RN license expires 6 months after issue?

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Hi everybody, I just passed my NCLEX in Maryland and received my license number 3 days after taking it. Which I thought was odd since a lot of my friends who had taken it last week haven't gotten theirs license numbers yet. But issue date is 6/14/2019 and expiration is 12/28/2019, none of my friends that have gotten their licenses have this problem, they're all 2 years. So should I be concerned? Should I wait a week and see if it was a typo or something? Or call and get this figured out.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Many states have a system where licenses all expire on a certain date. In my state, it's either April 30th or October 31st and is determined by your date of birth. Which also determines if you expire in an odd or even year. So most likely you were the unfortunate one who expires in December of odd years. My first license was only good for 14 months despite the state having a 2 year renewal period. You can always call and ask for clarification, but most likely it's accurate.

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Specializes in NICU.

It is possible that your state has even and renewal years depending on your last name. If your last name is in the first half of the alphabet it renews on the even years. If your last name is in the last half of the alphabet it renews in the odd years.

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But my friends who have similar last names or are close in the alphabet still have 2 years on their license. I understand they do it by birthday but this seems like a scam to have mine randomly be 6 months to expire. Nursing school and the NCLEX were expensive enough, come on. ?

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In my state, people who are born in an even number year renew during even numbered years, those born in odd numbered years renew in odd numbered years.

Your state may have a similar system that results in some first time licensees having to renew earlier than others.

I seriously doubt this is some kind of "scam." It could be a mistake, but let's not immediately assume that you are a victim of a conspiracy while all of your friends are somehow being left alone.

Just contact your BON and ask about it.

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Specializes in CCRN, Geriatrics.

I would contact the bon to avoid paying any additional fees it sounds like an error was made while processing your license number. It doesn't make sense to pay a fee for licensing twice in one year. Don't wait until its too late to contact them i would do so immediately

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Specializes in Educator.

Just as a previous post stated, some BON's issue licenses based on your birth month and year, it has nothing to do with your last name. It is quite common for your license to expire shortly after it is issued the first year. Unfortunately, there is no pro-rated fee for the shortened license term. This will only apply for the first time after you renew you will have the complete 2 year term. I agree, it seems like a money-maker, but it is what it is...

Check with your BON if you are concerned they made a mistake, but I doubt it.

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Mine expired 4 months after I got the first one. Very annoying.

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Yeah I called and they told me because of my birth date, month and year I just got unlucky. ?

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