, 2009

i dont see anything wrong with using your moms address..your intention is to move there, and you need an address to receive mail...where is the lack of integrity..that was silly

chare · Dec 29, 2009

texas and arizona are both member states of the nursing licensure compact. if you are licensed in a compact state, and your license grants you multi-state privileges, then you can not be licensed in any of the other compact states.

a multi-state license under the nursing licensure compact works similar to a driver's license. as long as you maintain legal residency in the state of issue, then your multi-state license would allow you to work in any of the other participating states. just as with your driver's license, you can not legally possess more than one multi-state license.

if you relocate from a member state, what happens to license depends upon where you relocate.

for example, if you relocate from texas to georgia (non-compact state) then your texas license would convert to a single state license only good in texas, and you would need to be licensed in georgia prior to working as an rn.

in your example, if you relocate from texas to arizona (compact state) and change your legal residency to arizona you can continue to work for 30 days on your texas license. this should provide you enough time to apply for licensure in arizona and obtain a temporary arizona license. when you apply for licensure in arizona your texas license will be inactivated.

if you applied for an arizona license using your mother's address while simultaneously maintaining a multi-state license using your texas address, this might lead to problems with endorsement application. you might try contacting someone at the arizona state board of nursing - home for further guidance or suggestions with your specific situation.

if you have questions you might find answers at either the national council of state boards of nursing (ncsbn) nurse licensure compact faq pdf or ncsbn nursing licensure compact administrators' faq web page.

good luck, and i hope this information was helpful. :specs:

newway · Dec 29, 2009

what is so wrong with using her moms address. its not like OP is trying to collect welfare. just having a mailing address to send it to

Jami RN, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2009

I relocated to AZ a few years ago. It is actually very easy to get your license once you relocate. Set aside a day to go to the AZ BON office (central downtown Phx), stand in line to get your information and finger print card, take the finger print card to an office a few blocks away (they'll give you instructions), pay a few dollars for the prints, take it back, stand in line again, and you'll get your temp license.

Other than the frustration of running back and forth and standing in line, it's an easy process. Like I said, don't plan anything else that day and take a good book or something else to do, be patient and you'll be fine. The offices are easy to find and the place that does fingerprints is friendly and efficient.

Jami

GeauxNursing · Dec 29, 2009

Thanks, Jami!

Lacie, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2009

I am licensed in 3 different states and applied for endorsement before I moved in the former 2. I gave my out of state address with no problem. I included a letter that I was relocating and had no in-state address at that time. It was never an issue. Yes you can use your mothers address for a temporary local in order to get your licensure in another state. I always had my license in hand and another job lined up before I moved. In fact my initial state of licensure and the second state (Ky, PA) have my Fl address on them. Shouldnt be an issue.

>30yrsRN · Dec 30, 2009

A lot of travelers RN do this to in CA also.