Renew license in state I don't work in?

[pbajil]

Hi everyone. I have an RN license in 2 states. I literally only worked in the 2nd state for 2 days as an agency nurse. I had thought I was going to be working there more often but I wasn't. I renewed in the 2nd state, just in case I moved and/or wanted to pick up some time over there again. Here I am 2 years later and it's time to renew again. I don't think I want to renew since I am happy at my job right now and don't plan on moving. However, I might need it again at some point. If I do end up moving and needing this other state's license again, is it going to be a process to get a license in that state again? What do I do? Or is it not a big deal to let it run out and then ask to get it again later? I have no problems in my primary state so I don't think it would be a problem. But I'm not sure. Thanks.

[caliotter3]

Make it inactive. For a lesser fee, you can keep it inactive and then, if you need it, you easily reinstate it by paying the fee and reporting the CEUs for that time period.

[pbajil]

Thanks. I forgot about the inactive option. Now I can't decide between inactive and inactive-paid. What is the difference in paying or not when you are inactive? Ayayay.

[caliotter3]

I don't know about that. In my state, you have to pay a reduced fee for the inactive status. If you fail to pay and don't reinstate the license within four years, your license will expire and guess what? After the four year mark you have to apply for a new license and take the NCLEX again. That is why it is important to go inactive (if one only deals with one state).

[FancypantsRN]

Yes, but as long as you keep one active license (if you have multiple) then you should be fine from what I understand.

[pbajil]

Thanks everyone. I am active in my home state and now inactive in the other. I do have questions on he inactive vs inactive-paid options. Will look on the local board for that one I guess.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I wonder about the "take the NCLEX again" comment. Every state has reciprocity with all the others. Even those who are not compact states will accept the fact you are licensed already, (meaning you took NCLEX at some point) so really only need to meet current state qualifications (documentation and $). I have not heard of repeating NCLEX.

[caliotter3]

Repeat the NCLEX is for someone who lets their license expire in their home state. No state is going to accept an expired license for reciprocity. As long as the OP keeps one license current, this should not apply to her. The information was provided in response to her seeming lack of knowledge of the process to make a license inactive. In my state if your license has not been made inactive, it will not exist after you have let it expire after the passage of four years. That is my state. Maybe other states don't have licenses expire for lack of renewal.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Caliotter3 - thanks for clarification.

The original post may want to talk to BON in state she is not working in to learn process for being classified inactive and how to renew that if needed. I dropped my first license as that state did not have an inactive status (they might now, it was years ago). I did not see the point in paying for two as I was not returning and, if I did, would just do the documentation over.

[caliotter3]

I got the impression that she was not aware of the inactive option. There are people who hold multiple licenses but they apparently can afford all of them.